Certainly a rather macabre item to souvenir!
BereniceUK wrote:
THE TRAGIC DEATH OF LIEUTENANT WILLIAMS.
Mr George Phillips, proprietor of the Lion Hotel, Worksop, has just received a gruesome but most interesting relic connected with the tragic death of Lieutenant Williams, of the Imperial Yeomanry, who, it will be remembered, was shot dead whilst advancing to the Boers after they had displayed the white flag at Boshof on April 5th. The relic consists of the actual bandolier worn by the French Boer, "Flamment," at the time he shot Lieutenant Williams, and was immediately shot himself for his dastardly conduct. It is made of rough canvas, and has 14 small leather capped pockets, in each of which five Mauser cartridges can be stored (the total carried in each bandolier being 70 rounds). Five of the original cartridges are included in one of the pockets of the bandolier. The peculiar feature of this particular bandolier, however, is that there is a bullet hole through the canvas at a point which, if the band were worn properly, would be immediately over the wearer's heart, and this and the space round about for several inches is clotted with blood. Trooper Chambers, who was in the thick of the fight himself, assures Mr Phillips that after spotting the man, he subsequently took the bandolier from him, and has sent it to Worksop to be preserved for him in the event of his being fortunate enough to return home.
The Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald, Saturday 12th May 1900
