Published in the Crag & Canyon Newspaper
Banff, Alberta
May 10, 1913
Old Patriot Stricken
Sydney Patrick Anson Cartwright V.C., passed away at the Brett Hospital early this morning – Rev. R.D. Harrison was at the bedside.
Mr. Cartwright was one of Banff's oldest and best known citizens, yet few realized when they answered the old gentleman's always kindly greetings that they were exchanging salutes with one of the heroes who helped to make England what she is today. He wore the Victoria Cross, yet few knew it; he carried honorable scars received in battle yet none but his closest friends were aware of it. When but a mere boy as a midshipman during the Ashanti war his ship was ordered to attack Koomassie, when near the town a terrific hail of bullets was poured into the besiegers, and all of Cartwright's superior officers were shot. The little midshipman, though desperately wounded in the thigh and a bullet in his arm, took command and brought the ship safely back to the navel base. Afterwards in Netley Hospital, Southampton, the late Queen Victoria personally decorated him with the Victoria Cross, - "For Valor!"
Mr. Cartwright contracted a cold on his lungs two weeks ago, from which he never rallied. He is survived by two brothers, one a colonel in the British Army, the other a rancher in Manitoba.
He was one of God's noblemen: all who knew him loved him, and will mourn his absence. In the words of James Whitcomb Riley:
I cannot say, I will not say,
That he is dead; he is just away,
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand
He has wandered into an unknown land.
Published in the Crag & Canyon Newspaper
Banff, Alberta
May 10, 1913
Old Patriot Stricken
Sydney Patrick Anson Cartwright V.C., passed away at the Brett Hospital early this morning – Rev. R.D. Harrison was at the bedside.
Mr. Cartwright was one of Banff's oldest and best known citizens, yet few realized when they answered the old gentleman's always kindly greetings that they were exchanging salutes with one of the heroes who helped to make England what she is today. He wore the Victoria Cross, yet few knew it; he carried honorable scars received in battle yet none but his closest friends were aware of it. When but a mere boy as a midshipman during the Ashanti war his ship was ordered to attack Koomassie, when near the town a terrific hail of bullets was poured into the besiegers, and all of Cartwright's superior officers were shot. The little midshipman, though desperately wounded in the thigh and a bullet in his arm, took command and brought the ship safely back to the navel base. Afterwards in Netley Hospital, Southampton, the late Queen Victoria personally decorated him with the Victoria Cross, - "For Valor!"
Mr. Cartwright contracted a cold on his lungs two weeks ago, from which he never rallied. He is survived by two brothers, one a colonel in the British Army, the other a rancher in Manitoba.
He was one of God's noblemen: all who knew him loved him, and will mourn his absence. In the words of James Whitcomb Riley:
I cannot say, I will not say,
That he is dead; he is just away,
With a cheery smile and a wave of the hand
He has wandered into an unknown land.
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