Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Letters from Ryders at the Front

The Relief of Ladysmith Painting by John Henry Frederick Bacon

Mrs Stainer, of Ryde, has received a letter from her son, Mr George Stainer, stating that his horsemanship has been put to a somewhat severe test, as the animals given them to ride were Australian things that never appeared to have been ridden before.  “When you go to mount them (he writes) they kick like steam.  Mine threw me once, but has not been able to manage that since.”

He adds “I am writing this on the train.  We have been recalled from Richmond Road, where we have been for a fortnight, and are on our way to Capetown where we ship for Durban, to join the force for the relief of Ladysmith, where I expect we shall be when you get this letter. . . . . . . Richmond Road Station is within twenty miles of the Orange Free State Boarder, and the Boers were supposed to be close round us every night.  We weren’t allowed to walk about or lie down without our rifles and bandolines by our side.”

Mr H. Weeks has also received a letter from his son stating that he was going with Mr George Stainer to Durban to join General Buller’s force.

Source: IW Observer 27 January 1900 and RSHG Archive
Image: Wikipedia
Article: Ann Barrett