MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING National Boer War Memorial Association Newsletter for NSW, SA and ACT

Artist’s impression NUMBER 24 – FEBRUARY 2015 NATIONAL BOER WAR MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION National Patron: Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshall Mark Binskin AC NSW Committee of NBWMA Inc Chairman: David Deasey

NSW Chairman’s Message and T W Glasgow. In this newsletter we look at the Boer War experiences of Alfred Shout VC, Hedley Kirkpatrick and Victor The National Boer War Memorial Newland amongst others. Throughout Association theme for 2015 is Fathers of this year we will follow up with Boer War Anzac. Many of the soldiers from the Boer stories of other veterans. War backed up again in World War I. Three Boer War veterans of the AIF went on to The Boer War was also a period which received the Victoria Cross in World War 1. forced changes in technologies and strategies. This issue looks at a piece A hidden Boer War element in World War important in the evolution of artillery. 1 was those veterans who, too old to take part in active service, were key elements On another front we look at a humanitarian in training AIF recruits or in guarding response by Australians to the effects vital assets. About 30% of the AIF senior of the war in . That is those commanders, Colonel and above, had nurses and school teachers who were served in the Boer War including such involved in the concentration camps and illustrious figures as William Throsby then in rebuilding South Africa. Bridges, Harry Chauvel, H E ‘Pompey’ Elliott David Deasey To page 2

DIARY NOTE – NEXT BOER WAR DAY IS SUNDAY 31 MAY 2015 Monumentally Speaking is an occasional newletter of the National Boer War Memorial Association Correspondence and donations to Building 96, Victoria Barracks, Paddington, NSW 2021. In this issue A Horseman of LAPEL NSW Chairman’s Message...... 1 Memorial’s design Toronto memorial...... 2 BADGE Envelope Launch...... 2 From NSW Book a Speaker...... 3 NSW Committee...... 3 National and State Contacts..... 3 ACT Committee...... 3 Launch of Commemorative Envelopes Tilpa memorial...... 4 On Thursday 30th October 2014 More Piano Music...... 5 seventy four Descendants and Supporters attended the official South Australian contributions...... launch of our commemorative Early memorial...... 6 envelope at the Museum, Adelaide Boer War Day...... 6 Victoria Barracks, Sydney. SA Committee...... 6 The envelope, featuring the Howitzer...... 7 first trooper and horse of Leslie McMaugh...... 7 the proposed memorial, was Alfred Shout...... 8 introduced by Mrs Vashti Farrar Waterhouse, the well known Women Teachers...... 9 author of “Walers go to War”. Reserve Forces Day Council.....10 The launch was followed by How Many Fought? (Part 4}.....11 light refreshments, the drawing of our raffle and lucky door Commemorative Envelopes....12 prizes. Everyone present had Bernadette (right) with Vashti Farrar Waterhouse a most enjoyable afternoon further commemorative envelopes. and sales of both the envelope The second horseman is currently in PLEASE MARK THIS and the book went very well. The developmental stage. DATE IN YOUR DIARY launch commemorates the pouring of the first bronze sections of the Bernadette Mottram NEXT BOER WAR DAY IS first horseman. As we reach other and the raffle winners were milestones we hope to launch 1st String of pearls Mrs M. Keneally SUNDAY 31 MAY 2015 2nd R.M. Williams voucher Mrs M. Schmidt 3rd Memorial ice bucket Mr P. Paton From other lands 4th Wedgewood napkin rings Mrs R. Heather This is the impressively detailed Boer War memorial in Toronto, Canada 5th Royal Albert Floral mugs Mr D. Dufall 6th Royal Albert napkin rings Mr N. Hawkins 7th Royal Albert tea strainer Col. J. Haynes 8th Book & Mother-of-Pearl pen Dr J. Roche OAM 9th Coasters and Plate Mr J. Bourne Envelopes can still be ordered – see page 12

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Page 2 Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 24 – February 2015 Book a Speaker for Your Association An invitation from David Deasey, Chairman, NSW Committee of NBWMA Don’t hesitate to contact me to arrange to put our first war as a nation into context. a speaker for your association. Our lively 23,000 Australian soldiers and nurses served, presentations are about 40 minutes allowing 1,000 did not return. We are remembering them. time after for questions, but are often adapted Regardless of the duration of the presentation for both shorter and longer periods to meet your requested, our speakers need a working needs, lunchtime or a conference. computer, video projector and screen for The story of Australia’s contribution to the Boer supporting visuals, and for larger groups, a War is little known. Our presenters are delighted microphone. To arrange for a speaker contact David Deasey 0409 585 877

NSW SCHEDULE OF PRESENTATIONS 5 Feb 10:30/12:30 SAG Kent Street Richmond Villa Society of Aust Genealogists David Deasey 25 Mar 10:30/12:30 West Wyalong Wyalong Family History Society David Deasey & Paul Lenehan 12 May 11:00 Roseville Golf Club Lindfield East Probus David Deasey 22 May 10:00 Turramurra Bowling Club Barra Brui Probus David Deasey

CENTENARY OF ANZAC SYDNEY MARCH 2015 The Sydney ANZAC Day March next year will be the centenary of ANZAC. We would like to encourage all descendants to march under the Boer War Banner on this occasion and if possible wear their ancestor’s medals on their right breast. The descendant group usually starts from the corner of Castlereagh and King Streets. Look for the Boer War Banner. Further information on the Boer War Website bwm.org.au as it comes to hand.

This badge worn by Commonwealth Horse units was an early version of the badge

Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 24 – February 2015 Page 3 Boer War Memorial – Tilpa NSW Africa with the squadron sent by that regiment; whilst there he was Boer War Memorials crop up in Station. He was educated at St Peter’s promoted to Corporal. He was then unexpected places. In the small College, Adelaide – a school which commissioned as a Lieutenant into township of Tilpa, in far western provided many distinguished Boer the British Army’s prestigious 6th New South Wales, a small memorial War soldiers. After the war he settled Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) in July recording four names of Boer War in East Africa being involved in 1900 before being invalided home organising safaris for such luminaries with illness in April 1901. He returned as ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt in association to South Africa, joining the South with Frederick Selous. He served African Constabulary (SAC) and in the Kings African Rifles in World rising after World War 1 to the rank of War 1 reaching the rank of Major Deputy Commissioner. He served in and receiving an MC, OBE and two the in East Africa, Mentions in Dispatches. He returned ironically under the command of a to Adelaide in 1919 and later went former enemy Jan Christian Smuts, into politics. reaching the rank of Lieutenant The remaining two names are of the Colonel. He returned to Australia to Kirkpatrick Brothers, Alfred Allott live in 1935. and Hedley John, sons of Alfred His brother Alfred, not to be confused soldiers is to be found. One is H H Kirkpatrick, the storekeeper at Mount with the South Australian politician ‘Breaker’ Morant who was apparently Murchison station. Hedley, a serving of the same name and initials, is known in the district. The three volunteer in the Australian Horse at unknown to us. So where did he others are Victor Marra Newland, the outbreak of war, went to South serve? He appears to have served in Alfred Allott Kirkpatrick and Hedley World War 1, but Boer War? John Kirkpatrick. We would dearly love our Victor Newland was a trooper with readers or family members the 2nd South Australian Mounted to contact us with his story Rifles. He was already serving with so that we can record him the Mounted Rifles in Adelaide when for posterity. As well, any war broke out. Promoted to Lance local residents or historians Corporal, he received a Mention in are invited to tell us the Dispatches (MID) and was awarded background story to the the Distinguished Conduct Medal building of this memorial. (DCM). His father was connected David Deasey with Marra and Warlo stations on the Darling and Victor was born on Marra

Original 1900 collection of Boer From NSW War photographs. NSW recruits train and leave for service Quality Australian-made in South Africa. NBWMA tie in the colours In this full A4 sized of the Queen’s South publication photos Africa medal ribbon are reprinted in on a navy black and white as crystal clear as the background glass plates, long exposures and huge lenses made possible then. $20 inc. postage

$28 inc. postage

Page 4 Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 24 – February 2015 More piano music TIO E NA NA H L B from Christina Whitely T O R E O R F In this issue we feature two of W E NOW the more colourful posters in Each publication carried a T A

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The tunes The sections of the battle piece by Garnet Garfield are: The sections in Landon Roberts’ battle piece are as War Declared, Excitement of the British Public, Departure follows: British Retire from Dundee, At Ladysmith (sunrise), of Colonial Troops for the Transvaal, Troops in the Distance, Sir George White orders a sortie against besieging Troops Passing, Trumpets, At Port , Farewell, God Be , Cavalry Trumpet, Cavalry Advance, Naval Brigade, With You, All on Board, Call, Whistle of the Troop Ship, Last Bell, Song “Sons of the Sea”, British Surprised by Boers, The Departure of the Troop Ship, She’s Off, “A Life on the Ocean Attack, Creusot Guns, British 12 pounders, Stampede of Wave”, Storm Effects, Dawn on the Veldt, Bugle Call (prayer), Mules, British Disaster, Rejoicing of Boers (Boers’ National Boers’ Camp (prayer), Distant Guns, Guns‑Guns‑Guns, Prayer Melody), Boer Artillery Shell Ladysmith, Long Tom, Interrupted, Shells, British Artillery Open Fire on Boer Position, Anxiety of Besieged, Prayer, Band of General Buller’s Relief Alarm and Consternation, Answering Call, Advance of Troops, Forces in Distance, Entry into Ladysmith, Grand March, Gordon Highlanders and Pipers “Cock o’ North”, Colonial Troops British patriotic song “Rule Britannia”, British National in the Front, “The Green Grass Grew All Round”, Victorian Troop Anthem “God Save the Queen”. Other British patriotic Song, The Din of War, Naval Guns, Retreat of Boers, After the songs included are “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Battle, Trumpets, Triumphal March and British patriotic song to Again” and “Red White and Blue”. end “Rule Britannia.” PLEASE MARK THIS DATE IN YOUR DIARY ‑ NEXT BOER WAR DAY IS SUNDAY 31 MAY 2015 Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 24 – February 2015 Page 5 From our South Australian contributors Is this the previously lived at Williamstown. The monument in ? only photograph we have of Private Smith shows him in his Salvation This attractive monument stands Army uniform. This does beg the ten feet tall and is to be found question whether other Salvationists tucked away amongst the roses went to South Africa. Did they enlist and greenery at the Williamstown as ordinary soldiers or did they go as Soldiers Memorial Hall on the corner the relief organisation that we fondly of Queen Street and Memorial Drive, associate with later wars? Or both? Williamstown near Gawler. The good people of Williamstown It commemorates Private William were quickly fund-raising Edwin Smith of the 1st South and employed the services of Australian Mounted Rifles,Monumental Mason G.E. Morgan to Regimental Number 118, who was erect a suitable memorial. Funds were killed in action on 18 February 1900 raised by public subscription and on at Arundel. Private Smith was the Monday 30 July 1900 the monument second of our men to be killed, the to Private Smith was draped with first being Lieutenant John William a Union Jack and unveiled by Mrs Powell formerly of Mount Gambier. Warren. Both soldiers were interred in the The inscription on the lower part of the cemetery at Colesberg, South Africa. monument was added after the war. Private Smith, a young Salvation Army Photograph by Julie Burridge, Officer, enlisted at Peterborough research by June Haggett, in the Mid-North although he had story by Monty Smith.

South Australian Committee Adelaide Boer War Day personal tributes. All former and and contact Our annual service will be held at present servicemen and women are It is disappointing to report that 11am on Sunday 31 May 2015 at the invited to wear their service medals. the NBWM(SA) Committee went Boer War monument on the corner Descendants are invited to wear their into recess on 30 November 2014. of North Terrace and King William ancestor’s medals on the right chest. In the meanwhile, and until other Street in the city. Our theme this year All registered Descendants and arrangements can be made, Mrs is Fathers of Anzac. Friends will receive official invitations. Monty Smith will be the SA Liaison. Following the official tributes Boer The service is open to the public and She may be contacted by telephone War Descendants and Friends will children are also welcome to attend. on 08 8662 4085 or send an email to have an opportunity to lay their own Enquiries to: 08 8662 4085. [email protected]

The Boer War Honour Board of St Peters College Adelaide

Page 6 Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 24 – February 2015 The 9.45 inch Howitzer and Two of the guns were sent to the Boer War South Africa for use against the forts at . They sat Only very rarely in the years leading the war out in a defensive up to the Boer War did the British win position protecting an urban the intelligence battle with the Boer area. Late in the war a small Republics. One example of where Boer turned up they did concerns one of the largest to raid the town. The local guns used in the war. The Skoda Arms commander was about to works which was then in Austria had dispatch the local District produced a huge 24cm howitzer. The Mounted Troops to deal design had not then been taken into with this threat when he service by any country and the works was stopped by the artillery had four early production models in commander who had no store. intention of passing up this The British Foreign Office was alerted opportunity. A 280 pound to the fact that a German agent was shell was duly fired landing negotiating their purchase on behalf within 500 metres of the Boers. The Boers left the area of a third party - the Transvaal. Britain 517px Skoda 24cm Mortar M 1898 hurriedly; it was the only shell bought the four guns in February Picture: 1900 and designated the gun fired by these guns in anger. Ordnance BL 9.45 inch Howitzer Mk I. Later the four guns were used to equip the design basis of the famed 9.2 A fearsome weapon in British service, the British Third Siege Company RA. inch howitzer of World War 1 used by they threw a 280 pound shell six plus In service their inherent problems Australian Siege Batteries. kilometres. were discovered but they served as David Deasey

Leslie Macquarie McMaugh

the national databases, he was well of the Johannesburg Fire Brigade. and truly recorded by family and by Finally he saw 10 months service with the Macleay River Historical Society, the Transvaal Mounted Police. in the excellent publication on Boer In World War 1, by then 37 years War soldiers in the Macleay district, of age and a grazier, he enlisted by Philip Lee entitled Letters from as Trooper No. 1288 as part of the South Africa, The Macleay Valley and 9th Reinforcements for the 1st the South African (Boer) War 1899- Regiment. 1902. This was published in 2013. The Later he was transferred to the 1st people of the Macleay Valley can be Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron proud of this work. of the Australian Mounted Division. His brother, Athelstan (Athol), is He received a gunshot wound to well documented having served as the thigh in action in the a regular soldier in ‘A’ Field Battery area (3 November 1917). He was not during the Boer War. He sailed for part of the charge. After recuperation South Africa as part of the Imperial he embarked for Australia on the SS Another soldier who has come to light Draft Contingent (5th NSW) Somali, 26 December 1918. He died as this newsletter was being compiled Reinforcements on 17 March 1901. in 1957. is Leslie Macquarie McMaugh. Here Leslie chose to take himself to South This find demonstrates the is yet another case of one who went Africa. Whether he was unable to importance of the excellent work by to war unofficially and his record of enlist here or was impatient to join family and the local historical society service is typical of those not in official is not clear. He served first as Trooper have had in preserving his memory contingents. His birth was registered No. 1056, 1st Battalion Imperial Light for posterity. It is a service that all at Port Macquarie in 1876, although Horse. From there he had service as communities and historical societies at the time of the Boer War he was Ranger No. 361 of the Cattle Rangers can perform. in the Macleay River area. Ironically, . Moving on, he then served in David Deasey whilst he has not previously been the Rand Rifles which seems to have identified as an Australian in any of teamed up with his job as a member Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 24 – February 2015 Page 7 was wounded on active service on Alfred Shout possibly two occasions. First Boer War Soldier to By January 1901 Shout was a Lance win a VC in the AIF Corporal. The Border Horse was part of the force sent to stop Christian de Wet from invading . On One of the Australian Victoria Cross 29 January 1901, the Border Horse recipients at Gallipoli was Captain under Colonel Crewe (a force of 700) Alfred John Shout. Shout was an went searching for de Wet. They met officer in F company of the 1st de Wet in the vicinity of Thabaksberg Battalion AIF. in the Winburg district. De Wet Alfred Shout was born in Wellington had a force of several thousand in New Zealand in 1881. After being the area and it was soon clear that educated privately until 1891 Alfred Crewe’s force was in severe trouble. It went to school in Newman, a tiny managed to extricate itself at a cost of settlement north of Masterton, New 10 casualties. It is possible that Shout Zealand. was one of the wounded at this point, as it was here that he was Mentioned At the time of the Boer War Shout, in Dispatches (MID) and promoted to with his half brother Bill, was anxious Sergeant. (Army Orders 23 Feb 1901). to join up. Contrary to some sources Captain Alfred John Shout as a newly they did not serve with a New Zealand The citation said that he had assisted commissioned officer, 29th Infantry, 1914 contingent. Almost certainly, at the age greatly in maintaining the position service as a Sergeant in the Prince of his men and had shown great Alfred Cape Field Artillery, a militia or courage in going out under heavy part-time unit. fire to rescue a wounded soldier After marrying an Australian girl, Rose of 17 Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Alice Howe, he migrated to Australia Records show him as discharged with his family in 1907 and was from the Border Horse 23 May 1901 employed as a carpenter and joiner on completion of service. at Resch’s brewery, Sydney. He was It is clear, however that he continued then resident in Darlington, a suburb his service at least into 1902 if not up now largely disappeared as part of to the end of the war. His King’s South the grounds of Sydney University. Africa Medal (KSA) was a renamed He trained as a member of the 29th medal, (a returned medal reused) Battalion, Australian Rifles (a militia to No.359 A.J. Shout, South African unit) whose successor, 4/3 Battalion Shout rear right at Mena Camp Mounted Irregular Force. SAMIF Royal New South Wales Regiment, of 18 he would have been regarded as whilst having its own soldiers, was also a still exists today. He was also an far too young and inexperienced for “Catch All” medal roll for those colonials enthusiastic member of a rifle club. the early New Zealand contingents. missed off other units’ rolls. He was commissioned as a Second Alfred and Bill paid their own way to On his World War I enlistment papers Lieutenant in the 29th on 16 June South Africa, where Alfred joined the he states very clearly that he only ever 1914. At the outbreak of war he Border Horse Regiment, enlisting 17 served with the Border Horse. The was granted the commission in F February 1900. This was a mounted Border Horse QSA roll contains the Company, 1st Battalion AIF. This unit’s rifle regiment formed for operations notation ‘Stellenbosch traditions are today in the Eastern Cape. The medal roll District Mounted Troops.’ maintained by the 1/19th for the Border Horse shows that he It seems likely that whilst Battalion RNSWR. was eligible for the Queen’s South recovering from wounds Awarded a VC during Africa medal (QSA) with clasps for he was assigned as cadre the battle of Lone Pine Wepener and Wittebergen (both in to support local district in August 1915, he the ), Cape Colony defence units, his unit was badly wounded in and Transvaal. It appears that the however quite happily Shout’s Boer War Galilean an explosion shortly Wepener clasp may be missing from discharged him leaving Type Binoculars afterwards. Shout died his medal group in the Australian the necessity to give him his KSA on of his wounds at sea. He was also War Memorial. It is said that the unit an SAMIF roll. awarded the Military Cross (MC) and operated out of Mafeking under the After the war he stayed on in South was Mentioned in Dispatches (MID) command of Robert Baden Powell. Africa as a carpenter and joiner, during the . This was clearly after the siege was as well as continuing his military David Deasey concluded. Accounts show that he Page 8 Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 24 – February 2015 Women Teachers The war’s effects across the Transvaal and the Orange Free State were obviously considerable. The scorched earth policies pursued to deprive the Boer forces of their logistical base not only led to the destruction of infrastructure but also to the establishment of concentration camps to contain the displaced civilians. The failure of these to provide acceptable conditions led to urgent remedial efforts in late 1901 and early 1902. Australian nurses Some of the Women Teachers, the Bethals and administrators gathered in Melbourne prior to departure such as Janet (Jessie) Toshack confidential clerk of the Education by taking this job, it was not about

Department, Sydney, with his wife financial gain. Unusually, several of and Miriam Pickburn were sent to who acted essentially as chaperone the Australian teachers were married staff the camps to improve medical or ‘house parent’ for the group. One women. facilities as well as military medical of the teachers wrote of Mrs Bethal: officers such as Captain Alfred The war was over but with destroyed Hobart Sturdee (father of a future “I blessed her every day throughout infrastructure the camps were still Chief of the General Staff, Vernon the voyage. Many teachers never open by the time the group arrived. Sturdee) (Camp Irene near Pretoria). left their berths, while others had As camps closed down the teachers but a few days of good health. It was were redeployed to help rebuild In addition, across the Empire here that the good fortune of having the shattered Transvaal education it was decided that 400 women Mrs and Mr Bethel with us was fully system. schoolteachers would be sent to realised. Mrs Bethel acted the part of a staff the camps. This would provide Ten of the New South Wales teachers loving sister, and spared neither time schooling for Boer children who had worked in state schools including nor herself in waiting upon those been without education for over Miss Kennedy and Miss Gayfor, who needed it until, so close was her two years. Some had never been in a teachers from the Enmore Public attention to the hospital, that she school situation either due to age or School, while five were described collapsed utterly the last few days. Mr because of remoteness they had only as ‘teachers of high attainment Bethel was the right man in the right been educated in the family setting. and long experience outside place, and to him we went, not as to Australia’s share of this commitment Department’. Emily Kennedy had a a man in authority, but as to one in was 40 schoolteachers drawn from university degree and Isabel Whitton whom we felt confident New South Wales, was also highly qualified, employed we could place our Victoria, at Sydney Presbyterian Ladies’ trust and the teachers and South Australia; the College, she had previously been took the opportunity two other states being Principal of St Warburgh’s College for of presenting Mr Bethel considered too remote young ladies in Goulburn. with a beautifully to organise in the Six South Australian teachers went: inscribed artistic address. time. The contingent Kassie G. Wylie, Margaret M. Mcinnes, To Mrs Bethel was given began to be rolled Eva E. Benson, Frances A. Williams, a very handsome silver- out across the Empire Marie T. J. Liebing and Mrs. Lucy Maria backed brush and comb, from January 1902. Frick, the wife of the headmaster of upon our arrival in For whatever reason it Janet (Jessie) Toshack the Beachport school. Capetown.” The Bethels took Australia until July went with the group Ida May Robertson from New South to get organised. New into the Transvaal even visiting the Wales, a solicitor’s daughter, is a Zealand’s 20 woman contingent for concentration camps where the poignant example of these women. example travelled with the 10th New women would be working. Her brother, Trooper Thomas Zealand Mounted Rifles contingent. Cunningham Robertson, a serving The Australians departed 25 July Whilst the assembly point was volunteer, had deployed with D 1902 on the SS Medic. They were on a Melbourne, then the nation’s capital, squadron 1st New South Wales twelve month contract at 100 pounds the coordinator of the group was Mounted Rifles and was killed at the per annum. For some this was more provided by the New South Wales Renoster Kop 21 November 1900. Yet than they were earning but others Department of Education. This she saw her role clearly as assisting lost up to 18 pounds per annum was Mr Walter Bethel, described as in the rebuilding of South Africa. Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 24 – February 2015 Page 9 Women Teachers - from page 9 will receive consideration”. So said Papers at the time reported that The Inspector-General of Schools in Australians were favoured by the According to her referee it was this South Australia, Mr J L W Stanton. Transvaal authorities as being much that had ‘turned her mind to this Clearly these women risked a lot in more able to stand up to the rigors work …she is ambitious to do her going out to South Africa. of a bush school than many women small part in helping the Motherland’. We know very little about what from the rest of the Empire and that In the end, due to illness, one of happened to these women. Some many were offered extensions on the women teachers dropped out of the Queenslanders wrote letters their contracts. Although this is also and only 39 sailed from Australia. which were published in newspapers true of other women from around the However Sara E. Drysdale Empire. of Perth (W.A.) sailed from We encourage anyone with Halifax with a Canadian knowledge of these women, contingent on 12 April 1902 especially descendants, to let aboard the SS Corinthian. The us know what happened to circumstances around her them. A letter home by one of selection or even who she the women detailed that one was remain unclear. of their number had died from The various state governments enteric, however we have no took different approaches to name; there were of course recruitment. NSW and Victoria deaths from this disease from promised the women that other Empire contingents. their jobs would be there for Just as we rightly regard them if they returned at the Medic, 1899, sister to Afric and Persic the later battalions of the end of the contract. The South Pioneer of the ‘Colonial’ Service of the Whte Star line Australian Commonwealth Australian position was much more so we have glimpses up to 1904 but Horse as veterans; these women ambiguous. then Australia forgot about them. should be remembered for their “Should any of these teachers return Some stayed in South Africa, others humanitarian contributions to the to South Australia they will not married soldiers from around the rebuilding of South Africa. Empire and resettled whilst some necessarily secure reappointments but David Deasey if vacancies occur their applications must have returned home.

Reserve Forces Day Council early enlistments were by Boer War veteran soldiers and nurses. The support the RFDC has given the centenary of the First World War. fundraising for the National The Reserve Forces Day focus in 2015 The RFDC will continue to Boer War Memorial has been will commemorate the centenary make their Descendants and invaluable, as has the side-effect of of ANZAC. In particular it will Supporters medallions, and the spreading the message about it. commemorate the 8709 Australians, War Bars for descendants of 2779 New Zealanders and 130842 multi-war enlistees available, and The RFDC has now moved on from all combatants who did not pass the proceeds to the National towards doing similar work for return. As we know, nearly 30% of Boer War Memorial project.

RFD Medallions and Non-descendants “IN MEMORY” War Bar clasps are still Medallions may available be worn by all supporters of for Boer War veterans who the National also served in WWI and WWII Boer War These bars may only be worn Memorial with the Boer War Descendant’s project to Medallion any Boer War Applications to: related event. rfd.org.au/documents/BWM_ For more information Medallions/Claspapp.pdf and order forms or telephone 0403 160 750 Reserve Forces Day website: www.rfd.org.au/BWM_Fundraise

Page 10 Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 24 – February 2015 How many Australians in official contingents and took sponsored by Cardinal Moran, Roman advantage of ‘Indulgence Passages’ Catholic Archbishop of Sydney and ACTUALLY fought in subsidised and refundable fares, wrote (in addition to nursing) as a South Africa 1899 -1902? offered by Britain to encourage war correspondent under the pen experienced soldiers to return to name of ‘Arrah Luen’ especially for Part Four – The Irregular Units the war. Two of the most famous the Catholic Weekly. In previous issues we have looked So how many of these soldiers at who went as part of the Official went? The estimate (and it Australian contingents. There can only be an estimate) is were however many Australian approximately 7000, but each men and women who were part week we usually find a soldier or a of what are called South African nurse who has never before been Irregular units. Many were in identified as Australian, serving in South Africa working when war the war. Take for example Thomas broke out. Leslie Turner, born in the Cobar Walter Karri Davies was a district, who enlisted in the New timber merchant from Western South Wales Citizens Bushmen Australia running the South at the age of 15 by putting his African operation of his family’s age up. He was dragged out by timber company. Involved with his mother. He then stowed away the Jameson Raid, he went on on a boat to South Africa where to be one of the founders of he enlisted in the 2nd Scottish the Imperial Light Horse and Horse regiment. He only came to commanded it for a time. He has light while this article was being the distinction of being given written as a result of research into permission to reject the award of Cobar’s Boer War history. He was Major Walter Karri-Davies the Companion of the Bath (CB) interviewed by journalists late in examples of this were Harold Edward after it had been gazetted as he said his life (1946) about his experiences ‘Pompey’ Elliott (later Major General) he did not wish to profit from the war. as a fireman for Ben Chifley on the and Leighton Seymour Bracegirdle railways. (later Rear Admiral RAN)Agnes There were over 400 South African John Collison Close had come to McCready, a matron from Bowral, regiments that Australians were South Africa as a teenager looking for New South Wales, and a involved in. Some were tiny ‘Dads adventure. He served in the Matabele daughter of the former Moderator Army’ groups, others had highly war then, after service in the Boer War, of the NSW Presbyterian General specialised war fighting roles such he went on to be part of Mawson’s Assembly, travelled to South Africa as the Railway Pioneer Regiments, 1912 Polar expedition. in 1899 and was probably the first whilst many were crack mounted rifle Many went from Australia with the nursing sister from Australia to arrive regiments such as the Imperial Light zeal of patriotism. Some had not in theatre. Perhaps ironically she was Horse (ILH). This unit is still on the been selected for positions in official order of battle for the South African contingents, others had served Army today. David Deasey National Boer War Memorial Commemorative Ice Bucket TIO E NA NA H L B The main side drum approximately 170mm T O R E O R side shows high with a diameter of 170mm F W a picture (6½ inches). E NOW T A of the A SO THAT IT CAN R

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whilst the reverse shows the A 31 MAY 2017 William Molloy and send to: I A E

L L Queen’s and King’s South African P Colonel William Molloy RFD ED KLJ medals. The beige background 2 Karen Rd represents the South African Veldt, St Ives, NSW 2015. the date shows Boer War 1899 – 1902. The bucket is in the form of a [email protected]

Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 24 – February 2015 Page 11 Order Commemorative The envelopes are available in the Envelopes following forms: To commemorate the construction a. Envelope with of the statue of the first horseman two Australia/Israel the NSW Committee recently issued joint issue sixty cent commemorative envelopes (see Lighthorse stamps article on page 2). They feature a and commemorative bronzed figure of the clay model of Victoria Barracks the horseman and a commemorative stamp plus Australian c. Envelopes with only the Horseman stamp – Victoria Barracks Boer Mint 50 cent Boer War coin $20.00 figure $2.50 each or 10 for $20.00. War 1899-1902 (the pictures show (limited to 50 sets). prototypes only). Orders please to b. Envelope with two Australia/ Major Bernadette Mottram Israel joint issue sixty cent Lighthorse NBWMA stamps and commemorative Victoria Building 96 Victoria Barracks Barracks stamp $5.00. Paddington NSW 2021 Reprint of original and available NOW The Australians at the Boer War by R L Wallace New foreword by Col. John Haynes OAM CENTENARY OF ANZAC Memorial Certificate SYDNEY ANZAC DAY Free to Registered Descendants with MARCH 2015 book purchase. Gluestick it We encourage all inside the descendants to march cover for future under the Boer War generations of Banner on this occasion your family. and if possible wear their Please advise veteran ancestor’s ancestor’s medals on their Army Number (if right breast known), Surname, Given name(s) and unit(s) on the form below. TIO From Victoria E NA NA H L B T O R E O R To NBWMA – Victoria, PO Box 2006, Blackburn South, VIC 3130. F W E NOW Please mail me The Australians at the Boer War. Enclosed is a cheque/money T A

A SO THAT IT CAN R order (no cash please) for $60 to cover one book and postage.

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Please enclose a Memorial Certificate as our tribute to: Surname Given name(s)

Army number Unit(s) in which he/she served We need more funds. If you are not internet connected, please send your cheque If necessary, please add a note to clarify your required entry or money order to our Victoria Barracks address below. Thank you

Monumentally Speaking is an occasional newletter © National Boer War Memorial Association Correspondence and donations to Building 96, Victoria Barracks, Paddington, NSW 2021.