THERE was a tragic end to the career of a brave little drummer-boy who led British troops into battle during the Boer War when he was just 14 years of age.

The story is unfolded by pensioner Margaret Mahon of Saxon Court, St Helens, daughter of the boy soldier, in response for an appeal for details about the old Pilkington works hospital. (See main story).

She says: "My father was later blown up at Ypres in 1915, during the first world war. Terribly injured, he was sent back to England, to a hospital down south, and later transferred to Pilkington Hospital, as my mother lived at Haydock Park.

"He went through the Boer War as a drummer boy and left the regular army around 1913". He was re-called to train the troops when the 1914-18 war broke out, and about 12 months after that was severely wounded.

"My father often talked of the kindness and good treatment he received at Pilks hospital", adds Margaret.

But there was a bitter twist to the tale. The day before he would have been discharged on full pension, her dad was informed that he was to be sent home, despite not having fully recovered from his injuries.

This left him with just ten shillings (50p) a week reduced pension, with which to maintain a wife and three children, plus "a wonderful letter from his officer".

Not much to show for a front-line military career by a man left unable to work for the rest of his life.

But Margaret stresses: "It wasn't the hospital's fault . . . just the army's thank-you for such long service".