Spennymoor and the Boer War

Updates - April 1900

Interview of A GALLANT SPENNYMOOR SOLDIER
(10th April 1900 Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough) A representative of the “Gazette” had, yesterday, a conversation with Private Thomas Lindsay, of the Highland Light Infantry, in his own home at Edward-street, Spennymoor. His father kept a nursery garden at the bottom of Tudhoe Village, and all the lads were fine, strapping fellows. George is a policeman stationed at West Cornforth; William is a policeman at Wolsingham; Jim is a player for Tudhoe Rugby Club; and “Tommy”, as he is most familiarly called, is the soldier in the family.
His discharge was expected from Netley Hospital on the 17th, and he had written to that effect; but in order to make room for others he was discharged on Friday morning last. From Waterloo Station he drove to catch the corridor and dining train North, and at Darlington was met by his wife and sister, and they were all joined at Ferryhill by the brother PC George Lindsay. As a “Soldier of the Queen” who had done his duty in the face of the enemy, and paid the penalty, he received a hearty welcome at Spennymoor from his fellow townsmen, although it was a very short notice.
He had served his full seven years with the colours, and had been working in Tudhoe Steel Work for a couple of years, when the order came for the Reserves to join the colours. He had only been a year or so married, and had to leave behind him a wife and baby, but still he bade good-bye to home on the 17th October. He formed a portion of the Highland Brigade under that gallant soldier General Wauchope, who has been laid to rest on South African soil. Lindsay took no part in the Modder River, Belmont and Graspan fights. At Magersfontein he received his first baptism of fire.
The Highland Brigade was composed as follows:- The Black Watch in the front, ext was the Seaforths, then the Argyll and Sutherlands and the Highland Light Infantry. They left camp at midnight to catch the Boers napping, but the Boers caught the gallant brigade in a death-trap. They were marching in a quarter column formation, for the simple reason that the nature of the ground prevented any other. That was on the 11th December. As they marched, anxious to meet the enemy, especially at close quarters, as they had some old scores to wipe out, they could see the camp fires of the Boers on the steep cliffs of Magersfontein. As day broke the country improved, and the Black Watch began to extend, when a sudden and terrific fire was opened upon them. The brigade was enfiladed. It was a wonder the Boers had allowed them to approach so near. Spies must have carried the information of the night’s march to the enemy. Do what they like, the British camps are invested with them, under the disguise of friends. In those anxious moments General Waucope led his men gallantly, and when he was found, face downwards, on the veldt, he was only twenty yards from the nearest Boer branch. The Highlanders were infiladed. There was bound to be disorder. Lindsey hd the butt end of his rifle shattered, ad a bullet went through his khaki helmet, knocking if off. That was all that happened him up to that point. The brigade, or what was left of them, retired to a distance, and reformed, and then went forward to the charge again. They fought some eight or ten hours against an enemy they could scarcely see. It was not until after one o’clock that the Gordons came on the scene, and soon after the retreat was sounded.
It was about half-past 12 o’clock when Lindsay received his wounds. A Mauser bullet went clean through his right thigh bone and all, and another through his left arm. That ended his soldiering, very much to his regret. He was taken to the hospital at Wynberg, and subsequently invalided home to Netley Hospital. Of General Wauchope heis loud in praise. His men looked upon him as a gallant officer whom they would follow anywhere, and it was no wonder that such a touching and tear-bringing account of his funeral, far, far away from his native hearth, should have been telegraphed across to this country.
It will be weeks, if not months, before Tommy Lindsay will be himself again or able to do any work, but he is as cheerful as a canary, and happy to be once again, at his own fireside with his wife and bairn. He is on two months furlough, but before that expires he will be practically discharged from the army.

Thomas Lindsay (1870 Tynemouth-1923) was the son of William Lindsay (1838 Chirnside Berwickshire - 1926) and Christina (1841 Preston - 1919). In 1871 the family lived at Fawdon Farm, Gosforth where William was a gardener, they had four sons, George (b Scotland), William (b Scotland), James (b Tynemouth) and Thomas.

By 1881 they have moved to Garden House, Tudhoe Village and have two daughters, Mary B (b Ryton) and Elenor Nelson (b Yorkshire). They remain in Tudhoe where William is a market gardener until 1911 when William and Christina are living at West End, Ferryhill Village and William is receiving his Old Age Pension. In 1921 William is living with his daughter Eleanor at 9 Kensington Gardens, Ferryhill.

In 1891 Thomas is a Corporal in the 1st Highland Light Infantry based at The Citadel Barracks, Western Heights, Hougham, Kent. In 1899 he marries Elizabeth Fraiser. In 1901 after returning from the Boer war he is living at 17 Edward Street with his wife and son Ernest, he is working as a stocktaker at the Steel Works.

Soldier's Letters