Boer War Corporal, 20299 W.B. Shorthose 12th Coy (S.N.H.) Imp. Yeo.

 Shorthose's Queen's South Africa medal along with the five bars he was entitled to, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, and South Africa 1902. His medal records his rank of Corporal, and his number, 20299.  One of the local volunteers taken to the South African campaign by Captain Rolleston

William Belfield Shorthouse was born in Cotmanhay Derbyshire 5th July 1878. In the 1881 census, at the age of 2 he is shown as living with his family in 4 Church Street Ilkeston along with his parents and several siblings. After his schooling, William went to work for his father, a successful local timber and coal merchant and Colliery proprietor. 

William had been serving with the 1/3rd Sherwood Foresters Militia Battalion. With the outbreak of the Boer War, and the following early setbacks on the front, the call went out for volunteers to join local yeomanry units to bolster numbers in the campaign. William completed his attestation forms for the Imperial Yeomanry in Nottingham , 21st January 1901. Classed as physically fit, 6 foot tall, 168 lbs, C.O.E., and a Coal Merchant by occupation. 

Having passed fit for service, he was given the new service number of 20299, and the latest recruit of the South Notts Hussars. A short period of just 19 days for training, issue of kit, before he was on his way to South Africa. An article appeared in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 28th January 1901 with the title, "ILKESTON MEN FOR ACTIVE SERVICE",an article detailing five volunteers from Ilkeston who volunteered for the Imperial Yeomanry for service in South Africa. Amongst those named was William Shorthose. 

Landing in South Africa in February 1901 with the 12th Company. Made Corporal, 7th May 1901. Shorthose spent 1 year, and 137 days on campaign with South Notts Hussars. Seeing action in the hunt for General De Wet, from the Cape to the Orange Free State, and into the Transvaal. William returned to England, 26th June 1902, and after 45 days was discharged from the Yeomanry 9th August 1902, his conduct and character rating recorded as very good. The Regiment history records him as "Home for Coronation 7-6-02"

The end of the Boer War and his discharge from the Nottinghamshire Yeomanry did not see an end to his military service. William returned to his involvement with the local militia, the Derby Daily Telegraph, Monday 21st March 1904 reported, "6420 Private W.B. Shorthose of M Company, 1st Volunteer Battalion, the Sherwood Foresters was promoted to Lance Corporal in the Battalion Orders, Saturday 19th March 1904". 

By the time of the 1911 census, William was now married and by occupation was a Grocer and Beer retailer, and was resident at 65 North Street. During the First World War, William was still active in the local volunteers. The Derbyshire Advertiser , 17th November 1916 with the article, "William Beinfiled Shorthose was to be a temporary Captain in the 1st Volunteer Sherwood Foresters". 

In 1926 he was the licensee and owner of the Stanhope Arms in Stanton by Dale, Ilkeston. Passing away 17th January 1939. The Nottingham Journal, 26th January 1939 with the article, "The death of Mr William Belfield Shorthose took place suddenly yesterday at his home, 35 North Street Ilkeston. He was 60 and an off-licence holder. He served in the South African War and was Commanding Officer of the Home Guards which was formed in Ilkeston at the outbreak of the Great War".  






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