Henry Percy Catcheside:

A photograph of Henry Percy Catcheside, Imperial Yeomanry is given in Pro Patria: stories of service in South Africa 1899-1902, Novocastrian, First Special Number, 1902., page 63 together with the following: H.P. Catcheside, who had been for many years a sergeant-major in the Northumberland Hussars, was one of the very first to volunteer for service, when sanction was given for the formation of Companies of Imperial Yeomanry. [The 55th (Northumberland) Company, transferred 1902 from 14th Battalion].

As he was 40 years of age and married, he was not at first accepted by the authorities. Such, however, was his enthusiasm, that he put in three months at the Newcastle Barracks, where the drilling of recruits was entrusted to him; and when “C” Company was formed, he was enrolled and appointed Sergeant.

He did excellent work in South Africa, and was for some months Acting Quarter-Master at Doorn River. But enteric fever claimed him. From a first attack he recovered, only to be laid low with dysentery. Getting better, he was later attacked by veldt fever and invalided to Cape Town.

Once more he recovered, and was then appointed to a position in the Pay Department. Falling victim a second time to enteric fever, he succumbed in the hospital at Maitland Camp on the 15th March, 1901.”

His service number whilst on Imperial Service was 9976 and he was the Quartermaster Sergeant in the 55th Company, 5th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry.

Henry Percy Catcheside is remembered at Jesmond on J1.23a in Newcastle on NUT017, NUT094and NUT195