A ROYAL LANCASTRIAN PARALYSED
Mrs. Lelliott, of Chichester, in Sussex, is the mother of ten children. Of these six sons are, or have been, soldiers. Of the six one has served his time, four are still with the colours, and Corporal L.Lelliott, 2nd Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, lies paralysed at Netley Hospital.
And this is how he came by his hurt. His regiment was with Buller in Natal. Lelliott was at Spion Kop, Vaal Krantz, Colenso, Grobler's Kloof, Pieter's Hill, and Botha's Pass, and got never a scratch. Then one day, when the Boers were far away, his horse stumbled and threw him on to his spine. The concussion paralysed him.
Two days later his father died. His father served thirty-three and a half years in the army, and at the time of his death was supernumerary postman at Chichester. His mother was left with four children on her hands, and has taken to washing.
One son pays the rent. The corporal, who, of course gets no pay while in hospital, has written some lines called "The Lancashire Brigade at Spion Kop." A lady has paid for the printing of 500 copies, and these are being sold at 1s.
[5p] each for the benefit of his mother.
Lelliott is a fine-looking fellow, but it is doubtful whether he will ever get about again.
(from the Lancaster Observer of Friday 28th December 1900)
Imagine my surprise when I came across an online history of the Lelliotts which includes further information on Corporal Lelliott.
(I have to say that it seems pretty conclusive to me that the two Corporal Lelliotts are one and the same)
www.mandywillard.co.uk/surnames/lelliott/george_1842.htm
So his name was, probably, Lancaster Lelliott, and he recovered from his paralysis, went on to join the Royal Navy, got married, and fathered two children!
He's not listed on Find a Grave.
