TOPIC:

A recent acquisition to the collection.

2156 John William Rouse West Yorkshire Regiment.

John was born in the parish of Acomb which is a district on the outskirts of York in 1870
He signed his attestation papers in York on 21st January 1888 and was enlisted with the West Yorkshire Regiment.
At the time John was listed as 18 years of age and his trade was Striker.
A physical description is given as 5ft 6" and weighing 124lbs not a large man as normal with the times.
John's religious denomination was Church of England.
His family had moved further into the city of York and the Street still stands today adjacent to the Railway museum


John spent the first three years of his service on Home duty until in 1891 he was posted to India.
During his time in India which lasted nearly five years he gained two promotions and ended as a Corporal.
John returned home but then was recalled to Army service on 9th October 1899 when he ventured to South Africa with the 2nd Battalion.
He was involved in the action at Willow Grange on 23th November 1899 were he was wounded.



He is listed as G.Rouse on the casualty roll.
In WO100/175 Corporal Rouse is confirmed with the clasps OFS Transvaal Tugela Heights RoL and Laings Nek this is his only entitlement.
In the remarks it states "To England 29.11.00

John by the age of 29 had moved further North to Darlington Co.Durham to Chandos Street where is house still survives.





John stayed in the area and spent his last days in Darlington at Aldam Street again still existing.




I have read a little about the fight at Willow Grange and it seems an iconic action with the West Yorkshire's heavily involved.
Any comments are most welcome and thank you for looking.






Paul

Hi Paul

I have looked forward to this post and I have not been disappointed. Thank you for an excellent account of Rouse.

I first got to know about the Battle of Willow Grange when I lived in the nearby town of Estcourt in the 1950's. One of my earliest medal purchases was a QSA to a West Yorkshire Regiment Corporal. Against my better (emotionally-based) judgement, I later exchanged it for a 18th Hussars QSA (Talana, Defence of Ladysmith. Died of disease). A friend needed a medal from this regiment to (nearly) complete his collection of QSA's to British regiments in the Natal Field Force. Although it was a fair exchange, I still regret it.

Another reason for being interested in Willow Grange and the West Yorks is due to the grave of a battle casualty in the cemetery of the church I attended. Buried there is a local farmer, who was acting as a guide for the West Yorks during the battle when he was shot after being mistaken for a Boer. I expect the newly arrived British soldiers had yet to learn to distinguish friendly Colonists from their new enemy. The link is to a recent post that mentions this unfortunate incident.
www.angloboerwar.com/forum/singleclaspqsas/8746-natal?start=6

As you may remember, I have a keen interest in the Imperial Light Horse. 'A' Squadron of this regiment was also present at Willow Grange. While researching an ILH Trooper, whose QSA I had acquired, I discovered that he had informally attached himself to the West Yorks during the battle. This man, a Dane with the anglicised name of John Nelson, had a sick horse and was ordered to remain in camp when the ILH went off to do battle with the Boers. Nelson was an old soldier who claimed military service dating back to the Franco-Prussian War and he decided to disobey orders and join the action. He set off on foot and eventually joined up with the West Yorks. When questioned by an officer, Nelson claimed to have lost his regiment, so he stayed with the West Yorks during the battle. He was fortunate that his distinctive slouch hat did not attract the attention of the soldier who shot the farmer/guide. Nelson's QSA would have been a lot less interesting had he died at Willow Grange.

Regards
Brett

Hello Brett,
Thank you for your reply and kind comments.
Thank you for adding more Willow Grange information, from someone who lived in the area your knowledge is most welcome.
Brett I think I would have been tempted to swap for a Talana/Dol!
Like the story of the ILH man, well told

Cheers
Paul

Paul,

Thanks for the interesting post. The West Yorks did indeed bear the brunt and the following excerpt from the 'York Herald' of 2nd December 1899 shows the effects on the local communities.

Those that have stars against their name, such as Rouse, are the 'Reservists' called back to the Colours from their civilian employment.

Best wishes,

Justin

Hi Justin,

Thank you for your comments and many thanks for the newspaper cutting, another item to add to the medal

Cheers
Paul

Hi Justin,

Just found listings in the Yorkshire Gazette 2nd Dec 1899 and another report from the Yorkshire Herald 30th Nov 1899
Thanks for the idea

Paul