Corps of Military Police

Soldier Details:

Surname: Anstey

Initials: S.K.

Rank: Lance Corporal

Army No.: .666

Notes: MFP. Enlisted 9/3/96, born Topsham, Exeter, Devon, occupation labourer. Died at Shorncliffe 22/11/04. Army Register of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929. He left and estate valued at £11.12.8 which was divided between his Mother, Brothers and Sisters. Sidney K Ainstey He has the same No. as A/Sgt J Livesey, MMP. Extract from the Folkestone, Hythm Sandgate & Chorlton Herald, 26/11/04. Soldier's Sad Death. Corporal Anstey Dies On His Way Back to Camp. Mr R Mercer, Coroner for East Kent, held an inquest on Wednesday afternoon at the Police Station Room on the camp, touching the death of Lance Corporal Sydney Anstey, Military Foot Police, age 26. Sergeant Major White, the Mounted Military Police identified the body, and stated that the deceased had been to Folkestone on Tuesday on pleasure, having left his quarter's early. Private Austin, South Lancashire Regiment, deposed that about 10 o'clock the previous night he had met the deceased about half-way up Mill Hill. They started a conversation about football and the military cup draws. The deceased, complained of feeling unwell, and asked the witness to assist him, which he did, then he seemed to gasp for breath and fell to the ground. After spending five minutes with him, and trying to pick him up, but being unable to do anything for him, witness ran to the guardroom for help. Corporal Colbrook also of the South Lancashire Regiment, stated that with the assistance of three other men he picked the deceased up and carried him to the guard room, where the discovered that he was dead. Witness sent for the medical officer, who, upon arrival, pronounced life extinct. Dr Fairrie, medical officer, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, stated that when he was called to see the deceased he found life to be extinct. Witness had subsequently made a post-mortem examination and attributed the cause of death to heart failure. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony. Much sympathy is expressed with the relatives of the deceased in the sad loss which they have sustained. Anstey was a very popular and zealous non-commissioned officer, and was well liked by all his comrades on the camp, and by all with whom he came into contact. Previously he served with the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, and took part in the battles at Talana Hill and Elandslaagte, and the retreat of the force under Colonel Yule into Ladysmith. He endured the hardships of the siege and fought with his battalion at the fight on Wagon Hill. On the relief of the garrison by General Buller, he served on until the end of hostilities in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, coming home in January, 1903.

Decorations/Medals/Awards (2)

1. Decoration: Queen's South Africa Medal

Gazette Date: 1901-10-11

Gazette Issue: WO 100/174

Gazette Page: 6

Citation: Clasps: Belfast, Elandslaagte,Defence of Lady Smith. Awarded as 4703 Pte, S Anstey, 1 Devonshire Regiment.

2. Decoration: King's South Africa Medal

Gazette Date: 1903-04-08

Gazette Issue: WO 100/322

Gazette Page: 113

Citation: Clasps: South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902. Awarded as 4703 Pte R S Anstey 1 Devonshire Regiment later 2 Devonshire Regiment.

Casualty Details:

Date Killed:	22nd November 1904
Company:	UNKNOWN
Cemetery:	UNKNOWN UNITED KINGDOM
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Grave Photograph:

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Surname:	Anstey
Initials:	S.K.
Rank:	Lance Corporal
Army No.:	.666
Notes:	MFP. Enlisted 9/3/96, born Topsham, Exeter, Devon, occupation labourer. Died at Shorncliffe 22/11/04. Army Register of Soldiers' Effects, 1901-1929. He left and estate valued at £11.12.8 which was divided between his Mother, Brothers and Sisters. Sidney K Ainstey He has the same No. as A/Sgt J Livesey, MMP. Extract from the Folkestone, Hythm Sandgate & Chorlton Herald, 26/11/04. Soldier's Sad Death. Corporal Anstey Dies On His Way Back to Camp. Mr R Mercer, Coroner for East Kent, held an inquest on Wednesday afternoon at the Police Station Room on the camp, touching the death of Lance Corporal Sydney Anstey, Military Foot Police, age 26. Sergeant Major White, the Mounted Military Police identified the body, and stated that the deceased had been to Folkestone on Tuesday on pleasure, having left his quarter's early. Private Austin, South Lancashire Regiment, deposed that about 10 o'clock the previous night he had met the deceased about half-way up Mill Hill. They started a conversation about football and the military cup draws. The deceased, complained of feeling unwell, and asked the witness to assist him, which he did, then he seemed to gasp for breath and fell to the ground. After spending five minutes with him, and trying to pick him up, but being unable to do anything for him, witness ran to the guardroom for help. Corporal Colbrook also of the South Lancashire Regiment, stated that with the assistance of three other men he picked the deceased up and carried him to the guard room, where the discovered that he was dead. Witness sent for the medical officer, who, upon arrival, pronounced life extinct. Dr Fairrie, medical officer, of the Royal Army Medical Corps, stated that when he was called to see the deceased he found life to be extinct. Witness had subsequently made a post-mortem examination and attributed the cause of death to heart failure. The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony. Much sympathy is expressed with the relatives of the deceased in the sad loss which they have sustained. Anstey was a very popular and zealous non-commissioned officer, and was well liked by all his comrades on the camp, and by all with whom he came into contact. Previously he served with the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, and took part in the battles at Talana Hill and Elandslaagte, and the retreat of the force under Colonel Yule into Ladysmith. He endured the hardships of the siege and fought with his battalion at the fight on Wagon Hill. On the relief of the garrison by General Buller, he served on until the end of hostilities in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, coming home in January, 1903.