BENJAMIN GARWOOD

BEN

Born: 1866, Playford, Suffolk.

Baptised: 28th November 1869, at Playford, Suffolk. Parents: Benjamin & Emma Garwood.

Died: 30th January 1902; age: 35; Died of Enteric Fever at Bethlehem, Free State, South Africa.

ENTERIC FEVER   Enteric Fever (eneterica serotype bacteria) was a rampant bacterial infection during the South Africa Boer War – 1899 – 1902.

This systemic disease, now known as Typhoid Fever, from the bacterium Salmonella typhi, is characterised by fever and abdominal pain. The disease is spread via the lymphatic system and can affect other parts of the body, or even the whole body. The symptoms usually developed a week or two after a person had became infected bringing on a high temperature, headaches, coughs, lethargy, aches and pains, lose of appetite, sickness and diarrhoea. After 2 – 3 weeks intestinal bleeding.

Enteric Fever was originally thought to be spread via dust storms and flies.

Human carriers with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply through their faeces, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. The polluted water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. Enteric (Typhoid) Fever is then contracted by drinking, or eating the contaminated food or water. This bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage.

In 1897, an effective vaccine was developed by Almroth Wright and William Leisman, at the Army Medical School, Netley. At the time of the Boer War, the new inoculation had many side effects, and soldiers refused the voluntary immunisation. The inoculation was still voluntary in August 1914, when Great Britain entered the First World War. 

Residence: Playford, Suffolk.

Occupation: Labourer.

Enlistment Date: 14th June 1889.

Ben was taken PoW on the 10th December 1899, at the Battle of Stormberg, Stormberg Valley, Eastern Cape – he was later released at Waterval, Mpumalanga, on the 6th June 1900.

Rank: Private; Service Number: 2537.

Regiment: 10th Mounted Infantry, Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, South Africa Field Force.

Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal.

CENSUS

1871   The Brook, Playford, Suffolk.

Ben was 5 years old and living with his parents & sisters.

Benjamin Garwood, 26, an Agricultural Labourer, born Playford.

Emma Garwood (nee King), 24, born Rushmere St. Andrew, Suffolk.

Amy Susan Garwood, 2, born Playford.

Lucy Jane Garwood, 3 months, born Playford.

1881   Hill House, Playford, Suffolk.

Ben was 15 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

Benjamin, 36, an Agricultural Labourer.

Emma, 34.

Susan, 12.

Lucy, 10.

Bessie Eliza Garwood, 5, born Playford.

Alexander Edward Garwood, 1, born Playford.

1891   Cambridge Barracks, Woolwich, London.

Ben was 25 years old, a Soldier ranked Private for the 1st Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers.

On the 6th April 1898, Playford, Suffolk, Ben married Ada Ward, born 1879, Barham, Suffolk – daughter of Robert Ward, an agricultural labourer and Emily Ward (nee Bass), of Norwich Road, Barham.

They had 1 son:

George Benjamin Garwood, born September 1899, Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to Ada Garwood – widow.

The Boer War.