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1862 - 1885 (23 years)

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Capt. Edward Story - Letters 1885 & 1886

From South Africa until his death there

Jan 4th 1885

Envelope countersigned W. Nelson, Officer Commanding

Stamped Cape Town, Cape Colony Ja 7/85, Bristol & Clifton Jan 27th.

Very faint pencil.

Dear Mama

You will be glad to hear that I am a full Sergeant. I now hold three ranks -

Captain of Militia
Lieut. Reserve of Officers
Sergt. 1st Mounted Rifles

so it is quite amusing. I was Sergt. of the guard the other day and had the pleasure of posting a full Colonel late deputy assistant Adjutant general just gazetted out of the army on retired pay as sentry. I was very pleased to get my promotion - I was rather afraid and I was going to be left out in the cold - as a lot of fellows were promoted to the rank of Corporal who had hardly any qualifications. But I was made straight a full Sergeant without being a Corporal. To be a sergeant in this corps is almost better than being a Militia Captain - There are now 8 troops - the first four are gentlemen troopers, the remainder Old Soldiers etc. I am in No. 7 - I get on very well with the men but I was sorry to leave my chums.

We are slowly getting our kits sorted out - I have plenty of work with stables and one thing or another - The horses are very light wiry animals - We have frightful sandstorms the sand combined with the heat is dreadful - I never was in better health all my life. We get up at 4 in the morning and go to bed at 9 o'clock. Sir Charles Warren won't allow us to drink anything so we have to be tea totallers - no drink is allowed in camp and we cannot go out of camp to get it.

I am afraid we will have no fighting - we certainly have to wangle it - If we don't fight of course we we shall have no medal or anything to show for our work. I do not know how long we shall be in this place. I am getting rather tired of being confined to camp.

I was delighted to get your latter - I don't think we shall go near Durban so that the order will not be much good.

I can only write about two lines at a time every minute goes the bugle for me as orderly Sergeant to get some men for some fatigue or other. I was awfully glad to get your letter the other day one is regularly out of the world here - I must stop.

With love to all

I am, you affect son

EJ Story

1st Feb. 1995

Envelope written all over, countersigned etc.

Dated Barkly 15th Feb, Bristol March 12th.

Mostly written in purple indelible pencil which has gone smudgy and come through the paper. At the top there is a sketch map showing the Vaal R., Bechuan Land, Grique Land etc. but the whole thing is very hard to see.

1st Mounted Rifles (Methuen's Horse)

Cape Colony

Barkly,

Grique Land West

Sunday Feb 1st/85

Dear Mama

I was glad to get your Xmas letter which I received a week ago. The last time I wrote was at Langford which I hope you got all right. I have drwan a small map thought I do not know whether you can understand it.

I will start with the beginning of the Expedition - we left Cape Town Dec 19th for Langford on the Orange River 570 miles by train 10 miles on foot from Orange River to Langford Camp. We remained at Langford up to Sunday Jan 13th we then marched on foot to Barkly a distance of 91 miles or more. We marched Jan. 13th even 5 miles, Wed. 14 miles. Thurs. 15, Fri, 13, Sat. 6 got to Barkly early in the morning Tuesday 20th. The miles are not measured and the only way to judge the miles is the time it takes a horse to do a mile (a horse in this country is supposed to do 6 miles an hour) the distances I have given are rather under than above.

The marching is very different to marching in England we had to march through long sandy tracks up to our ankles in sand (with our kit on) between the different water places hardly a scrap of green to be seen. We marched at sun rise to about 9am (sunrise 3.30am) and in the evening from 4 to about 8. At night we bivouacked. Once or twice on the march we got milk at 6d a glass and small cakes otherwise we had nothing but our rations. It is a hard life but I am in splendid health. I am forgetting what comfort is. Langford is a dreadful place but we had a jolly river there plenty of water and bathing. I never left camp the whole time I was there. I got my promotion to Sergeant there.

Sergeant's work is not very lively as you have to do all the rough nasty work and if you do not look out the slightest thing will get you in trouble. The work we did at Langford was nothing but fatigues. Barkly is a much better place, we are in camp on the Vaal River we are four miles from the town but are not allowed to leave the camp. Barkly town consists of very few houses and one or two stores. We are in the diamond country now and Kimberley is about 13 miles from us. They keep us very close and we are almost prisoners, they are so afraid that we shall get drink - the General is trying an experiment to see how soldiers can work in the tea total system. Every precaution is taken to stop men getting drink even the officers are not allowed liquor of any kind on camp. But they do - not us,

I belong to G troop which is not composed of gentlemen - they are very good men and of a superior class mostly old soldiers and men from ???? Volunteer Corps. I live in a round bell tent and have 14 fellows in the tent besides saddles and equipment. How we manage is a wonder but we do. I get on very well with the men but now and then I feel I have lost position. It is all very well but one cannot have much in common with them. Of course they have their own jokes which are usually very coarse which a gentleman cannot enjoy who had any refinement at all. I chum up with all the private soldiers etc. and put myself on equal terms with them. I find Tommy Atkins is not half a bad chap.

Feb 12th Taungs 85 miles from Barkly. When I started writing to you we received our horses and I had not time to continue it - We left Barkly Feb 5th and arrived here Feb 11th very hard work. I have had hardly any sleep, only twice out of my clothes and have only been able to get a tub twice. Sleeping out in the open every night I am in good health.

I was recommended by my Captain for a Commission but did not get it, at the same time I was offered a Commission in the Pioneer Corps but Col. Methuen would not let me leave the Regt. I have made a great mistake joining this Regt. I could have gone out as a Militia Officer easily - there are a lot of them out here and some are junior to me in the militia I have to salute them and sir them and all the rest - I am afraid all chance of a Commission is gone as I got into a row over a horse that was lost when I was in charge of the horses.

We are sure to fight and our troop is the first for it - and in a few days I expect we shall be for it - I met Captain Pennyfeather but here he was very jolly. I must stop my letter as the post goes. I got the drafts for money all right thank you.

I must say good-bye with love to all

I am

your affect son

E.J. Story

N.B. if you can please cut any scraps out of the news papers and send to me about the Expedition.

March 4 1885

Envelope stamped Barkly 9th Mar 85

Cape Town Mar 11
Bristol Mar 31

Letter written on a page torn from an accounts ledger.

Vryburg March 4th

Dear Mama

I hope you will be able to read this the last time I wrote was at Tuangs we have been a couple of weeks. We had a march of 44 miles from Tuangs and a very rough time we had, raining hard most of the time & had to sleep out in the open. We are in the rainy season which is very trying, continually wet through and unable to change. I am getting quite accustomed now to sleep under a bush and getting wet through but I must say I was never in better health in my life.

I do not think we are going to get any fighting aftert all. I wish they would settle the matter one way or the other as I am getting tired of being confined to camp living like a pig for no honour or glory. I hear that we have had a great disaster in Egypt. Col. Methuen has applied that thie Regt. may be sent to Egypt but I shall certainly try to go as a Militia Officer not in the ranks.

We have the chief of the Filibusters here Van Niekerk I was on guard over him the other day.This part of the country is far better than the country down south we have plenty of grass while from Cape Town to Barkly was nothing but sand. I would not live in this country for anything, everything is such a fearful price 1d = 6d here. Bread is 1s a loaf. One thing we get plenty of milk which is 6d a pint. It is a fearful business with the horses I must say I would almost march on foot than have all the bother with. In the middle of ones meals one has to turn out and feed horses after a long day's march wet through, before you do anything have to see the horses are right, a man when he has a sick horse and detached for duty you have to get him a mount at a moment's notice etc.

I wish I could manage to write you a long letter but as fast as I have started this letter I have been called away it is 3.30 now post goes at 5 and I have to go after some horses it seems always the way when I try to write.

Please thank Lou for her letter. I hope all are flourishing at home. I was very sorry to hear Oswald was so unwell I do hope he is better.

With best love to all

I am

Your affect son

Edward J Story

N.B. I must thank you for settling my affairs so well, I won't draw any money till I arrive home unless something unusual occurs.

March 22nd 1885

Envelope much torn.

Stamped Mar 29, Clifton Apr 22

A troop

Maritzane

March 22/84 (sic)

Dear Mama

We are still further up country and have been here a week, we only have four troops here - I have joined a troop which consists of nothing but gentlemen I like it very much. We have also in this troop a tent for the Sergt. which is very nice. All the Sergts. in this troop except the Sergt. Maj. are Militia Officers. It is pretty certain that we shall have no fighting - I expect the Regt. will remain up country for another month and then go down to Cape Town after that to Egypt. I have volunteered my services but I do not know whether it is a wise move as I hear the services of Militia Officers are being accepted - This is a splendid country - but all the people have cleared out of it. The Free booters cleared a great number of the Natives out & now the Free booters have run out of the country on A/C of us.

I was delighted to get your letter I received two in a couple of days one the birthday letter - You must not mind not getting so many letters from me as I get from you - It is no easy work to write a letter I can tell you - If any Mess Subscriptions are send to you would you kindly pay them.

I am glad Evelyn has started on his career I hope he will get on - Also that Os is better - I must thank Louisa for her letters. Bowen is flouruishing please thank Mr. & Mrs Evans for their kind enquiries.

I must stop

With best love to all

I am

Your affect son

Edward Story

This was his last letter

19th April 1885

Setlagoli is about 50 miles from Mafeking

Settagoli,

Settlaland

19th April 1885

My dear Edward (Bowen)

I have to convey to you the very melancholy news of poor Edward Story's death, he died last night at 8pm. I did not know that he was bad until yesterday when I had the enclosed telegram but it was 1pm when I started and had to ride 34 miles over a poor track nothing but grass & no houses or any other thing to guide one but the impressions of wheels on the Feldt. I galloped as hard as my horse would carry me but as I had to carry the whole of my kit and arms my horse was thoroughly done after 18 miles had been covered. I then fastened my horse to a bush, spread my blanket and slept until daylight. I then galloped up to this place, but I am sorry to say too late for my poor old friend had died. I have not been allowed to see him but the doctor said I might after dinner. I have been speaking to Col. Methuen. He proposed sending direct to Mrs. Story but I told him that as Mensie was a great friend of his it would be better that I should send & let Mensie have Col. Methuen's letter & ayou both can break the news gradually & then hand the letter. A very melancholy letter and I pity the poor Mother who has a favourite son buried in this cursed country.

I think these gradual measures adopted are more advisable than letting the news be taken by wire. I must say that the poor fellow was loved and respected by all who came in contact with him, to me he as through all been a firm friend. I am grieved beyond measure that I have lost him. The thought that he will, this afternoon, be laid in the cold earth in this outlandish and God forsaking & God forsaken place passes a cold chill over ones whole thoughts. However I suppose it is so decreed and we can do nothing,

The only consolation I can offer the poor Mother is, that hew son will have all the honour paid him that a soldier can & may as ???? that fate has been so hard. I am as you know a man of the world but I can concientiously say that poor Story, during the whole of our intimate acquaintance never harmed a human being by thought or word & was known to be a most honourable man. Please break the news as Mensie knows how - then hand the enclosed letter. I will write Mrs. Story myself shortly - in the meantime assure her that her son's remains will be paid all the respect it is in the powers of loving friends to bestow.

Your affectionate brother

Geoffry Bowen

April 18 1885

My dear Mrs Story

You have heard from Corporal Rodgers, formerly a Captain in the Army, of the severe illness of you son, you may have suspect that this was no ordinary attack. A long continued dysentary succeeded by fever. He has stood the attack from first to last bravely, without a murmur of pain, without a word of discontent - he never despaired for one moment until this moirning; he then felt his strength had given way, and hope was nearly past. He suffered no pain from first to last, I speak of the week's heavy fever, he had discomfort, no more.

I have been with him every day, as my wagon is close to his hospital tent, and I have been by his side until hism life has left this world. He passed away at 8pm today, as we may hope ourselves to breathe our last, in no pain, but concious to within a few hours of death. I asked the Medical Officer whether he wished me to break it to him that no hope remained but he asked me not to do until later, and the last attack came so suddenly that I had no chance of learning his last wishes. I did hint yesterday that he might like some message sent to you, but he said at once "Oh, it's not over yet." or words to that effect.

Your note enclosed he received this morning - it was read to him - and he made me read it to myself, he talked of you very much, and of his brother and sister; his thoughts were with you all and he often told me how he had soldiered for 7 months in the year, earning his £1.3.0 a day instructing Militia Regiments in musketry.

He was very pleased at having come out here, where he has done so well from the beginning. On board the Pembroke he showed that he was a valuable man, he became a Sergeant, and would have become an officer possibly if he had gone with us to Egypt. He never was strong; he broke down at Langford, and ever since that time he has never been strong.

And now, my dear Mrs. Story, you may ask what kind of a doctor attended your son? I can answer, a good doctor, a kind attentive man, Surgeon Robins, 4th Pioneers, he had good nurses to look after him, of course men. There was no clergyman, he is more than 40 miles away, and has his own troop to attend to and the other clergyman is on his way home with a fever similar to your son's. He asked me to read to him, and yesterday, also today - I read prayers and the bible.

My letter is absurdly too long, but I know myself how one looks for every little detail of the last moments of any who may be dear to us, it is with the sole object of telling you everything that I now write - He was a general favourite, he could not help being that, and he has given his life for our England as truly as he could have done in action, and as Commanding Officer I feel proud that men like your son have honoured me by letting me command them.

His funeral takes place tomorrow afternoon - he will be buried with the military honours of a Captain, & I will take care his grave is marked with stones and taken care of. I telegraphed too late for his friend Bowen.

You must let me know if I can give you any further information. His private things I enclose a list of and will at ince forward them to you.

Believe me, yours very truly,

Paul Methuen. Col. Commd.
Settlagoli: April 18.85

Poor Caroline, she made a little envelope of blue cotton material tied with a pink ribbon in which was all that was left of Ted - the few letters from him and his Colonel, the cuttings she had saved for him and one about his death saying he was a Musketry Instructor at Newtonards before going abroard.

In 1906 she was in touch with the Women's Guild of the Victoria League in South Africa and they had an iron cross erected and inscribed on huis grave. Many years later his sister Charlotte wrote to the same people for information and was sent some photos; this was in 1927/8

12 March 1886

53 Edgeware Road

London W,

12 March /86

Dear Story (Robert)

Soon after yr poor brother's death I intended to hav written but as you had been written to by the Colonel & others I thought it would only keep the wound fresh and therefore refrained from doing so. I was thinking of yr brother the other day & and as he was a very particular & valued friend of mine I was regretting that I had no momento of him & it occurred to me that perhaps you might have a spare photo of him which you would let me have - I really would value it very much.

Your brother & I struck up an intimate friendship in a curious manner - he related to me my own adventure which you had told him - the alarm at Virta when I let blaze at the dog - I had no idea till then that you were brothers. I saw him daily till a few days before his death being refused permission by the doctor. I regretted his death as much as if he had been my own brother - this is not a mere Facon de Parle - but the bare truth - you have no idea how I had to struggle with my feelings as I marched behind his body as one of the firing party. There was something which I cannot describe about your poor brother wch was very endearing but he was very difficult to know - at least very few knew his worth in the Regt. but he certainly had no emeny which is a good deal to say considering the heterogenous element of Methuen's Horse.

One great trait in his character wch attached me to him was his sublime love of soldiering you can guess how it influenced me who has got chronic fits of noyt soldiering but freelancing at any rate. There are very few of his stamp in the regiment. The majority were, to put it mildly ____ ____ young men.

I came back to England after the evacuation of Kandahar & since then it has been a chronic pot boilers for the press and expeditions abroard & so it will be I expect the end of the chapter. I hope the world treats you well but I don't expect you enjoy the whether we have been having.

Yours truly

Claude Hamilton

Linked to Capt. Edward Joseph Story

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