G. C. Bartholomew

Captain G. C. Bartholomew, was a soldier serving with the North Lincolnshire Regiment of Foot when the Regiment was posted to the Eastern Frontier of the Cape Colony between 1860 and 1863, shortly after the Xhosa cattle-killing movement and famine (1857-1858). He departed Currah-Camp, Ireland, on January 4, 1860. At first, the Regiment was posted to Grahamstown but was later transferred to Keiskama Hoek (Keiskammahoek) in 1862. Arrived in Grahamstown on April 20, 1860.

Captain Bartholomew acted in two productions during his three-year stay on the Eastern Frontier.

G. C. Bartholomew was a member of the Officers of the Regiment, part of the Dramatic Club.

(North Lincoln Sphinx, Vol 1, No 14, Keiskama Hoek, December 10, 1862, page 270.)

Biography

Captain G.C. Bartholomew was a British Army officer who later played a role in the 1914 Curragh Incident, also known as the Curragh Mutiny. He was one of the officers who refused to march on Ulster when ordered to do so, citing concerns about being used to coerce Ulster Unionists.

Bartholomew was a junior officer serving under Colonel Thomas Fenwick, who led the group of officers in their refusal to obey orders. By standing with Fenwick and the other officers, Bartholomew demonstrated his solidarity with their cause and his unwillingness to participate in actions that could lead to conflict with the Ulster Unionists.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

He was one of the Officers of the Regiment who produced shows for the entertainment of the troops and nearby civilians.

October 8, 1860: Starred in the Officers of the Regiment's first performance of Sheridan's five-act comedy, The Rivals (Captain Absolute) at the Garrison Theatre in Grahamstown.

(North Lincoln Sphinx, Vol 1, No 3, Grahamstown, November 1, 1860, page 30.)

April 5, 11 & 19, 1861: Acted in the Officers of the Regiment J. M. Morton's one-act farce, Don’t Judge by Appearances. (John Plump, servant to Major Pepper).

(North Lincoln Sphinx, Vol 1, No 6, April 25, 1861. Page 75.)