....Mr. F. H. Clayton has sent two exceedingly interesting letters to his wife, who resides in Audley [Blackburn]. Writing from the battlefield, Colenso, on December 17th, he says:—"I have only time to write you a few lines to let you know what I have gone through the last week. I joined the Volunteer Ambulance Bearer Corps of Natal a week to-day—pay, 5s. per diem. I will now give you a brief account of what I have passed through. Leaving Durban at 10 a.m., Monday, the 11th December, we reached Maritzburg at four o'clock. We were there met by Major Wright, of the Gordon Highlanders (who was wounded at Elandslaagte) and marched to a camp near by. Rations were then served out to us, also a blanket and a waterproof sheet; and about 10 p.m. we again formed into line and marched to the railway station, where coffee and sandwiches were given us, after which, at midnight, we entrained in open trucks for Frere. Here General Buller and his army were stationed. It was bitterly cold in the night, but we reached Frere Camp safely. Here we stayed until two o'clock on Thursday morning, when we marched with General Buller's full force within five miles of Colenso. We halted for the night, moving off again in the early morning to a position overlooking Colenso Bridge. At 6 a.m. the boom of the first cannon was heard and firing with big guns continued until well in the afternoon. I was an eye-witness of the greater part of the battle, though, of course, I could not see it from all sides, as I was busy helping to carry the wounded off the battlefield. I may say here that it was about as hot a day as even South Africa can boast of, and, unfortunately for all, water was almost unobtainable. Many times during the day bullets were flying around me, and I regret to say that three of our corps were shot dead and several badly wounded. Not 100 yards from where I was picking up a wounded man stood the ambulance, and I myself saw three shells fired at it. One of the shells went through the ambulance, killing the driver and the mules. I won't describe the battle, as you will have read all about it—unfortunately it was not a success to our arms, but I think the next ten days will tell a different tale. In spite of all we went through, both from heat, want of water, and the terribly strong position of the Boers, every man worked not only like a Trojan, but is only too anxious to go through the same again. Tommy Atkins is terribly in earnest, and says, "We will have them yet," He worked almost through the night, carrying the wounded five miles to the train, which conveyed them to Durban. Yesterday (Saturday) was another awful day. Though a truce of 24 hours had been declared, and there was no firing, a very unpleasant duty still remained—that of burying our dead. Volunteers were called for, and I and a number of others spent the whole day travelling over an area of at least 15 miles, locating the dead and giving them burial. I walked through the Boer lines, and talked to several of the burghers who seemed to be of the better class. I think I can safely say that I was the last Britisher who ever crossed Colenso Bridge, as at the time of writing, 12 o'clock, Sunday, we have just blown it up. Last night, terribly fatigued as we were, we had to carry some more of the wounded to a place called Chieveley, where we slept for a few hours on the veldt. To-day (Sunday) we are having a rest, though we have to walk five miles for a drop of water. I think you will agree with me that I have had a pretty trying week, but I, and all the others, were only too glad to do all we could do for a civilised cause. Whatever happens in the meanwhile we are bound to conquer in the end."—In the course of another letter from Estcourt, dated Jan. 17th, he remarks:—"Since writing you the enclosed (the first letter) we have been ordered back to Estcourt, arriving here this morning. Major Wright has just informed us that while staying here, and not on active duty, our pay would be only 1s. a day, like an ordinary soldier. There is a good deal of grumbling at this. The pay will be raised to 5s. a day when we are again employed on active service. My hand was so strained with carrying and lifting heavy weights that I have had to ask a private to write for me. It is a wonderI could do as much as I have done. I have come to the conclusion that I will resign and return to Durban, where I shall probably remain while the war lasts."
The Blackburn Times, Saturday 20th January 1900
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His two letters are dated December 17th, 1899, and January 17th, 1900, but the second one can't possibly have been written on that date, as it was published in an English newspaper on January 20th. He'd enlisted on December 10th, 1899, which fits with what he wrote in the first letter, and his discharge date in the nominal roll was December 22nd, 1899. Perhaps written around December 20th?
He might have been Frederick Thomas Helm, born Blackburn, 1863.
