TOPIC:

James Gordon Speirs

Trooper, Natal Carbineers

- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Defence of Ladysmith & South Africa 1901

Jim Speirs came from an illustrious line. His grandfather, Robert Speirs, had been one of the original Byrne Settlers who came out to Natal on the “Conquering Hero” in 1852 and settled in the Dargle area of the Colony. The family still farm there to this day with only slight alterations having been made to the original homestead.

It was into this family of old Natal Colonists that James Gordon Speirs was born at Mount Park on 21 December 1879. Jim as he was called all his life, grew up and lived in the shadows of the Inhluzana Mountain all his days, with only a break now and again before he was married.

His early life followed the pattern of his two brothers who were both sent down to the Boy’s School in Durban to gain a rudimentary education. Possessed of a strong character and will Jim was apparently well known for his honesty and integrity together with a monumental temper. He was, nevertheless, a kindly man at heart.

At the age of 18 Jim joined the Natal Carbineers as a Trooper on 3 October 1899 and was allocated no. 860. During the Anglo Boer War he was a member of the Carbineer detachment that was caught up in Ladysmith when that town was besieged in November 1899. It was there that he contracted Enteric and almost died.

What makes Speirs story so compelling is the letters that he wrote home whilst besieged. These were lovingly kept by the family and I am privileged to have very good copies of them as they provide a hitherto unknown glimpse into siege life from Jim’s perspective.

The first letter dated 4 November 1899 reads as follows. Sadly parts of the wording have been worn away with the passage of time:

“Ladysmith, Saturday, 4th November 1899

Chas. P. Speirs
Mount Park

Dear Papa

I arrived safely on Wednesday night about half past seven and had considerable trouble getting the horses out of the station and got up to the Carbineers Camp at about 12 o’ clock last night.

I have passed through my baptism of fire. Yesterday we were within 150 yards of the enemy, they on one side of the kopje and we on the other. The Boers returned fire from the kopje but we ..... been surrounded by the main body of the enemy.

On returning into the town we were shelled by a Boer gun and some came unpleasantly close, one came so close that the wind of it plucked at my hat and I dare say some of you will think I am drawing the long bow but it is a fact all the same.

We are in a state of siege and if reinforcements don’t turn up it will be rather a poor look out.

There is any amount of .... and one has very......

The second letter was written just over a month later when the siege had started to bite. It speaks of a yearning for the siege to be over:

“Ladysmith, December 8th 1899

Dear Mother

I got some paper and envelopes at Strathearn that is why it is addressed by Effie.

I wrote some weeks ago but I expect you will receive it about the same time as you get this. We have been besieged now for over a month and I am writing now as everyone is expecting the relief column in a few days.

We had rather an exciting time last night, the Carbineers and the Imperial Light Horse attacked a hill they call Lombard’s Kop and they captured 3 guns, 2 cannon and a maxim. One of the cannon is called “Long Tom” and throws a 95 pound shell and has been a sort of terror to the town.

The I.L.H. lost one man but we had no casualties. I say we, but unfortunately I was not there as I was on guard on the Commissariat and was therefore unable to go.

I hope to goodness the relief Column comes soon and that we will be shifted out of this miserable town with its flies and bad water.

There have been a number of cases of dysentery and diarrhoea. I have been bad for over a week with the latter but am feeling a little better now. The Boers have fired about 5000 shells into the town and surrounding Batteries but have only killed about 15 men, if that, and a few mules horses and cattle.

I wish I was back home again and get a cup of good tea and bread and butter for a little champagne with bad food goes a long way. How are you all keeping, well I hope?

Is Carl back at Nothorne yet? Please write as soon as you hear the line is open.
Please give my love to all and keep your share.

Your affectionate son

James G. Speirs

P.S. I am afraid Blazes (his horse) will have to be shot for shortly after coming up here he got the strangles very badly. He was so bad they had to put a tube in his wind pipe to enable him to breathe. In coming off the green grass as he did to the bad feed up here has just brought him to skin and bone.”

His next letter home came after New Year 1900 and shows just how much he missed the farm life and his dear animals:

“Ladysmith, 20 January 1900

Mrs. C.P. Speirs
Mount Park
Dargle

Just a line to let you know I am alright and well. I have heard from Effie and she told me you all have the influenza but I hope you will all be well by the time you receive this.

The Column’s big guns have been firing heavily out Acton Homes way and it is very encouraging as it tells us that relief is not far away.

How is Robin getting on with the wagons? What a great loss it was those 8 milk cows dying, what was the cause?

Write as soon as possible and address your letters to Tpr. J.G. Speirs, N.C. Ladysmith c/o Resident Magistrate, Estcourt.

How I long to be home again with any amount of good food and a good old Mother to serve it out, but I expect to be pampered up when I do get home whenever that may be. How is Carl getting on? I expect he is busy picking and sending away fruit. What price did you get for the wool, I hope you got 1/- per bale.

Poor Sid Raw is dead, he died of Enteric at Intombi Hospital, it is very sad for his people.

Do you often have tennis, how I would like a game. Now I must close with best love to Papa, Yourself and all the rest including Miss. Muir and with Kind Regards to Mac and Mr. Ballier.

I remain your loving son,

James G. Speirs”

In another, this time undated letter dashed off whilst in a hurry he wrote:

“I am sending this letter but there is every likelihood of it not being forwarded as the line between Ladysmith and Colenso is in possession of the Boers.

I hope you have not been concerned about me as I was unable to write sooner.

I must stop now as I will be called away for something or other shortly. Please excuse the horrible writing; I am using my revolver holster as a table.

Hoping you are all well at home and that you are not worrying yourselves too much about me.

I remain

Your affectionate son

James G. Speirs”

Speirs’ last letter home was dated 3 March 1900, three days after the Siege was lifted when everyone was joyous and a new mood of optimism was sweeping the town and the troops stationed there:

“Ladysmith, March 3rd 1900

Dear Mother and Father

Thank goodness communication is at last open and we are relieved. It has been a very tough time for us as we have lived for the last two months on porridge, bad bread and meat got from oxen on the point of death from starvation and lately horse flesh.

You will be surprised to hear that I am writing from Hospital but am getting on famously so do not feel a bit anxious on my account. We will soon have the line open and as soon as it is so we will be taken down country as speedily as possible, where we are going I don’t quite know but I think it is either Highlands or Mooi River. I suppose I will have to go there until I am quite convalescent and then they will give me a few weeks leave and then Home Sweet Home.

I am expecting to see Robin every day now as the convoy wagons are pouring in. I saw Dick Raw and he said he had seen Robin several times.

How have you all been getting on? I received a letter from Mother and Carl on the 3rd February and they were very very welcome. Did you have a good fruit season? How I have longed for some good fruit. At last the tables are turned and I think we will have our turn now. The Boers seem to have retreated “helter skelter” from round Ladysmith. Was it not splendid Lord Roberts capturing Krouge and 8000 men. Is Carl living at Nothorne with the family you mentioned in your letter? I hope he is feeling quite himself again.

How is my poor pony and old ginger? I was very pleased to hear he was better again. I have not seen David for some time but believe he is A1.

Everyone is in high spirits now and no wonder. How did my photos turn out? I am anxious to see what like I used to be as a civilian. I must close now so with love to all. Agg or Agnes Muir included.

I remain your loving son

James G. Speirs

P.S. Please do not worry about me as I am convalescent and getting on famously.
Please remember me to Mr Ballier and Old Mac.

JGS”

Speirs letters, as already mentioned, provide an insight into the emotions being experienced by a young boy under arms in a town where hope was constantly, like Buller’s Relief Force, receding.

Now a free man Speirs continued on with the Carbineers but seems to have, according to the Nominal Roll of the Regiment, been discharged on 31 May 1902 (the day the war ended), He earned no further clasps to his Queens Medal which sports the Defence of Ladysmith and South Africa 1901 clasp. There is every indication that he returned to his farm and resumed activities there.

During the Native Rebellion of 1906 he was instrumental in providing his farm as a safe haven should an attack be forthcoming. This situation, thankfully, never came to pass and life carried on.

On 28 December 1908 Speirs aged 29, reflected as a Stock Inspector by profession, married Louise Harrington a 28 year old spinster in the Presbyterian Church in nearby Howick. What became of his romance with Miss Muir or “Aggie” – the lass he refers to in his letters – is unknown but it couldn’t have stayed the distance.

Jim now did a stint at farming on the Farm Owthorne, followed by saw milling in the Deepdale Valley. In 1912 Jim Speirs bought the Remainder of the farm Glandisrock. Not liking the name he changed it to Parkside.

Shortly after the birth of her fourth child Jim’s wife, Louise, suffered a stroke which left her paralysed and speechless. Jim had a pet baboon that used to be chained to a large fir tree in the back yard which, after it had mauled one of his sons, was promptly despatched. This would have been no problem for him as he was an excellent shottist and a fine horseman to boot.

He died on 26 January 1952 at the age of 72 and is buried in the family plot on the farm Parkside

Hi Rory,
Great medal and superb write up, I wish mine were as concise as yours.
Thank you for sharing.

Paul

Rory

Another great addition to your collection. Thank you for sharing it. The letters are especially good to have, since they are so rarely preserved, even by "Old Natal Families".

Regards
Brett

Thanks very much for your comments chaps.

I am honoured to also have the QSA to Speirs father, Charles Pennell Speirs. This worthy was with the Nottingham Road District Rifle Association but I'll get round to his write up later

Regards

Rory