TOPIC:

My Grandfather was detached to the East Lancs M.I. Company as part of 8th M.I., as soon as the regiment arrived in early 1900. On 22 April 1901, he was “severely wounded” in a skirmish near Klerksdorp. He remained in the regiment, as there is some trace of him between the wars, and he is mentioned in several memoirs and letters in 1914. He was promoted Sergeant on the retreat from Mons, and died in Ploegstreet Wood in November 1914.
Is it possible to find out whether he was shipped back to England after being wounded, or whether he recovered and rejoined his unit in SA for the rest of the war? Also if anyone can throw light on what might constitute “severe” injury, that would really help to build a picture. I would be grateful for any clues.

Hi Muldoon80

I couldn't find any detail of your Grandfather, reference returning home wounded or Invalided home. His medal rolls do not provide any detail having been shipped back to England. However, his clasp entitlement which records Johannesburg, Orange Free State and Cape Colony and 1901 date clasp .
His severe wound which he received at Cyferkuil, Klerksdorp April 1901 may suggest that he was shipped home as he didn't remain in South Africa in 1902. I checked out the casualty roll for that action that Martin was wounded at, there were 2 more severe casualties on that day. S Connery and R Wardley also some East Lancashire lads were taken prisoner at the same time. I cross referenced Corporal Connery's medal roll and there was no entry regarding being returned either.
Private R Wardley unfortunately died of his wounds sustained at the same action as your Grandfather. Severe wounds would suggest gunshot, shrapnel etc. However, your Grandfather may have been taken to nearby field hospital to be treated, recuperation and then,quite possibly returned home latter part of 1901.Being attached to Mounted Infantry could also contribute to severe wounds especially if the horse is wounded and rider is thrown and suffers severe wounding from the fall. Alas, all supposition on my part. You mentioned he crops up in memoirs and letters? I guess there is no mention of his previous wound before he bravely sets off for France? I did find his personal effects and his family's pension cards regarding his death in WW1. I had no luck on any attestation papers on my 1st search. I will do a little more digging and let you know if I find anything which may be beneficial to your request.


Dave..........

Dave, thanks for the quick and considered reply. Why this is such a good forum. Almost certainly gunshot wounds; from the description of the incident (My source “Red Roses on the Veldt”) they were already dismounted and defending the hilltop against the Boers. But just guessing.

I only have one reference to your grandfather, Muldoon, and I'm guessing that he wasn't from the Blackburn, Darwen, or Clitheroe areas. Wardley's death was reported in the Blackburn paper, but no specifics regarding the incident were mentioned. However, I still have the Blackburn papers from late Ma/early June to go through yet. Rowland Wardley was a regular, so was Martin Brennan also?


....CASUALTIES IN THE EAST LANCASHIRE REGIMENT.—In the casualty list issued by the War Office on Thursday night appear the names of the following in the Mounted Infantry Company of the East Lancashire Regiment:—2,874 Private J. Gannon and 4,587 Private A. Devine were killed, and 1,856 Corporal S. Connery, 5,569 Private R. Wardley, and 5,528 Private M. Brennan were severely wounded between Brantspruit and Klerksdorp, April 22nd; whilst Lieutenant P. C. Goodwyn and five non-commissioned officers and men were made prisoners, but have since been released. It is feared that one or more of these are Blackburnians.
The Blackburn Times, Saturday 27th April 1901


....Mr. Richard Wardley, of 39, Lord Derby-street, has received information from the War Office to the effect that his son, No. 5,569 Private Rowland Wardley, of the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, Mounted Infantry, whose portrait is given herewith, was severely wounded between Klerksdorp and Brantspruit on the 22nd of April, 1901. On Tuesday Mr. Wardley received word that his son died on the 24th April from wounds received whilst in action, and expressing the Commander-in-Chief's sympathy and regret. Private Wardley, who was 22 years of age, had been in the army three years. He arrived in South Africa fourteen months ago, and had served on the line of communications. He was thrice attacked with dysentery, but remained on the scene of hostilities. Before joining the army he was employed as a weaver at Messrs. Briggs's Mill.
The Blackburn Times, Saturday 4th May 1901

Berenice:
Martin was from Burnley. Born 1879 would have enlisted roughly the same time as Pte Wardley - their numbers are close, and yes, he was a regular.
My source for the incident is John Downham’s book “Red Roses on the Veldt” but I recall a description in one of the contemporary histories, maybe Conan Doyle. They were escorting a convoy when the Boers tried to take a commanding hill, raced them to the top and held off odds of ten to one before being overcome, Lt Goodwyn got the DSO and went on to higher things, my grandfather recovered well enough to be playing cricket for his company circa 1908 (good man!) .

Sorry, Muldoon, no mention of him in the Burnley Express (1900-1904) that I can find.