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Andrews was unusual in the sense that, having found his sea legs with the RN, he then switched to horseback in the broad expanse of the South African interior.

Henry Clarke Andrews

Stoker, Royal Navy
3rd Class Trooper, South African Constabulary – Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal to 1544 3rd Cl. Tpr. H.C. Andrews, S.A.C. with clasps Cape Colony & Orange Free State (also entitled to South Africa 1901 & 1902)

Henry Andrews was born in Barton Turf, Norwich, Norfolk, England on 26 October 1870 the son of Clarke Andrews, a Gardener by occupation, and his wife Emma (born Cooke). Like many who were to young to enlist with any of the arms of the military Andrews often fabricated his age but more about that later.

The 1871 England census provides us with our first glimpse into his life. There we find the family living at Pennygate in Barton Turf, a very rural setting which even today remains unspoiled. Aside from 5 month old Henry there was also his older brother William (2)

Ten years later at the time of the 1881 England census the family had grown substantially in number. Emma had passed away in February 1872 and been replaced in the home by Clarke Andrews new bride, Louisa (born Sturt), who bore him quite a number of children. Henry, now called by his middle name Clarke, was with William (12) and already a Gardener like his father, Edward (9), Albert (3) and Stephen (1) in the house in Pound Lane whence the family had moved.

On 4 May 1890 Henry Andrews broke with tradition (or perhaps he didn’t have green fingers) and joined the Royal Navy with no. 154639 out of Chatham. As mentioned earlier quite a bit of “poetic licence” was taken around the age question and, on this occasion, Andrews informed the authorities that he was born on 26 October 1868. Initially signing up for 12 years this was cancelled by purchase 5 years later. On attestation he was described as being 5 foot 6 inches in height with light brown hair, light blue eyes and a fresh complexion. He was also described a being a Labourer by occupation. The 1891 England census has him as a Member of Crew, aged 21, at Portsmouth in Hampshire

All told Andrews served on various ships and shore establishments starting with the Asia until 10 April 1891 and then moving on to the Assistance until 28 August 1891. From there it was on to Malabar until 14 June 1892 followed by Victory II until 5 May 1893 and then Bellerophon, an ironclad battleship, until 17 June 1893. A stint back at Victory II until 29 August 1893 was followed by his last posting that to Magicienne a Marathon Class cruiser built in 1888.


The "Magicienne"

Throughout his service Andrews was mustered as a Stoker. On 19 November 1896 he took his leave of the Navy.

On 30 January 1901 Andrews walked into the S.A.C. Recruiting Offices in Davey Place, Norwich and offered his services to the Constabulary who were recruiting for a police force to aid the Imperial cause in the Boer War which had been raging in South Africa since October 1899. He claimed to be living in Little Plumstead Hall, Norfolk where he was employed as a Groom. He was 30 years old and confirmed that he was “late” Royal Navy and that he had purchased his discharge.

Claiming to be a fair rider and a fair shot he was passed as medically fit and set sail for South Africa soon thereafter with no. 1544 and the rank of 3rd Class Trooper. Having landed in Cape Town on 27 March 1901 Andrews was deployed to no. 14 Troop, E Division which was based in and around the Orange Free State. By this time the Free State had ceased to exist as a Boer Republic with the fall of its capital Bloemfontein. This did not however, by any means signal the end of the war; all it meant was that the guerrilla phase commenced which made hunting down small and very mobile Boer Commandos very difficult and highly dangerous. It was into this environment that Andrews was thrust signing his Attestation Paper on 6 April 1901.

That he didn’t lead a blameless military life was evidenced by a guilty finding at Harrismith on 1 September 1902 on charges of being “absent from evening stable parade at 5.30 p.m.

Remaining absent till 6 p.m. same date” and “breaking arrest and absenting himself from camp from 6.30 p.m. on 2 September until 6 a.m. on 3 September” – one can only guess as to what temptations lured Andrews away from camp for an entire evening..

The war over Andrews was awarded the Queens Medal with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State and South Africa 1901 & 1902. Interestingly the medal roll states that he was discharged as “unsuitable” – this is confirmed on his discharge papers when that day arrived on 21 March 1903. The cause of discharge is given as unsuitable but his conduct is recorded as Good. After 1 year 360 days Andrews was cut loose to pursue his own interests. His forwarding address was “Lillydale, Harrismith District, O.F.S.

To all intents and purposes we would normally be able to close the chapter on Andrews were it not for a letter received from Captain F. Swettenham of the Scots Greys writing from Albrighton Hall in Wolverhampton on 2 August 1905. The letter read as follows,

“Sir

I am writing on behalf of Mr. C. Andrews father of No. 1544 Pte. H.C. Andrews late S.A.C. I understand that a medal and 2 clasps were sent to the C.S.O. – S.A.C. at Johannesburg on the 8.7.1904 for issue to this man. His father has not heard of him for nearly two years and is under the impression that he is dead.

I should be much obliged if you can inform me if the medal was ever issued, and if so when and where. If the medal has not been issued, I shall be greatly obliged if you would send it to me, and I will hand it to the father.

Pte. Andrews was discharged on 21 March 1903. I have the honour etc.”

So what then was this? Andrews had not been in communication with his father who assumed him to have died.

The S.A.C. in the Free State responded to the C.S.O. in Johannesburg on 24 August as follows,

“Will you kindly note that the Queens S.A. Medal and clasps “Cape Colony” and “Orange Free State” for E1544 3RD Class Trooper H.C. ANDREWS have this day been forwarded, by request of Capt Swettenham, Royal Scots Greys, to his address at Albrighton Hall, Wolverhampton, England, to be handed to Mr C. Andrews, the father of the man above referred to.”

On the same day Swettenham was written to with the medal enclosed and the accompanying paragraph which read,

“The medal was forwarded to Mr. H.C. Andrews c/o Stokes Esq., Tritea Bridge, via Umtata, Cape Colony, on the 4th August 1904 and returned on 6th December last year “Not Known” This, by implication meant that that Andrews must have stayed on in South Africa but was no longer at the address he had provided.

At some stage Andrews must have returned to the United Kingdom where, in 1907 at Blofield in Norfolk, he married Mary Ann Matthews. He is present in the 1911 census living at Little Plumstead where, at 42 years of age, he was employed as a Bricklayer’s Labourer. The couple had a daughter, Mary Margaret, aged 3. One can only imagine that he was reconciled with his father and claimed the medal from him.

Henry Clarke Andrews passed away in Acle, Norfolk in June 1952 at the age of 81.



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