The
memorial is to be found in Whitehead Gardens, known as Clock Tower Gardens,
in front of the Town Hall bordered by Manchester Road and Knowsley Street,
Bury, Greater Manchester. It was originally situated in Market Place,
bury, but was moved in the 1980's when threatened by the traffic. It
takes the form of a bronze statue of a soldier standing in Fusilier's
dress, waving his cap, on a plinth upon which is the inscription. It
lists the men who died from the Lancashire Fusiliers, regular, militia
and volunteers, in South Africa 1900-1902. There are 170 names listed.
The memorial was unveiled on 18th March 1905 by the 17th Earl of Derby;
the sculptor was Sir George James Frampton.
Extract
taken from 'Our Regiments in South Africa' by John Stirling
published by Naval
and Military Press Ltd
THE
LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS.
THE 2nd Battalion sailed on the Norman on 2nd December, arrived at the
Cape about the 19th, and was sent round to Durban. Along with the 2nd
King's Royal Lancaster Regiment, 1st South Lancashire Regiment, and
the 1st York and Lancaster Regiment, they formed the 11th Brigade under
Major-General Woodgate, and part of the Vth Division under Sir Charles
Warren. The work of the brigade has been sketched under the Royal Lancaster
Regiment, and that of the Natal Army generally under the 2nd Queen's,
Royal West Surrey.
When Sir Charles Warren with three brigades was sent across at Trichard's
Drift, it will be remembered that the intention of the Commander-in-Chief
was that the force should push, via Acton Homes, round to the rear of
the Boer position. Sir Charles decided that this was not feasible, and
he set about clearing the hills on his right front. On the 20th January
he proceeded to put his new plan into execution. The 11th Brigade were
on the British right, to the west of Spion Kop. The Lancashire Fusiliers
on the right, and York and Lancaster on their left, were ordered to
attack a strong position, being assisted by the other infantry, notably
the Irish Brigade in the centre, and by six batteries of artillery-7th,
19th, 28th, 63rd, 73rd, and 78th—massed at Three-Tree Hill, and
the naval guns at Spearman's. The ground was very difficult, and the
Fusiliers were at times greatly cramped for space. About three o'clock
the visible crest was stormed by a grand rush, but the troops on reaching
the top found themselves in face of another and stronger position. They
could do nothing but hold on like flies on a wall, as one writer says.
That day cost the battalion 4 officers wounded, 18 men killed and about
90 wounded.
On the 21st the fighting was carried on chiefly at the left flank by
Hildyard's brigade.
On the night of the 23rd Spion Kop was taken, the Lancashire Fusiliers
being part of Woodgate's force and remaining on the summit all the 24th.
An account of the Spion Kop combat is given under the 2nd Royal Lancaster.
The Lancashire Fusiliers along with the other troops on the summit earned
the praises of General Buller. The losses of the battalion were very
severe-3 officers killed, 5 wounded, about 40 men killed, 100 wounded,
and some missing.
At Vaal Krantz the brigade was ordered to make a feint attack on the
British left, this was carried out satisfactorily. The battalion did
not take part in the fighting between 13th and 27th February, being
left along with other troops under Colonel Burn-Murdoch to hold an entrenched
post near the bridge over the little Tugela at Springfield, and other
positions on the left and rear. The Lancashire Fusiliers, now reduced
to about 500 men, held Frere till the 26th February, when they were
moved to Gun Hill and Chieveley.1 Nine officers and 16 men
were mentioned in Genera Buller's despatch of 30th March 1900, chiefly
for exceptional gallantry at Spion Kop, 5 being recommended for the
distinguished conduct medal. In his final despatch of 9th November 1900
General Buller mentioned 7 officers and 2 non-commissioned officers,
and in Lord Roberts' final despatch 10 officers and 19 non¬commissioned
officers and men were mentioned.
When General Buller moved into the Transvaal the Vth Division remained
about the railway, and then operated in the south-east of that country,
the Utrecht-Vryheid district, and frequently saw tough fighting. The
Mounted Infantry of the Lancashire Fusiliers formed part of the garrison
of Yryheid when that town was attacked on 10th - 11th December 1900.
After very severe fighting the enemy was driven off with a loss of 100
killed and wounded. The men of the battalion had about 10 casualties.
At Fort Itala on 26th September 1901 (see 2nd Royal Lancaster) the 2nd
Lancashire Fusiliers were represented in the little force which made
one of the finest stands recorded in the campaign. One man of the battalion
was killed and 5 wounded.
In January 1901 the battalion entrained at Dundee for the Pretoria district.
On arriving about Elandsfontein five companies were put into the column
of Colonel Allenby, and three companies, under Major Tidswell, into
the column of Colonel E. C. Knox, these columns being two of those then
commencing the great sweep under General French to the Piet Retief district.
In the beginning of May the battalion got together again at Middelburg
and relieved the 2nd Berkshire Regiment on the railway line. Headquarters
were at Wonderfontem.2 The battalion remained in the Eastern
Transvaal till peace was declared.
Some Mounted Infantry of the battalion were present at Kaffir's Spruit
on 19th December 1901, when 1 non-commissioned officer and 2 privates
gained mention in despatches by Lord Kitchener. In the final despatch
5 officers and 8 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned.
1
General Buller's despatch of 28th March 1900, Atkin's Relief of Ladysmith,
p. 269, Lancashire Fusiliers' Annual, 1901.
2
The Lancashire Fusiliers' Annual, 1901.
