HERBERT MARKHAM PUNCHARD
Born: 23rd September 1875, Bramfield, Suffolk.
Died: 11th February 1901; age: 25; Died of Enteric Fever at Bloemfontein Hospital, 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 develop a week or two after a person has become infected bringing on a high temperature, headaches, coughs, lethargy, aches and pains, loss 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 contain 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 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 voluntary immunisation. The inoculation was still voluntary in August 1914, when Great Britain entered the First World War.
Residence: North Green Railway Gate House, Kelsale, Suffolk.
Employed: at Ipswich Railway Station – Great Eastern Railway.
Had been at the front since the commencement of the war.
Rank: Clerk/Railway Employee.
Regiment: Imperial Military Railway, South Africa Field Force.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony & Orange Free State.
CENSUS
1881 North Green Railway Gate House, Kelsale, Suffolk.
Herbert was 5 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
William Punchard, 44, a Platelayer, born Halesworth, Suffolk.
Sarah Punchard (nee Goddard), 43, born Wenhaston, Suffolk.
James William Punchard, 12, born Wenhaston.
Henry Thomas Punchard, 11, born Wenhaston.
Anna Maria Punchard, 9, born Wenhaston.
Isaac Robert Punchard, 7, born Wenhaston.
Arthur Punchard, 3, born Wenhaston.
1891 North Green Railway Gate House, Kelsale, Suffolk.
Herbert was 15 years old, a Nightman/Points – Great Eastern Railway. He was living with his parents & siblings.
William, 54, a Platelayer – Great Eastern Railway.
Sarah, 53, a Gate Keeper/Points – Great Eastern Railway.
Henry, 21, a Nightman/Points – Great Eastern Railway.
Isaac, 17, a Nightman/Points – Great Eastern Railway.
Arthur, 13.
Kate Punchard, 6, born Kelsale.
Herbert’s mother, Sarah Punchard died May 1895, Kelsale, Suffolk.
Herbert was a Brother of The Loyal Clarence Lodge of Oddfellows, at Halesworth, Suffolk.
PRESENTATION TO RAILWAY EMPLOYEES
An interesting little ceremony was performed at Ipswich Railway Station this Saturday afternoon when Messrs. Ernest John Wright, R. Wilding, and Herbert Markham Punchard, three members of the station staff, who have accepted appointments on the Transvaal and Orange River Colony Railways, were bade farewell, and each presented with useful gifts, as the result of a subscription got up by their comrades on the staff. Mr. J. W. Norman (stationmaster), presided over an informal meeting of the staff, in whose behalf he presented each man with a combination knife, possessed of no less than ten accessories; Messrs. Wilding and Wright each with a silver-mounted pipe, and a tin of tobacco; and Mr. Punchard with a silver-mounted cigarette-holder and box of cigarettes. Mr. Norman accompanied the presentation with some appropriate remarks, concluding by wishing them “Godspeed” and “every success.” Herbert Punchard responded in suitable terms – Messrs. Ernest Wright, Wilding, and Herbert Punchard leave Southampton for the Cape on Tuesday next. – Evening Star – Saturday, 3rd November 1900
Leave a Reply