Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 30 May 1902
Letter from a Denaby Soldier.
The following extracts are a letter received by a Denaby friend of Sergeant T. Brough, who fought throughout the South African campaign :
Riet Viet Transvaal, S.A., April 30th.
I am in the best of health and spirits at the time of writing. We have just come in to the line side oil one of those numerous driven you read of in the papers.
A column called at Bethal for us and we took part in the drive they were on with and have safely landed to the line side, which is the time we have seen the rails since last November.
The regiment (2nd Y.O.Y.’s) is not here, it is only the Bethel detachment lam speaking of. We evacuated Bethel last week, and not before time. I can tell you for I don’t care much for smoking tea leaves and coffee-drugs to mention short rations. But you might think it is almost impossible at this stage of the year but believe it from one who knows.
I am more than pleased with your parcel of tobacco, which I received safely. I had to sign for it or else I may never have received it, as there are such rogues on the line of communication. Jim Cuncliffe sent me a parcel but I have to wait for that yet. I believe there is a great conference to take place at Vereeniging next month (May) between the Boers and our people. They (Boers) mean to have something that may be to their advantage, if they can get anything at all I would give them something. An ounce of lead would do them good.
They have all the self same nonsensical ideas they had two years ago, that it will be their independence they will get, but they are out of that long ago. Possession is nine-tenths of the law, so they say. There au no sign of our home-coming yet, although could all do with an English breeze, at least I know I could, but it is not we want but what they want. Its the contract we all agreed to, and you know if someone did not volunteer for the service we should soon have conscription, and then. What Ho!
The letter concludes with many thanks to the recipient for a parcel of tobacco, and asks his opinion of the new Colony stamp, which is of a very pretty design, bearing, of course, the likeness of His Majesty’s head at the centre piece, and very neatly edged with a bright red or Leaflet.