Visiting dignitaries to Bourne in past times were honoured with an illuminated scroll by civic leaders to mark the occasion and such it was a century ago when one of the country’s most distinguished military commanders came to support a function organised by our part time soldiers known as the Volunteers, forerunners of the Territorial Army we know today. 

Major-General Sir William Forbes Gatacre KCB, DSO, veteran of many campaigns in India, Africa and the Sudan, was guest of honour at a two-day bazaar to raise funds for H Company of the 2nd Battalion, the Lincolnshire Regiment, a suitable military choice for the occasion because it was held only a few months after the ending of the Second Boer War of 1899-1902 in which he had played a major role and the wave of jingoism and flag-waving fervour that had swept the country during the conflict had not subsided. 

H Company was based at the Drill Hall in North Street, a former Calvinist chapel, later the Vestry Hall and now a private residence, which had been converted for military training in April 1899. The War Office soon began to call on these volunteers and so several young men from the Bourne area joined thousands of others who sailed for South Africa. The town eventually provided 28 active service soldiers for the campaign and 22 arrived home safely, each one to be honoured during a parade in the market place on Wednesday 6th August 1902 with an inscribed silver tobacco box. 

Although the war had ended, the unit remained operational at the Drill Hall but the annual War Office grant of thirty-five shillings for each volunteer was barely sufficient to keep the unit going and so money was always needed to provide additional uniforms and equipment and pay for transport for volunteers from a scattered district covering a ten mile radius of Bourne. The company also wanted to build an armoury following the introduction of new automatic rifles which meant that their practice range at Edenham also needed rebuilding. 

Various fund-raising activities were held during the year to raise additional cash and a grand bazaar at the Corn Exchange on Wednesday 15th April 1903 was of particular significance because the general had agreed to attend. He and Lady Beatrix Gatacre arrived the day before to stay as guests of the Earl and Countess of Ancaster at Grimsthorpe Castle and as they drove into town at midday on the morning of the event, their carriage was met by a contingent from the Lincolnshire Yeomanry which provided an escort to the Town Hall where a large and cheering crowd had gathered outside.  

The streets were gaily decorated with our national colours and a platform erected at the front of the building where civic leaders had gathered and the general was welcomed by Councillor George Mays, chairman of Bourne Urban District Council, who proudly presented the illuminated scroll bearing the council’s official seal. 

“We extend the most cordial welcome on your visit to this ancient town”, said the inscription, “and hail with pride the advent in our midst of one of England’s most trusty soldiers whose gallantry in warfare and whose kindness in peace are household words. We recalled with pleasure the brilliant service you have rendered to your country in India, Egypt, and in the terrible struggle in South Africa. We yield to none in loyalty to empire, and in gratitude to its defenders, and tender you our most hearty thanks for encouraging by your presence the efforts of our local volunteers.” 

The general replied amid loud appreciative applause from the crowd. “I thank you for the honour you have conferred upon me”, he said, “and I take it as a great personal compliment that I have been invited to Bourne. I have no connection with the county but am pleased to be surrounded by friends and relatives of those who have served under me from the local county regiment.” 

The official party then proceeded to the Drill Hall where a guard of honour was awaiting his inspection under the company of Captain Cecil Bell, a local solicitor, followed by lunch when the guests included everyone of any importance in Bourne at that time, most of them accompanied by their wives. There were toasts from civic and community leaders who highlighted various aspects of the general’s career and he was loudly cheered as he rose to reply. “I hope the Volunteer movement will never die”, he said, “because it has become the backbone of the national home defence and I have pleasant recollections of this county regiment which has served with me and has always done so well.” 

After lunch, the company returned to the Corn Exchange for the official opening of the bazaar by General Gatacre where there were more eulogies and applause, particularly at the scenery which had been created by Alfred Stubley, a local painter and decorator with a reputation for stage design, who had chosen the British Empire as his theme, giving visitors a glimpse of our chief dependencies such as India, Australia, Canada and South Africa, as they walked round. 

The bazaar was crowded on both days and the people thrilled with their distinguished visitor. History, however, has treated him less kindly. Gatacre (1843-1906) gained a reputation for marching and working his men so hard that they called him “General Back-acher” while during the Boer War he was commanding general at the Battle of Stormberg of 1899 during the so-called "Black Week" in which three British forces were defeated by Boer irregulars when 135 men were killed and 696 captured in an ambush. He was subsequently blamed for the mismanagement of the battle, the lack of clear orders directly resulting in the disaster. As a result, he was side-lined to other duties before being relieved of his command and his standing which had been so high after his previous service elsewhere around the empire foundered never recovered.

These events were not widely known when the general visited Bourne and he was hailed as a war hero with the result that the bazaar was a resounding success, the proceeds reaching the target of £225 [£25,000 at today’s values] for  company funds and so enabled the unit continue to operate efficiently in the years to come.