A CENTURY ago, Worcester and surrounding towns and villages were giving triumphant welcomes home to their local volunteer soldiers, returning from active service against the Boers in the South African War.

When the conflict broke out in October 1899, many thousands of men from the nation's factories, farms and firms volunteered to join newly-created battalions to go off to South Africa.

Presumably, this considerable volunteer force had to be recruited hurriedly in late 1899, because Britain's Regular Army of the time was inadequate and unprepared.

However, the recruitment operation proved so successful that Britain was eventually able to command total forces of 500,000 men in South Africa, very much outnumbering the 80,000 Boers. At least 2,000 Worcestershire men joined up as Volunteers.

Throughout the two-and-a-half years of the war, Berrow's Worcester Journal reported in detail on the battles in South Africa and on the exploits, heroics and tragedies involving men of this city and county, particularly those in the Worcestershire Regiment and the Worcestershire Yeomanry.

The Berrow's also carried reports in late 1899, and early 1900, of send-off parties given by Worcester firms for employees who had volunteered for service in South Africa. As an example, tin and container makers Williamsons of the Providence Works gave several such farewell parties, having hundreds of employees.

I found details too of a "smoking concert" given as a send-off for Trooper Perkins by the Worcester Gas Company where he had been an employee for six years. He was leaving his wife and children to join the Mounted Police in South Africa.

There was also a smoking concert at the Horn and Trumpet in Angel Street, for William Munn, who was presented with a solid gold ring as a farewell gift from his colleagues working for the Severn Commission at Diglis Lock where he was a carpenter.

Sadly, a significant number of Worcestershire men died in the Boer War, not only killed in action but succumbing to typhoid and fevers rampant in the appalling battlefield conditions.

Sons of gentry and of farm workers were among the cross-section of men who never returned to their native county.

I have selected just three of the many Berrow's Journal reports of the deaths of local men in South Africa.

6 "We regret to announce the death of Lance Corporal Fred Oakley from enteric fever (typhoid). He was the first man from Bromyard to volunteer for South Africa and had a thoroughly hearty send-off, he and his parents being highly-respected."

6 "Sergeant A. Bednall of St John's, Worcester, has died of fever in South Africa and will be much mourned by his colleagues in the Worcester City Police Force. He was a drill instructor in the City Constabulary for some years before volunteering for South Africa."

6 "Jim Elton, late of Moor House, Powick, has been killed in action in South Africa."

Berrow's Journal also gave occasional details of battlefield promotions and of medal awards for gallantry to Worcestershire men.

And it wasn't just manpower that was vigorously recruited to fight the Boers. The War Office also commandeered a large number of horses belonging to farmers and landowners across the nation, including many in Worcestershire.

During the absence of family breadwinners in South Africa, the Mayor and Corporation of Worcester launched a fund-raising campaign to support the local wives and children of those fighting for their country.

Re-visiting Hanbury Hall, the magnificent country mansion near Droitwich, the other day, I was fascinated to spot on display a rifle with a small silver plate inscribed: "Trooper G. Vernon, Rimington's Guides. South Africa 1900-01."

That Trooper of the Boer War became Sir George Vernon of Hanbury Hall who, alas, shot himself in 1940, at the age of 75. He clearly did not use the rifle on display as the gun he used was buried alongside him in his coffin.

It was in June and July 1901, that the volunteer soldiers returned home in large numbers from South Africa, presumably because the major battles, such as Ladysmith and Mafeking had been won, and Britain's Regular Army had been bolstered to sufficient numbers to defeat the Boers.

Even so, it was not until May 1902, that peace treaties were finally signed.

Berrow's Journal devoted many columns to the heroes' welcomes accorded to the city and county Volunteers returning home a century ago.

Under the headlines "Return of the Worcestershire Volunteers - A Magnificent Reception" and "Conquering Heroes - Scene of Wild Excitement," Berrow's stated:

"The city was moved to a great display of enthusiasm on the return of the Volunteers. It will be remembered that a Service Company of 135 officers and men was raised in Worcestershire of the 1st and 2nd Volunteer Battalions. They went out to South Africa in February of last year amid the plaudits from the public for their self-sacrifice.

"Alas, eight of the company are lying under the South African velt, another on the bed of the Atlantic, and 32 have previously been invalided back to this country. The remaining 90 or so officers and men returned to Worcester last weekend, and to them a reception, magnificent in its warmth, was accorded. Civilians who had been their work colleagues before they volunteered, joined heartily in the demonstration which delighted the soldiers beyond measure. Most were much moved.

"Long before the anxiously-awaited train arrived, a great crowd had assembled at Shrub Hill.

"A few privileged people were on the platform including parents and friends of the men and the 32 Volunteers previously invalided home and dressed in khaki. Also drawn up on the platform were 130 members of the 1st Worcestershire Artillery Volunteers with their band.

"As the train steamed into the station, the band greeted the soldiers with 'See The Conquering Hero Comes.' Soon, however, the music was drowned in the mighty cheers that went up from those assembled on the platform and in the precincts of the station. The returned men rushed to carriage windows and replied with hearty cheers.

"The pent-up emotions of mothers, sisters and sweethearts unmanned the swarthy Volunteers. But the moving feelings were of joy and, in the hurry of the proceedings, were quickly overcome by the soldiers, if not so soon by their lady friends.

"On the march down from Shrub Hill to the Guildhall, there were scenes of the wildest excitement. Every soldier's chum bore in upon him irresistibly and the procession became a happy mixture of soldiers and friends. The Volunteers enjoyed the roars and cheers that arose at every turn.

"The pathways were full of joyfully shouting spectators and every window of every house on the route was also full of people roaring with delight and waving handkerchiefs as tokens of affection.

"As the Guildhall was neared, the struggle for progress became harder and harder, and the procession had to make its way step by step. The shouts of welcome became a deafening roar and the men were clearly enjoying the admiration of those from whom they had been so long parted."

In the Guildhall, the Volunteers were "accorded a splendid lunch" by the Mayor and Corporation but on a serious note, the First Citizen, Councillor J.A Steward urged local employers to give back to the returning soldiers the same or similar posts to those they had left.

"He reminded the employers that the men had given up civil employment to serve their country. He realised that the employers had not expected the men to be away for so long and had, in some cases, replaced them.

"The Mayor feared that many men would not get back the positions they had left and would naturally feel hurt. He hoped employers would strive earnestly to re-instate the Volunteers to their jobs."

From the Guildhall, the Volunteers again marched through cheering crowds to a special service of thanksgiving in Worcester Cathedral.

The same Berrow's Journal issue also carried a long report of the return home two days later of men of the Worcestershire Imperial Yeomanry. Unfortunately, they arrived at Shrub Hill a day early and had not been expected, and there was only "a sparse assemblage of relatives and friends" at the station to greet them.

However, news of their arrival quickly spread through the city, and large crowds soon gathered to cheer them along their route to the Guildhall.

There were then similar scenes to those that had greeted the Volunteers. The Yeomanry too, were entertained to lunch at the Guildhall.

Berrow's Journal also reported on a special reception at the Shirehall the same day to celebrate the return of an individual - Mr S. Thornely, Clerk to Worcestershire County Council.

"He has returned to his duties at the Shirehall, much sun-browned and apparently fit and well after serving in South Africa for 18 months as Captain of the Cheshire Volunteer Service Company.

"At various times he was in charge of up to 750 men involved in bridge building and also in action against the Boers."

Surrounding towns and villages also laid on welcome home receptions for Volunteers in the summer of 1901.

For instance, Berrow's Journal said that Alfrick had "put on its gayest appearance" to welcome home Mr E.F.H Evans who had spent 15 months actively engaged in the war as a Lieutenant in Paget's Horse Troop. And at Shrawley, Trooper Cecil Marks of Wood Farm returned to a thanksgiving service in the parish church. "The bells rang out merry peals throughout the day."

* Kitchener's call to arms

THERE must still be many in existence, but I had never before seen a copy of a "confidential" letter handed to every British serviceman posted abroad on active service during the First World War.

I am therefore grateful to reader Maureen Chadburn of Worcester, for kindly supplying me with a copy from her family archives. It makes extremely fascinating reading!

The letter was signed by "Kitchener, Field Marshall" and begins with the note: "This paper is to be considered by each soldier as confidential and is to be kept in his Active Service Pay Book."

The letter reads: "You are ordered abroad as a soldier of the King to help our French comrades against the invasion by a common Enemy.

"You have to perform a task which will need your courage, your energy, your patience.

"Remember that the honour of the British Army depends on your individual conduct.

"It will be your duty not only to set an example of discipline and perfect steadiness under fire but also to maintain the most friendly relations with those whom you are helping in this struggle.

"The operations in which you are engaged will, for the most part, take place in a friendly country, and you can do your own country no better service than in showing yourself in France and Belgium in the true character of a British soldier.

"Be invariably courteous, considerate and kind. Never do anything likely to injure or destroy property, and always look upon looting as a disgraceful act. You are sure to meet with a welcome and to be trusted; your conduct must justify that welcome and that trust.

"Your duty cannot be done unless your health is sound. So keep constantly on your guard against any excesses. In this new experience you may find temptations both in wine and women.

"You must entirely resist both temptations and, while treating all women with perfect courtesy, you should avoid any intimacy.

"Do your duty bravely. Fear God. Honour the King."