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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal and Western Advertiser Wednesday 04 Apr 1900
Page 5 Column 6
THE WAR.
MORE SOMERSET RESERVISTS FOR THE FRONT.
DEPARTURE FROM TAUNTON.
About 150 Reservists of the Somerset Light Infantry left Taunton by special train on Saturday morning for Southampton, where during the day they embarked in the America for South Africa.
The men were under the command of Major LLOYD, and the other officers accompanying them were Captain RYDER and Lieut. BALLY. They were played from the Barracks to the Railway Station by the Taunton Volunteer Band, and the scene on their departure was marked by much enthusiasm, among the officers present to wish the men good-bye being Colonel COTTON, commandant of the 13th Regimental District, and Colonel WADDY, late commandant of the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment, which the Reserves are now about to join at the front.
WOUNDED, NOT MISSING.
General BULLER reports that Private B. RYDEN, 2nd Somerset Light Infantry, reported missing, is wounded in hospital. Private T. EDWARDS, 2nd Somerset Light Infantry, has died of enteric fever at Mooi River.
NEWS FROM A MISSING BRIDGWATER SOLDIER.
The relatives of Private Bernard RYDEN, of the Somerset Light Infantry, who was reported missing in one of the engagements before Ladysmith, have just received a letter from him showing that he is safe in hospital, but wounded in the left arm and side. The corrected list of casualties issued by General BULLER on March 26 confirms this intelligence.
DEATH IN LADYSMITH.
News has reached Miss BROOKS, the Infant School-mistress at Creech St. Michael, of the death of her brother, Mr. Walter BROOKS, late of the 2nd K.R.R., who was shot during the siege of Ladysmith. In the beginning of February last Miss BROOKS, whilst looking through the list of casualties, found her brother's number and name, but on enquiring at the War Office she was informed that it referred to another and not her brother, there being a mistake in the number. When, however, after the relief of Ladysmith the revised list was published his name again appeared, which naturally came as a double blow to his friends. The deceased was well known in Taunton and district, and great sympathy is felt for his bereaved sister and friends.
THE P.A.S.L.I. GIFT FUND.
We have received the following letter from Colonel WADDY, of Amberd House, Pitminster:-
SIR – I have now heard from Lieut.-Colonel GALLWEY and Major WILLIAMS, who say that warm underclothing, such as vests, pants, waistcoats, &c., are the things most needed, also tobacco and socks. I would, therefore, ask all who are working to prepare these things. I have now a box in preparation, and shall be glad to receive gifts to fill it. Only one parcel, so far (that is before February 24th, Natal), had reached the Battalion, though sent from England in December.
J. M. E. WADDY,
Lieut.-Colonel.
Mr. GOODMAN (cyclist, B Company, 3rd V.B., Som. L.I.), collection at school in Weston-super-Mare, 11s 6d.
LETTER FROM A TAUNTON VOLUNTEER.
The following letter has been received from Private F. SHARP, one of the three Taunton Volunteers who were accepted for service in South Africa, and who was formerly employed at the Herald Office:-
Tintagel Castle, Las Palmas, March 14.
DEAR MR. P., - Just a few lines, hoping you are quite well, as it leaves me. I have had my dose of sea sickness, and I can assure you it is something awful. We reached Southampton about 12, and sailed at two o'clock. I am enjoying the voyage very well. Please remember me to all at the office, and tell them that I hope to see them all again after the war. We are in a very hot climate now, and feel the difference very much. Will write when I get to Cape Town. - I remain, yours truly,
FRANK SHARP.
NURSE SAGE VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FRONT.
Nurse SAGE, one of the nurses of the Taunton District Nursing Association, has volunteered for South Africa, where she will be attached to the Welsh contingent.
ARRIVAL OF WEST SOMERSET IMPERIAL YEOMANRY AT THE CAPE.
GREETINGS TO THE MAYOR OF TAUNTON.
The West Somerset Company of the Imperial Yeomanry, who left England on March 7th, have arrived at Cape Town. The following cablegram was received on Friday by the Mayor of Taunton:-
CAPE TOWN, 12.15 p.m., March 30.
Mayor, Taunton, England.
Somersets arrived safely. Send hearty greetings.
“HARRIS.”
SOMERSET VOLUNTEERS ARRIVE AT CAPE TOWN.
The Admiralty announces the arrival at Cape Town of the Tintagel Castle, with 38 officers and 1,171 men, with seven horses, on board. The troops include one officer and 25 men each of the 1st Middlesex, Newcastle, 2nd Yorkshire, Tower Hamlets, Durham, 1st Yorkshire, Devon and Somerset, Hampshire, London and Sussex Volunteer Engineer Corps; also three officers and 113 men each of the Royal West Surrey, Somerset Light Infantry, East Surrey, Royal Sussex, South Staffordshire, Oxfordshire Light Infantry, and Middlesex Volunteer Service Corps; four officers and 114 men of Lord LOVAT's Corps, and details. The Tintagel Castle left Southampton on March 10th, reaching Las Palmas on the 15th.
THE WAITING COMPANY OF SOMERSET VOLUNTEERS.
The waiting Company of Somerset Volunteers, which is stationed at Taunton Barracks, now numbers 60.