WHEN I mentioned Mick Buck's bridge the other week, and showed you these old pictures of it standing over the River Croal in the centre of Bolton, little did I realise that it would lead to a story of alleged spying in the Boer War, involving the Buck brothers.

Mr Denis O'Connor, of Forton Avenue, Breightmet, sent me a note saying that if I looked in the Bolton Journal of February 17, 1900, I might find an interesting tie-in.

So I looked, and this account is what I found:

"At the present time, when Boer spies are stalking abroad through the land, the military authorities cannot be too wide awake in detecting suspicious characters who enlist in the regiments bound for the seat of war in South Africa; but in the case of the brothers Buck, who after enlisting and embarking for the Cape, were taken off the transport and consigned to the military commandant at Gravesend, a serious mistake has been made.

"The brothers Buck are natives of Bolton, and enquiries from relatives in this town make it perfectly clear that the two young men upon whom suspicion was wrongly cast are bona fide Britons to the backbone, and as loyal as any man who ever joined the colours.

"In conversation with Mr Michael Buck, who resides at No. 6, Waterloo-st., our representative learned that the names of the two supposed 'spies' are Miles and Stephen Buck, the former being about 30 and the latter 27 years of age.

"They are closely related to Messrs Buck and Son, who formerly had a foundry in Turton-st. (now known as the Bolton Engineering Co.), and their father Stephen Buck was an engineer in the employ of Messrs Chatwood and Co., safe makers, Bolton. Considerably over 20 years ago, Stephen Buck left Bolton for South Africa, being subsequently followed by his wife and young family. After a stay of a few months in Cape Town, the family proceeded up country, and ultimately settled in Johannesburg, where they established a business and accumulated considerable means.

"On the outbreak of war, because of the harsh conduct of the Boers, they decided to leave their property and come to England until the conclusion of peace, and then to dispose of their business and other real estate and settle permanently in their native country.

"They accordingly purchased a house near Fleetwood, where they took up their abode. The monotony of having nothing to do, and the desire to wipe out old scores with the Boers, influenced the brothers to enlist, and a third brother (Willie) also offered his services. As he has lost two fingers he failed to get accepted for the mounted forces, but told that he would be successful if he desired to enlist in the infantry.

"This branch of the service, however, did not attract his fancy, and he was keenly disappointed at being rejected, and not being able to accompany his two older brothers.

"The two brothers paid a visit to their Bolton relatives at New Year, and during their brief stay became great favourites among those with whom they came into contact. During their visit they frequently told of the treachery of the Boers, and felt it was their duty to fight, adding: 'We have only once to die, and if we are killed it will not be our fault.'

"Naturally the unwarranted suspicion cast upon them has caused them no small amount of personal chagrin, and their relatives and friends also feel it acutely. The two brothers, however, are very free in their conversation and their knowledge of the country, and of the Dutch and Kaffir languages, and the fact that they have not lived in England for over 20 years aroused the suspicion of their comrades in the ranks, who very properly reported the matter to the authorities.

"Now that the truth has come out the mistake will be amply atoned for, and the two brothers will, no doubt, be sent to the front as early as possible. Whilst everyone will sympathise with them in their exceptional position, it must be admitted that the authorities have shown commendable vigilance in the matter, and on this score nobody, not even the brothers Buck, will complain."

I am afraid that I do nbot know what happened to the Buck brothers, whether they went to fight in South Africa, or if so, whether they came home safely. But it is an interesting sequel to a couple of old photographs of a bridge in this column!