Linda
12-06-2005, 10:44 PM
The following article was found in the Keighley Herald 9 March 1900, and I thought it may be of interest. I find it amazing that the soldier managed to retain his sense of humour through the hardships of war.
"A BEACHCLIFFE LAD'S NARROW ESCAPES"
"No.9889 Private Harry Cooper, whose mother lives at Beachcliffe, Keighley (a member of Q. Company of the 3rd King's Royal Rifles) has written from Spearman's Kopje, under date February 4th, to a friend, Mr. Pickles(?) Batley, of Whinburn. The letter, written as it is on the backs of cigarette packet papers, a piece of brown cartridge paper and a luggage label, shows, in the first place, the great dearth of note-paper out at the front. In the course of his message Private Cooper says:-
I now again take the pleasure to write to you. I suppose long before you get this you will have read about our scrape the other week. We lost 15 killed and 90 wounded, and among the former was our gallant Colonel. We marched about four miles, then waded the Tugela and attacked the Boers on a hill up which we had to creep and climb rocks about 8ft. high. We got orders to retire before we were half way up, but no fear, we got to the top alright, and didn't they pepper us as we were making the ascent! We stayed up there till dark, then retired. I had two or three narrow escapes, but I got through without being hit.
I have had excellent health up to this, but I am getting very thin - you can tell how thin I am when I say that I put my straps on the other day and they fell off me. I am sure I can get down a rifle barrel easy enough. I haven't had a shave for two months. Both my trousers knees are worn out, and another important part of my unmentionables is gone also. To tell the truth, I could get a better rig-out at ____rag-shop. Roll on Ladysmith! We attack again tomorrow. We will get in this time. It was my birthday yesterday - that makes one in Aldershot, another in Ireland and the last in South Africa, so that is not bad for three years' service. I met Harry Mount (Private Mount, of Beachcliffe - 1st Durham Light Infantry) on the 3rd. He was on sentry on the pontoon bridge......I can tell you it is as good as a circus to see us sometimes. We can't get a wash for three days. But never mind, I don't care a jot so long as I don't get shot. I shall be very, very glad when we get to Pretoria. I shall have to close now as I have only another "tag" paper left. Give my best respects to all enquiring friend. Au revoir!"
"A BEACHCLIFFE LAD'S NARROW ESCAPES"
"No.9889 Private Harry Cooper, whose mother lives at Beachcliffe, Keighley (a member of Q. Company of the 3rd King's Royal Rifles) has written from Spearman's Kopje, under date February 4th, to a friend, Mr. Pickles(?) Batley, of Whinburn. The letter, written as it is on the backs of cigarette packet papers, a piece of brown cartridge paper and a luggage label, shows, in the first place, the great dearth of note-paper out at the front. In the course of his message Private Cooper says:-
I now again take the pleasure to write to you. I suppose long before you get this you will have read about our scrape the other week. We lost 15 killed and 90 wounded, and among the former was our gallant Colonel. We marched about four miles, then waded the Tugela and attacked the Boers on a hill up which we had to creep and climb rocks about 8ft. high. We got orders to retire before we were half way up, but no fear, we got to the top alright, and didn't they pepper us as we were making the ascent! We stayed up there till dark, then retired. I had two or three narrow escapes, but I got through without being hit.
I have had excellent health up to this, but I am getting very thin - you can tell how thin I am when I say that I put my straps on the other day and they fell off me. I am sure I can get down a rifle barrel easy enough. I haven't had a shave for two months. Both my trousers knees are worn out, and another important part of my unmentionables is gone also. To tell the truth, I could get a better rig-out at ____rag-shop. Roll on Ladysmith! We attack again tomorrow. We will get in this time. It was my birthday yesterday - that makes one in Aldershot, another in Ireland and the last in South Africa, so that is not bad for three years' service. I met Harry Mount (Private Mount, of Beachcliffe - 1st Durham Light Infantry) on the 3rd. He was on sentry on the pontoon bridge......I can tell you it is as good as a circus to see us sometimes. We can't get a wash for three days. But never mind, I don't care a jot so long as I don't get shot. I shall be very, very glad when we get to Pretoria. I shall have to close now as I have only another "tag" paper left. Give my best respects to all enquiring friend. Au revoir!"