...Cambridge, Booth excelled in sports representing his college at cricket and rowing. In 1863 Booth was a member of the Cambridge First Trinity Crew, competing at the Henley Regatta. Booth graduated from Cambridge with a BA in 1865.

During the same year, Booth joined the 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot as Ensign by purchase, at this time based at various locations throughout England.

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In January 1866, the regiment returned to Ireland, and was distributed Headquarters at the Curragh Barracks Kildare, three companies in Armagh, one company in Monaghan, two companies in Sligo  and two companies in Boyle.

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In March 1867, the regimental depot companies moved to Colchester, while in April the rest of the regiment embarked at Kingstown and were conveyed by the troopship “Himalaya” to Gibraltar. Relieving the 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot in the Casemate Barracks, the 83rd  Regiment would spend the next 3 years at Gibraltar on garrison duty.

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On 10th May 1867, the Honourable Lady Airey presented new colours to the 83rd (County of Dublin) Regiment of Foot, handing the Queen’s Colour to Ensign Wyndham and the Regimental Colour to Ensign Metcalfe. In September 1867, Booth was promoted to Lieutenant by purchase, and in June 1868 was reported to be back in Dublin staying at the Sherborne Hotel.

In February 1869, Lieutenant Charles J Wyndham was appointed Instructor of Musketry for the regiment. In December the same year, the Broad Arrow newspaper reported, “By the annual Musketry Return for season 1868/69 we see that the 83rd Regiment still holds its position as best shooting regiment in the army.

The best judges of distance among the officers are reported to be Lieutenant Wyndham, Cartwright, and Metcalfe”.

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In February 1870, Booth sailed from Southampton to rejoin his regiment at Gibraltar, a few weeks before it was due to be transported to its next overseas posting.

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In November 1870, Booth was promoted to Captain and in 1871 received orders to take command of the depot companies of the 83rd Regiment at Chatham, Kent.

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The depot companies of the 83rd remained at Chatham until November 1872, when they were transferred to Newry in Ireland. Booth stayed in Ireland until February 1874, then returned to India to rejoin the regiment stationed there. Booth was accompanied on the journey by Lieutenant Thomas Frederick Gibbs, travelling on the troopship “Jumna” they arrived in Bombay 2nd March 1874.

In March 1875, it was reported that Captain Metcalfe and Lieutenant Gibbs had been granted six months leave to visit Cashmere in Northern India.

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Having returned from Cashmere, by June 1876 Booth was suffering from frequent attacks of “Ague” (malaria) and rheumatism which weakened him significantly. He was prescribed two month’s sick leave, and an array of different medicines including “poppy head fermentations, anodyne liniments, leeches, iodine, gentian, syrup of phosphate of iron and quinine.” In the 19th Century, the health of the British Army in India faced significant challenges. The subcontinent's harsh climate, coupled with unsanitary living conditions, led to widespread health
issues among the troops. Tropical diseases such as malaria, cholera, dysentery, and typhoid were rampant, posing a constant threat to the soldiers.

On 26 October 1876, Booth was ordered back to England to join the regiment’s depot companies and excused any duties whilst on the troopship home due to his medical condition. Booth set sail from Bombay 7th November 1876 aboard the troopship “Crocodile”.

Booth remained in England for some 3 1⁄2 years, until he returned to India in April 1880 to rejoin his regiment. Towards the end of 1880, the regiment was ordered to return to England. In January 1881, however, the 42 Officers and 1,308 men of the 83rd Regiment on board the troopship Crocodile were diverted to Natal in South Africa, where an outbreak of hostilities with the Boers would see the   regiment on active field service. In July 1881, the 83rd Regiment became the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, under the Childers reforms. After spending much of its time on rear-area labouring duties in South Africa, the Battalion returned to England in January 1882.

On 18th January 1882, Booth was promoted to Major. In May the same year Booth, attended Queen Victoria’s Levee held at St James’s Palace and was presented to the Prince of Wales.

In December 1884, the troopship Assistance left Dover carrying Major Booth Hay Metcalfe and the men of the 1st Battalion Royal Irish Rifles to be stationed in Guernsey.

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By 1887, Booth had returned to Dover retiring from the army 31st December 1887, with the honorary
rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

It was suggested by some newspapers of the day that Booth had in fact taken voluntary early retirement, in view of the discontinuance of the privilege of a higher honorary rank, which ceased 1st January 1888. Prior to this date, it was customary for retiring officers to be given an honorary rank one above their station on retirement. So, by retiring 31st December 1887, Booth retired with the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel rather than Major.

As early as 1882, Booth had begun a relationship with a Jane “Cora” Searle 1851-1928 from Clapham, Sussex. Although it appears that the couple were not married at the time, they had a son together, Birdie Thomas Metcalfe 1884-1963 born in Lambeth, London, 16th January 1884. In September 1887, the couple had a second child, George Kenneth Metcalfe 1887-1951 born at Shoreham, Sussex, and some six years later another son John Frederick Metcalfe 1893-1964, also born at Shoreham.

Following his retirement from the army, records suggest that Booth did not live with Jane and his children, preferring to spend much of his time living apart from the family and pursuing his passion for sports, and in particular sailing. The 1891 Census shows Booth living alone at 8 Regent Street, London. An 1895 directory also lists 8 Regent Street as Booth’s address. In the same year, a Cora J Metcalfe is recorded living at 29 Queens Place New, Shoreham, Sussex, with her two children Birdie and George.

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By 1901, Booth was living at an address 27 Pier Street at Northfleet, Kent, with two servants, the Census for that year recorded Booth as Head of the household but noted “away for a week”. During the week of the Census, Booth also appeared at an address 68 New Church Road, “Santa Rosa” Aldrington, Sussex, staying with Jane Metcalfe and his two sons George and John.

In 1903, Booth and Jane married 6th August at Holborn Registry Office, London, although no reports of the wedding appeared in newspapers of the day. By 1911, the couple appear in the Census living at an address on the Isle of Wight. This document states that the couple had been married 28 years, suggesting they had been married since 1883. This is contradicted by an article which appeared in 1889 referring to “Major Booth Hay Metcalfe in the army still living unmarried who holds property in Richmond and Swaledale”.

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Booth Hay Metcalfe remained on the Isle of Wight until 15th February 1924 when he died aged 80 years.

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The Yorkshire Post carried an article published 20th February 1924, which read:

“The death took place at Ryde last Friday in his 81st year of Lieutenant Colonel Booth Hay Metcalfe  of Muker Yorkshire and Beechwood Ryde. The Times Correspondents writes: He was one of the oldest surviving graduates of the early sixties at Trinity Cambridge where he made a name in perhaps the best college boat of this period. Many of his years service were spent in India, and he saw service with his regiment in the first Boer War. He was a good cricketer and better boxer. A keen shot, he made good practice the birds until at the age of 75 the injury which finally led to his death manifested itself. Like all the men of his family he loved horses and rode well but most of all he loved the sea owned a succession of well-known yachts and was one of the oldest members of the Royal Victoria and Royal Cinque Ports Yacht Club. A man of most generous nature his loss will be deeply felt not only by his contemporaries but by many of us a younger generation to whom he stood as the best type of English Gentleman. He leaves a wife and 3 sons.”

 

 

A special thanks to Gary Hynard for sharing his diligent research concerning Booth Hay Metcalfe.

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