1900
LETTERS FROM THE FRONT. Trooper Carstairs, late of Cellardyke, of the 14th Hussars, sends us the following particulars:— Thursday, 22nd Feb. 1900.—Had an early start and reached the fighting line about 7 a.m., and witnessed from our place of safety the Infantry being shelled. The Infantry had to retire, but I don’t know whether they were exposed simply to draw out the enemy’s fire. Heavy shell fire going on while writing. About 6.30 or 7 p.m. a general attack was made, and one could hear the awful roar of shell and rifle fire in the dark, which to the unaccustomed ear would bring terror. Wounded are being sent down country by train. Friday 23rd Feb, 1900.—We have now crossed the river. While doing so we had a warm time of it. The Boers had Long Tom playing on us although I don’t know of any casualties, yet one shell burst not very far from me, and a piece went whizzing in the air and dropped uncomfortably close to me, throwing the dust in my eyes. For almost an hour we had a warm time of it, and while passing one hospital 2 shells were lodged very close to them. Thank God no one was hit in the hospital. To be shot in hospital seems awful. Of course I don’t say the Boers were trying to shell the hospital. They seemed to be trying for the transport and pontoon bridges, but were going wide. One Shrapnel burst over our heads, but too high to do any harm. Now besides the bridge that was blown up by the Boers, I saw the positions that were reckoned impregnable. On the tops they had their walls built of large stones and behind the summit they had houses made of zinc and tin, and under the level of the hillsides, so that a shell could not possibly turn them out. We are hiding for the night behind a small copje just enough to keep us from being hit by shells. We are such a large target. We are ordered to form the support to Lord Dundonald in his advance. Saturday, 24th Feb.. 1900.—Early reveille and standing ready. Firing still heavy and shells bursting on our left. Rain falling heavily although I am in a dry place, yet the other poor fellows who are fighting must be drenched to the skin long ago. Of course, that includes both armies. Before the rain the ground was parched and dry, but now It is like a wet sponge. It will go hard with all flesh bivouacking tonight, and so I sincerely hope it will fair up. Weather good again, still behind the hill dodging the shells. We are now ordered back across the river, and had strange experiences, what with loosing my ambulance and hunting for it, dodging shells and crossing the river, got into camp about 11 p. m. Sunday, 25th Feb. 1900.—Early reveille. Throwing out outposts on Hursur Hill to prevent the Boers crossing the river on our flank. (This hill got its name I think from our regiments outposts being attacked there.) Armistice formed to bury dead. Stern attack made tonight by Boers to take the naval guns but repulsed on every side with heavy losses Monday, 26th Feb. 1900.—Fire opened at daybreak. We expect to celebrate to-morrow the anniversary of Majuba by a general attack. Changed camps to Colenso with Boer guns playing us, and now we are going back to Chieveley for water at a safe place, awfully wet, simply a swamp. Tuesday, 27th Feb. 1900.—Ordered again to the front. Firing going on heavy. News comes from the front that the heights are taken. The infantry charged the trenches with the bayonet, and took some prisoners. Wednesday 28th Feb. 1900.—Early Reveille. I have just been looking at some Boer prisoners. A number of Kaffirs went to see them and speaking in their own language and asked the prisoners for their pass. When a nigger went into the Transvaal they were always asked for their pass, and now they thought they had the pull at them and shouted out while they passed, “where is your pass.” Some of the prisoners seemed quite ashamed and could not look us in the face, whether it was being ashamed of being taken prisoner or ashamed of their cause for acclaiming war I cannot say. Trooper Pike, “B” Squadron 13th Hussars was wounded in the shoulder while forming an escort to a Battery of Artillery. I saw some bad cases in the hospital. One man vomiting blood against the tent, which seemed to be coming from his wound. One Boer was wounded in the neck, and one man run over by a waggon. At another hospital I looked in at the operating tent, and saw one man being dealt with. At another place I saw 3 Boers wounded by Lydite. They seemed awful cases, one of them seemed to have inhaled the Lydite. another one’s shoulder blown off by a shell and the other had his hip badly hurt. 2 women were buried in the trenches, another woman awfully cut up, and I am told a little boy was found close to his mother. Ladysmith is practically relieved. A squadron was ordered to make a dash for Ladysmith, but owing to the shrapnel that was poured upon them had to retire. While we thus engaged the enemy, the Colonial Light Horse went over the hills and got into Ladysmith Thursday, 1st March 1900.—Cavalry advanced to Unblwana to visit it and see whether the Boers had evacuated it or not. The Boers left a great many things behind them in the speedy retreat. Many of the men managed to get a lot of useful things for wearing. Encamped behind Unblwana. Cavalry went into Ladysmith and great was the cheering they had. Not far from Unblwana is a neutral camp a hospital about a mile in circumference full of sick. Saturday, 3rd March 1900 —Marched through Ladysmith, and on to a camp beyond. They certainly had a tight corner to protect. They were hiding behind everything they could, and could only walk about after dark with safety. Some of the places are destroyed by shell fire, also the Town Hall. Sunday, 4th March 1900.–Ordinary duties of Barrack room. Monday, 6th March 1900.-14th Hussars sent out to reconnoitre the country towards Dundee. Got another ambulance and have taken my broken one to the Ordnance Corps for repairs. We have had a sand storm which completely blinds you. Tuesday, 6th March 1900.—We are now sent out to reconnoitre the country for 3 days towards Dundee and Glencoe. We are now near Elangslaagte and now halted for a rest. The 14th Hussars are reported to have captured 2 Boers prisoners and have one Sergt-Major missing. One of the men was badly hurt owing to his horse coming down. Wednesday, 7th March 1900.—The 14th Hussars ordered back to Ladysmith, and I hear they are to join General French’s column which is up the Free State way. An officer’s patrol was attacked, belong to the 13th, and had one man shot dead and an officer wounded in the shoulder and another man wounded in the hip. They got full information from a man professing to be an Englishman. He was afterwards captured and is now a prisoner. Wounded doing well. Thursday, 8th March 1800.—Outposts as usual. Mail going out.
Mr A. Black, manufacturer, Cellardyke, has this week sent to the order of Colonel Erskine, St Andrews, 2 more canvas bags for the volunteers who are at the front. Mr Black also furnished the last contingent with the same articles free of cost, for which he has received a very cordial acknowledgment from Colonel Erskine on behalf of the war authorities.
1901
The almost forgotten rivalry of Crail v. Cellardyke was rekindled last week, when teams in each town were whipped up to meet in the Martin White ties at Wald Park. Crail had youth and speed, but the Bluejackets were heavy and full of dash. They were always dangerous, but the skill of Crail lads was equal to the occasion and after an exciting finish they pulled off the tie by 3-2.
Census 1901 – Anstruther-Wester.—The returns show the population to be 558, against 593 in 1891, decrease of 35. In the burgh the figures are 476, and in the landward part 82. The males have decreased 25, and the females by 10. Pittenweem.—The population is now 1907, against 1991, a decrease of 84. the burgh the population is 1859, and in the landward part 48.
Crail.—The total population is 1531, made of 1087 in the town, the landward part, and 16 on the island of May. with 1891, there is a decrease of 82. the figures then being 1613.
Kilrenny.—ln Cellardyke the population is 2353, against 2429—decrease of 76; in village of Kilrenny, 189, against 181—increase 8; in landward portion, 242. against 279—decrease of 37; and in Anstruther, easter portion of parish, 150. against 109—increase of 41. The net decrease is 64.
1902
Kilrenny Town Council have accepted an offer by Messrs Adam & Co Glasgow, to carry out the harbour improvements of Cellardyke at a cost of £1657. It was agreed to get a loan of £400to carry out the works.
Died– Corstorphine, at her grandfather’s house, 14 George Street, Cellardyke on the 12th instant, Mary Corstorphine aged 16 years, second daughter of Alex. Corstorphine fisherman, sadly missed.
1903
The Ballarat Star of February 17th, has the following paragraph relating to the death of a descendant of a well known Cellardyke fisherman:—The news of the very sudden death of Mr Birrell, the assistant clerk of courts at Ballarat, came as a painful surprise to his many friends and acquaintances, with whom he had made himself very popular. Before the business was commenced at the City Court, Mr W. Dickson referred to the sad occurrence in regretful terms, and paid a high tribute to the ability and geniality of the deceased gentleman. Their sincere sympathy would be’ extended to his widow and relatives. Mr Lazarus on behalf of the legal profession, also expressed the sorrow that was felt at the loss of Mr Birrell. Sub- Inspector Steel remarked simply—”He was a thorough gentleman.” All evidently felt the loss of one who had always been so obliging and painstaking. Mr Birrell was only 33 years of age, and he leaves a widow to mourn her loss.
1904
The new fishing boat which was built some time ago, was launched on Tuesday by Mr Miller. The boat which is 70 feet long, 21 ½ feet of beam, and 9 feet deep, has been sold to Messrs Charles Marr and Sons, Cellardyke. As she left the ways she was named the Ocean Foam by a grandchild of Mr Charles Marr. The boat is of very substantial build, and one of the best models that has come from Mr Miller’s yard. The workmen had some difficult work in getting the boat on the ways from the position in which she had been lying for some months, but accomplished their task in a very creditable way and without any mishap. Mr Miller is to lay the keel of a hopper for the North British Railway Company.
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