George Wilfred Proud was a well known Evenwood chap who was landlord of the Travellers’ Rest pub. He served in the British Army during the Boer War.
FAMILY BACKGROUND
George Wilfred Proud was born 16 December 1879 at Evenwood, the son of George (1854-1919) and Margaret Proud (nee Million, 1853-1926). His siblings were Sarah bc.1880, Isabell bc.1882, Thomas bc.1884 and Lyons bc.1891. George and Margaret Proud were the innkeepers of the Trotters Arms, Ramshaw. Keeping public houses was a family occupation. George Wilfred’s grandparents, (another) George and Sarah Proud, ran the Bridge Inn at Ramshaw. In 1881, Sarah Proud, his grandmother, was recorded as an, “innkeeper” of the Bridge Inn. At this time, George Wilfred Proud, recorded as grandson, lived with her together with her children Abraham, Frances, son-in-law Mathew Tate and 2 other grandchildren, Elizabeth and John Tate. George Wilfred’s grandfather is confirmed by the earlier census of 1871. George was married to Sarah and he was an innkeeper of the Bridge Inn. Their children were George bc.1855, Sarah bc.1859, Margaret Ellen bc.1860 and Frances bc.1863. George Wilfred Proud and he was not recorded on the 1901 census. This is because he was serving in the armed forces in South Africa.
1904: George W. Proud married Elizabeth Ann Towers.
1911: George W. and Elizabeth Proud were innkeepers at the Travellers Rest, Evenwood. At this time, they had 2 children:
- Wilfred bc.1906
- Ethel Ena bc.1907
George W. Proud’s father George died in 1919 and his mother, Margaret in 1926.
1939: George Wilfred Proud was recorded as an, “innkeeper and small holder” at the Travellers Rest. Living there was his son Wilfred, born 16 March 1906, who worked as a colliery stoneman and (presumably) his daughter Elsie Proud, born 28 July 1902 and (presumably) their granddaughter Elsie, born 23 February 1927.
Below:
1939 England & Wales Register: Detail to show George W. Proud
G.W Proud died 13 August 1957 aged 76.
MILITARY DETAILS
8099 Private George Proud served with the 1st Volunteer Service Company attached to the 1st Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry during the Boer War (1899 – 1902) and was in South Africa for 1 year and 97 days between 23 February 1900 and 30 May 1901. 1/DLI came under the orders of the 4th (Light) Brigade of the 2nd Division.
Below:
Army Form B.111: Detail
Attestation
25 January 1900: George Proud aged 23 years 1 month, signed the attestation form which records the following details.
Description
He stood 5’9” and weighed 158 lbs. He had a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His faith was Church of England.
Medical Examination
26 January 1900: He underwent a medical examination at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was considered fit for the Army.
Statement of the Services of George Proud
- 25 January 1900: Commencement of his engagement
- 26 January 1900: Joined at Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- 27 January 1900: Attested
- 23 February 1900: Posted to 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry
- 6 June 1901: Discharged on termination of engagement
- Total Service: 1 year 133 days
Military History Sheet
- Home: 25 January 1900 to 22 February 1900
- South Africa: 23 February 1900 to 30 May 1901, 1 year 97 days
- Home: to 6 June 1901
- Total: 1 year 133 days
Campaigns
South African 1900 – 1901
Medals
South African
Next of Kin
George Proud, father, Trotters Arms, Evenwood
THE DURHAM VOLUNTEERS
The volunteers from south west Durham belonged to the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, the Durham Light Infantry. The area included Bishop Auckland, Middleton, Stanhope and Barnard Castle. Its HQ was at Bishop Auckland. In January 1900 an appeal was made to the Volunteer Battalions to raise a company of 116 all ranks to reinforce their regular battalions serving in South Africa. The 1st Battalion, DLI. a regular army battalion, was already serving in South Africa.
Many more men in County Durham responded to this call than were required. The Durham Volunteer Battalions contributed 10 officers and not less than 400 men.
23 February 1900: The 1st Volunteer Service Company embarked at Southampton and reached the 1st Battalion, DLI early in April soon after the relief of Ladysmith. It was camped at Elandslaagte and shared the same fortunes as the 1/DLI until 9 October 1900 when it was sent to Van Reesnen as part of the Drakensberg Defence Force. It remained there until April 1901 and embarked for home at Durban 8 May 1901.
“The battalion (1/DLI) lay on Sunday’s River near Elandslaagte, from 9th March to 10th April, where it was joined by the 1st Volunteer Service Company, an accession which brought its strength up to a total of 29 officers and 1400 NCOs and men. While drilling in camp on 10th April it was, unexpectedly, shelled by the enemy, losing 4 men wounded and it underwent a similar experience on 13th May at Vermaak’s Kraal after it had moved up to face the Laing’s Nek position. But it took no part in the fighting at Alleman’s Nek and it reached Vlakfontein, near Greylingstad, peacefully on 4th July.
Indeed, it never again went into action as a battalion during the remainder of the war, although forming for about a month from 7th August, part of a column under Clery [Lieut. General, 2nd Division] operating in the Greylingstad and Standerton area.
After entry into the Transvaal the 2nd and 5th Divisions were allotted the boring but necessary task of guarding the line of communication through Natal, the shortest and most reliable supply route for the army in the Transvaal. The 2nd Division was made responsible for the section of railway from Heidelberg to Kromdraai. From the end of September until the end of December the battalion (less one company detached to Kaffirspruit and Vlaklaagte) lay at Standerton. In the last days of 1900 it was moved farther up the line to Eden’s Kop near Fortuna and closer to brigade HQ at Heidelberg. Detachments were supplied at Vlakfontein, Suikerbosch, Spruit, Rustfontein and Kilfontein but otherwise for close on a year it remained stationary, if not undisturbed, at Eden’s Kop until the end of October 1901.”
Peace was signed 31 May 1902.
8099 Private G. Proud was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with the following clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal and Laing’s Nek.
Below:
Medal Rolls dated 2 August 1901 & 3 June 1905
G. Proud has the rank of Lance Corporal on the Bishop Auckland commemorative plaque. The plaque in Bishop Auckland Town Hall honours the volunteers. Lance Corporal G. Proud, who served with the 1st Volunteer Service Company, is recorded.
Under the Army reforms of 1908, the Volunteer Forces were dissolved 31 March 1908. The Territorial Force was inaugurated the following day when it was organised into regional Divisions, area Brigades and local Battalions. A military service record for G.W Proud has not been found. It is assumed that he did not continue his service in the Territorial Force, or at the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, volunteer into Kitchener’s Army and he was not conscripted to serve during the war. Presumably, men who had served in South Africa were not required to serve.
Prior to the Second World War, 1939-1945, George W. Proud, was landlord of the Travellers Rest. When war was declared, he volunteered to join the ARP (Air Raid Precautions) First Aid.
THE BOER WAR COMMEMORATION
Bishop Auckland Town Hall is the home of a commemoration to the 136 men who served with the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Durham Light Infantry and participated in the Boer War 1899-1902. The text reads:
Boer War 1899-1902
In grateful remembrance of the members of the 2nd Vol. Battn. Durham Light Infantry who in a day of stress and danger offered themselves in patriotic devotion to safeguard the interests of the Empire and served in South Africa with the Volunteer Service Companies and Imperial Yeomanry.
Erected by their fellow townsmen and friends.
It lists the names and rank of those serving with the following companies and yeomanry.
- 1st Service Co. with Durham L.I. with 25 names including Lance Corporal G. Proud
- 2nd Service Co. with Durham L.I. with 26 names
- 3rd Service Co. with Durham L.I. with 22 names
- Service Co. with Northumberland Fusiliers with 27 names including Private W. Proud
- Served with Imperial Yeomanry with 36 names
Below:
The Commemorative Plaque in Bishop Auckland Town Hall
EVENWOOD RAMSHAW & DISTRICT HISTORY SOCIETY 