The Aspinall brothers were both originally from Keighley, Alfred born there in 1874, and Charles Edward in 1868. George Campbell was their cousin. Anyone know, or like to hazard a guess, which units they might have seen active service with?
....In the early part of this week Mr. G. G. Aspinall, manager at the Keighley Branch of the Bradford District Bank, received from his son Alfred, of Calgary, who is a member of the Canadian North-West Mounted Police, a cablegram stating that he was leaving for South Africa on Wednesday. Mr. Albert Aspinall went out to Canada in 1891, and this is the third year of his connection with the mounted police. He is accustomed to rough-riding and to the rifle. His station is a few days' journey from the coast, and it is presumed that he intends to join the second Canadian contingent. Mr. Aspinall also has another son, Charles, who by this time will probably be rendering service in South Africa. Charles and his cousin, George Campbell, son of Mr. Duncan Campbell, formerly of Keighley, booked passages from England to Brisbane. The vessel called at the Cape, and the two young men appear to have "caught" the prevailing war fever, for a letter has been received by Mr. G. G. Aspinall, dated Cape Town, December 20, stating that they had practically enlisted in the Railway Pioneers, and had forfeited their passage money forward. The letter was written by Mr. George Campbell.
The Keighley News, Saturday 13th January 1900
....Mr. G. G. Aspinall, of the District Bank, Keighley, received an intimation on Monday from the War Office that his son, Private Alfred Aspinall, one of the mounted infantry under General Hutton, had been wounded in the action at Katbosch. Nothing was stated as to the character of the wound. Private Aspinall has been in the Canadian Mounted Police for several years, and he was one of those who volunteered for South Africa.
The Keighley News, Saturday 7th July 1900
