TOPIC:

From 'Grantham Journal' Saturday 19th April 1902:

Hi Justin.
As we have become accustomed to, you have once again posted an interesting “press cutting”.
To me it appealed perhaps more than to other Forum members due to the presence of Cpl Sopp’s name at the end: his was the first DCM group in my collection. It also confirms his entitlement to the Melton Mowbray Tribute Medal
During a business trip to the UK and the Continent in 1977, I took 2 days’ leave in London and visited some medal dealers from whom I had previously bought via telex and letter. When I rang the bell at Spink, I was helped by a youthful Nimrod Dix. He told me that the April “Numismatic Circular” had just been mailed and that I was free to browse through the medal section and buy what caught my fancy.







The copied page from the London Gazette, which came with the group, mentioned Sopp’s gallantry at Philipstown but I could not find out more about the event for quite a number of years. I showed the group at a MMSSA meeting in the 1980’s and the late Don Forsyth said that bullet holes from the event were still visible on the old jail building.
Now enter Justin Davies: Researcher par excellence. Sometime in the late 1980’s I sent him a list of Boer War gallantry awards for which I required further info. Sopp’s IY file was not available, but he found the original shortened citation which was only slightly altered before publication in Army Orders, as well as a number of hand-written recommendations







The final addition to the “Sopp data file” followed in the early 1990’s, when I came across a book “Rhodesia – and After” by Sharrad H Gilbert who served in the 65th Squadron, I Y. The chapter headed “The Defence of the Jail” contained an account of Sopp’s doings, written in a style reminiscent of a Victorian novel. Here is the relevant part:

Those in the jail watch the hill eagerly. What will they do? What can they do? They are but sixty strong. But soon it is seen that some attempt is to be made from the hill. A party commence to make their way to the relief across the plain westward of the town. But this is madness. From the jail it can be seen that that side is seamed with dongas bristling with Boers, but evidently unknown to the Australian Captain. If they come that way they will be cut off to a man.

There, but a short mile away, the men who have come to save them are riding to annihilation, all unwitting. And those upon the walls are forced to watch them, hand-tied, helpless. There seems no means. To ride through that zone of fire is suicide— is courting instant death; even was there the
man to attempt it. But such a man is found.

Trooper William Sopp volunteers to make the attempt, and the offer is accepted. No time is lost. Descending to the yard, Lieut. Munn's own horse is saddled, with every ounce of useless weight discarded. Then — a cheery word or two, the gate flung wide, and urging his horse with voice and heel, Sopp takes Death by the hand, and makes his dash.

For several moments the men above draw their breath, expecting instantly to see the fall of horse and rider. And the Boers themselves seem paralysed by his audacity, for twenty yards is gained before they fire. But not for long. Scores of rifles are swiftly emptied on horse and man. For many hundred yards they ride through showers of lead. The fire on the jail perceptibly slackens, for every rifle seems turned on that flying horseman, who moment by moment grows less as the distance widens. He leaves the road and striking across the veldt, shapes a bee-line for the Bushmen's hill.

A horse with outstretched head and straining limbs, the rider sitting tight but still, riding to win. A horse and rider, faint seen through rising dust. A little dark patch scudding o'er an ocean of veldt. On, smaller, till a speck crawling up the far rise, and then -

“Hurrah! He's got through," — broke from the men. And with a better heart, into the baffled Boers they pour their hail of lead, for they know the Bushmen are saved.

And shortly from the hill a black speck comes, and reaching the plain, makes townwards. It is a horseman riding easily, for he has not yet been noticed by the Boers. What is it? — men ask. Surely no one man is so mad…

Ah! The Boers have seen him and he is riding under fire, for there is now no lagging in his pace. Nearer, till through the glasses he takes shape, and one says with a gasp —

“‘Tis Sopp coming back!”

Nearer the flying horseman. This is a different task. To ride into the fire of a hundred rifles is not the same as flying from them.

“Pour in your fire ! Draw their attention!“ shouts Lieut. Munn. And the men strive their best. Nearer the horseman. In the still moments 'tween the firing the beat of the hoofs can be heard. “Keep up the fire into that donga. There's where the mischief lies." And for the next few seconds the donga becomes a warm corner indeed for its sheltering occupants.

Three hundred yards away, and the horse still on its feet. The crackle of shots is like fresh thorns on a fierce camp fire.

“To the gate !" 'Tis the last order given.

Two hundred yards, —one hundred, and from the road fly little spurts of sand, thick as the first coming of big raindrops on still water. Back fly the gates. There is a sound of splintering glass, as every unbroken pane in the windows of the jail falls shivered by the storm of bullets. And with a clatter and a cheer from the men Trooper Sopp gallops into the yard — without a scratch on horse or man.

'Trooper’ for that day only. For from that date henceforward he is ‘Corporal' Sopp — promoted by the Commander- in-Chief for his deed.
And, recommended by the Australian Captain, his name appears in ‘orders'[i (as per scan A_Ord above)

Henk

Henk,

That's all come together into a great story over twenty-five years!

As a small addition, Sopp received his Q.S.A. from the hands of the King at the big Yeomanry parade in London in 1901 (subject of another thread).

See below from the 'Grantham Journal' 3rd August 1901. Whether he received his D.C.M. at that parade or in York I leave to you to work out!

All the best,

Justin

Henk,

Regarding his address, Newport Lodge was a hunting box in some of the best hunting country in England owned by the Earl of Bradford.

Sopp was a presumably a groom or the like at The Stables, which makes the medal group a wonderful representation of yeoman service.

And here are photos of the magnificent looking stables.

Best,

Justin

And to complete the search of the 'Grantham Journal' it appears that there were 27 Melton Mowbray tribute medals. This from 9th November 1901.

Hi Justin

Your A+++ research capabilities are again highlighted!
Thanks
Henk