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

Artist’s impression NUMBER 28 – FEBRUARY 2016

NATIONAL BOER WAR MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION National Patron: Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC

NSW Committee of NBWMA Inc – Chairman: David Deasey

Our fund patron, AC would NSW Chairman’s Message like to see Sir retrospectively This issue sees further progress on the promoted to Field Marshal. memorial. As you are reading this the Chauvel and Monash had a competitive second horseman has been cast and is relationship but eventually it settled after being assembled whilst the third horseman WW1 into one of mutual respect and will be underway with the model nearing friendship. One day Chauvel should also be completion. The design specifications for the considered for posthumous promotion. fourth horseman have also been completed. After World War One Chauvel invited John The memorial ground design details should Monash to lead some key “Tactical Exercises also be approved this month. Our current Without Troops” ( TEWTs) at Duntroon and estimate is that we need $300,000 in 2016 this reflected the Boer War veteran and great to complete the fund raising total. We are on Light Horse leader admiring the track for the dedication date of 31 May 2017. young man and horse rider who went on to In this issue also we commence a series on excel on the Western Front. those AIF commanders and identities, who Chauvel wrote to his wife re Monash during saw service in the Boer War. Our first is on Sir World War One and both Chauvel and Monash , perhaps the last great horsed were promoted from Lieutenant to cavalry commander in history. What might General on the same day, 11 November 1929. AIF history have been like if Chauvel had As Tim Fischer and others have observed, accepted the invitation to take an Australian they were both giants of their times! to France? David Deasey

Monumentally Speaking is a periodic newsletter of the National Boer War Memorial Association Correspondence and donations to Building 96, Barracks, Paddington, NSW 2021. In this issue Lord Carrington NSW Chairman’s Message...... 1 Monday ANZAC Day 2016...... 2 Lord Carrington...... 2 25 April 2016 Vale Les Perrrett...... 2 Book a Speaker...... 3 NSW Committee...... 3 National and State Contacts...... 3 ACT and SA Committees...... 3 Fund raising...... 4 Second horseman detail...... 4 ANZAC DAY MARCH 2015 News from ...... 5 Descendants Gathering Boer War descendants any Australians were sent to Be Careful What You Ask For and supporters are urged to MEngland either for rest and South Australian Legion support their local ANZAC Day recuperation or for further medical Commemorations. Boer War - Wentworth NSW...... 6 treatment. Whilst medically they were descendants are invited once M D Hales - Tasmanian...... 7 looked after, separated from their again to march behind the Boer administrative system they were soon The Ordinance 5” BL gun...... 7 War banner. in trouble as they had no money. Sir Harry Chauvel...... 8 Please note that this year there is Everyone from the Commander in Service & South Africa...10 a change to the assembly point. It Chief down is ‘owned’ by a unit in the Book Review...... 10 will be in King Street between Pitt Army for administrative purposes. Reserve Forces Day Council...... 10 and Castlereagh Streets. Look for Lord Carrington, former Governor of Commemorative Envelopes...... 11 the Boer War banner. NSW, worked tirelessly on the welfare of all these Australians, raising the issue in Parliament, opening his own home to them and getting friends VALE LES PERRETT involved in the process. Eventually the British Government recognised the problem and put systems in place to fix the issue. His brother, Rupert, had stayed in Australia, married an Australian girl and went on to command the 3rd NSW Imperial Bushmen in South Africa. A former Grenadier Guards officer, he actually spent more time in Australian uniform than British. Things might have remained that way except Lord Carrington’s only son was killed in World War 1. Thus, on his brother’s death, Rupert succeeded to the title and became the grandfather of the current Lord Carrington (Margaret Thatcher’s Long time member of the NSW -1902 from the Hunter Valley to Foreign Minister). Commiittee, Les Perrett, died Transvaal was an important An item of trivia: the family name suddenly in October 2015. contribution to the history of is Carington whilst the title is Les, a descendant, was one our the NSW Lancer contingents. Carrington. David Deasey key public speakers, especially He will be sorely missed by north of Sydney in the Newcastle members of both the NSW and district and the Hunter Valley. National committees. Members Sydney Boer War Day A published historian, his of both committees attended for 2016 is book The Anglo Boer War 1899 his memorial service. Sunday 29 May

Page 2 – Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 28 – February 2016 An invitation from David Deasey, Chairman, NSW Committee of NBWMA Book a Speaker for Your Association on’t hesitate to contact me to arrange delighted to put our first war as a nation Da speaker for your association. Our into context. 23,000 Australian soldiers and lively presentations are about 40 minutes nurses served, 1,000 did not return. We are allowing time after for questions, but are remembering them. often adapted for both shorter and longer Regardless of the duration of the periods to meet your needs, lunchtime or a presentation requested, our speakers need conference. a working computer, video projector and The story of Australia’s contribution to the screen for supporting visuals and, for larger Boer War is little known. Our presenters are groups, a microphone. David Deasey To arrange for a speaker contact David Deasey – 0409 585 877 NSW SCHEDULE OF PRESENTATIONS 2016 - David Deasey will be speaking at the following 26 Feb 10:00 am Pennant Hills Mens’ Probus Pennant Hills Bowling Club 19 Mar 9:30 am West Wyalong Family History Group West Wyalong 2 April 2:30 pm Rock Hill War Memorial and St Clair Museum staff Goulburn Soldiers Club 26 Apr 11:30 am Rose Bay Probus Anglican Church Hall, Watsons Bay 12 May 10:00 am Moss Vale Probus Club Moss Vale Golf Club 13 May 11:15 am Balgowlah Probus Club Balgowlah RSL Club

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Edwardian Afternoon Southern Cross, played wonderful Tea Dance 1 November old time music and dancers swung gaily and with much laughter to delightful Tea Dance was Strip the Willow, the Barn Dance A held at Old Government and the Pride of Erin. House in Parramatta Park. It was Afternoon Tea was enjoyable and well attended by Descendants, the crowd participated in a Silent Supporters and Friends of the Auction (to guess the weight of NSW Committee of the National a home cooked Christmas Cake). Boer War Memorial Association, A small raffle was held and lucky with a number of people dressed door prizes were won on the day. in period costume. The President, COL John Haynes and Mrs In all a very pleasant time was Haynes represented the National enjoyed by all who attended. Committee. A great band, The Bernadette Mottram

L to R: Brian Walters, Jilly Warren, Lani Davis, David Deasey, Owen Graham, Barbara O’Keefe, Paul Lenehan, Bernadette Mottram.

2015 Raffle to aid the Memorial Winners in the 2015 Raffle were 7th Bracelet - Mr D Elbourne 1st 1902 Gold Sovereign - Mrs E Bouchier 8th Royal Albert Bon Bon Dish - Mrs B McAlister 2nd Prize R.M. Williams voucher - Mrs T Trevenar 9th Royal Albert Bon Bon Dish - Ms A Fallon 3rd Bottle of Chivas Regal - Mrs S Gillespie 10th Royal Albert China - Mrs D Lysaght 4th Oroton Handbag - Mr R Langsford 11th Cake Slice - Mr B Harrison 5th Designer Silver Dish - Mrs C Dove 12th Travel clock & Boer War coin - Mrs P Grace 6th Designer Chrome Bowl - Mr A Cairnes Bernadette Mottram

We still need money – please keep fundraising

Page 4 – Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 28 – February 2016 News from South Australia Photographer Ms Bec Norton Descendants and Friends Our keynote Gathering 2015 speaker, Ms Christeen ur first Gathering since 2013 was Schoepf, is hosted by the Walkerville RSL a Historical O John Spencer on Sunday 1 November and what Archaeologist and a wonderful Gathering it was. The Peter Stanford Wayne Barrie hall was packed, the Devonshire tea Community was delicious, the bar was open, we Historian had some terrific speakers and an in the final phase of her amazing photographic display. Christeen Schoepf Following the Exaltation and Ode PhD. Her research has of Remembrance delivered by Mr Meridee and Betty Just Julie, June and Lorraine John Spencer our Chairman Monty explored the patriotic groups Smith welcomed everyone including formed in Adelaide during the Mr Geoff Brock MP, the Minister of Boer War as the origins of the Regional Development and the networks that extended into World War 1. Her paper was lovely Ms Rachel Sanderson, MP for Sally James and Betty and grandaughter, Adelaide. titled A Sense of Place. Ros Conway Lindsay Our first speakers were Mr John Our third speaker, Mr Spencer and Mr Peter Stanford. Wayne Barrie has spent long hours Following afternoon tea, visits to the Their topic was Small Arms in the researching just one small event by a armoury display and photographic South African Boer War and a Jam handful of South Australian Troopers display and catching up with friends Tin of Incidentals. They produced a of the 4th South Australian Imperial we settled down again for the Q & A comprehensive display of Australian, Bushmen. During his research he session. It seems that whenever British and Boer armoury, uniforms has collated and produced post-card we have a Q & A there are always and photographs. During the size photographs of every soldier requests to assist with family research. afternoon tea break their display was in the 4SAIB. These were displayed A most successful and friendly event well patronised and many questions for everyone to see and identify. His which we promised to repeat. were tossed back and forth. story of his research had everyone in stitches. Monty Smith: Chairman NBWMA(SA)

Be Careful What You Ask For while travelling during If found then please email the summer holidays. photographs to Monty. t our Descendants & Friends The idea was to find and To date, one from back ADay in November Chairman photograph SA Boer War o’ Bourke, NSW and one Monty Smith asked the Gathering monuments, plaques, from South Island, N.Z. to keep their eyes and ears open stones, honour rolls and So, we are still looking for any references to the SA memorials and one can South African war. We only assume that South know where most of the Australians holiday in grand memorials are but.. faraway places. where are those small memorials with perhaps Monty Smith: Chairman just a few, or even lone, NBWMA(SA) names?

South Australia Legion of the Boer War and by 1907 we had May is always History Month in a Legion in South Australia. South Australia and our Service and ur Chairman Monty Smith has For some years these young folk other events will be listed in the Obeen invited to Fort Glanville instituted the Youth Vigils on About Time catalogue. on Wednesday evening 24 February Anzac Day Eve at the Adelaide War If your group, club or organisation to give a presentation titled Before Memorial. would like to book one of our Gallipoli- what? to the Legion of Our NBWMA(SA) Committee has excellent speakers please contact Frontiersmen Cadets. invited the Legion Cadets to take the Hon. Secretary June Haggett on The Legion is a particularly South part in this year’s Boer War Day 86325574 or email Australian organisation for girls and Commemorative Service on Sunday boys aged 9 to 18 years old. Our link 29 May at 11am. They will form the with the Legion is that it was formed catafalque party at our heritage in London, U.K. in 1904 by veterans listed Boer War monument.

Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 28 – February 2016 – Page 5 Boer War – Wentworth NSW

t the outbreak of the Boer AWar Wentworth, situated in far western at the Junction of the Murray and Darling Rivers, was an important regional hub based on the still thriving riverboat trade, fledgling horticultural development and a vast pastoral district reaching far to the north. It was no surprise that when recruits were called for military service during the Boer War no fewer than fifteen Wentworth men were willing to enlist. One of these was a jackeroo from Avoca Station (one of the big stations in the pastoral Boer War Volunteers from Wentworth NSW district of Wentworth) and three were associated with stations near listed with the ten local men. they will be together the whole time. the township of Pooncarie on the The Wentworth Men The tenth man did not get through the Darling River. 2nd New South Wales Mounted Rifles chest measurement. He looked very At that time, Mr C F Butler was No 3475 JOHN BALCHIN young and not up to the standard, but the town’s Police Magistrate. He No 3480 FRED BUTCHER with regard to the first lot I wish I had was an ex-Army Officer and was No 3478 JOHN GUNN EDWARDS 500 of them. ready to help with training and No 3485 EDWARD THOMAS HUTCHINGS The tenth man, Henry Joseph advice. Mr Butler was also a friend No 3483 THOMAS ALEXANDER JACKSON Thorn, probably with help from No 3476 WILLIAM DONALD McLEOD of Lt Col H B Lassetter who was to his mates, became a stowaway on No 3491 NORMAN OSWALD become the Commanding Officer No 3479 GEORGE WASHINGTON RANDELL the troopship Custodian and when of 2 New South Wales Mounted No……. HENRY JOSEPH THORN discovered on arrival in South Africa Rifles. The community became very No 3488 JOHN WILLIAMS was enrolled by Colonel Lassetter thankful that their men had such a 3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles who wrote to Mr Butler to say and Commanding Officer who took so No 1703 RALPH CUMMING he is doing alright! (There is no official much interest in his men. No 3605 JOHN ERNEST PUSHMAN record of his service Ed) The townspeople were very willing BOWERING (BOWRING) From another letter from Lt Col to assist ‘their boys’ in every way. The 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles Lassetter an extract read: Your coach proprietor, Mr C G McMahon, No 836 FREDERICK NORMAN TAYLOR Wentworth men are doing splendidly made horses available for riding 5th Western Australian Mounted and Captain Lydiard who commands training and the Senior Sergeant No 243 ROBERT JAMES HANCOCK the squadron to whom they belong of Police, Mr Bear, supervised rifle The Editor of the Wentworth Local tells me he has not had a better lot. shooting. There were also donations Paper, The Federal Standard, printed Sickness, especially fevers, caused made for the coach trip to the extracts from letters men wrote to the men a lot of trouble. Three railway at Hay. their families. One letter from Sydney Wentworth men were sent home ill Ten men out of the fifteen were told that the men felt flattered and received a hero’s welcome of deemed up to the standard required when cheers were raised at the course and one tried to re-enlist. Lt and a Public Farewell was held with announcement they had beaten all Col Lassetter certainly showed he the leading citizens giving thanks the others in riding, shooting and had the Wentworth men under his to the men and to those who had medical tests. eye. When Fred Butcher was very ill assisted. Mr Butler also allowed extracts from with typhoid fever he so kindly wrote Later it was discovered that four ex- his letters from Lt Col Lassetter to to Mr Butler to say he was too plucky Wentworth men, one from Sydney, be printed in The Federal Standard. and did not go sick until he was very one from Bourke, one from Victoria One extract read Those nine men ill....he would keep at his work. and one from , also came down this morning and were at Several of the men received enlisted. They kept in close touch the camp at 9 o’clock...... , and I have promotion; namely John Williams with their friends from home and are got them all in the one Squadron, so who became a Corporal and Robert

Page 6 – Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 28 – February 2016 James Hancock who became a Sergeant (when he was severely M D Hales wounded near Carolina his friends thought he might get an award for Tasmanian his bravery). Also Jack Bowring; in a letter which his father allowed to be who served printed in the Federal Standard it was mentioned he was a Sergeant and in both Acting Quartermaster. Western It is noted that Edward Thomas Hutchings (his friends mentioned Australian him escaping amid a shower of bullets) was one in the list of two and NSW NCOs chosen by the Commander in Chief to attend the Coronation of Units King Edward VII (he did not attend). South Australians and It was good news when it was known Tasmanians. They were that the men were on the Troopship under the command of Lt heading for home but sadly Ralph Colonel J Rowell, South Cumming became seriously ill with Australia. appendicitis and on arrival at Sydney Having captured was taken to hospital and died. The Bethlehem they pursued Public Welcome Home became a sad de Wet through Oliphants affair when the death of Ralph was Nek. They finished the made known but was somewhat year under General cheered by the presence of Robert aurice Day Hales was born Plumer who would command the Hancock on his way back to Western Min Launceston, , 2nd British Army in . Australia. 15 December 1873, the son of In early 1901 they helped drive de Maud Crang (Wentworth) Archdeacon Francis Hales and his Wet out of Cape Colony. In May 1901 wife Ann Augusta. He was educated at Launceston Church Grammar they were involved in sharp fighting The Ordinance 5” BL gun School until 1893. on the Bethal–Standerton Road In his late teens he acted as a which gained a commendation from field secretary and general aide Kitchener. to the Bishop of Tasmania, Bishop Hales remained in South Africa when Montgomery, on his trips visiting his unit came home and re-enlisted bush communities. It is fascinating to as a Sgt No 317 with the 3rd New think that in this role he would have South Wales Imperial Bushmen come in contact with the Bishop’s commanded by Lt Colonel Rupert young son, Bernhard, the future Carington CVO DSO DL (later Lord Field Marshal, Viscount Montgomery Carrington, grandfather of Margaret of Alamein. I wonder what they thought of each other. Thatcher’s Foreign Minister). This unit was part of Colonel Ingouville By 1900 Maurice was settled in Williams’ famed column. Bunbury, Western Australia, as a These weapons had been introduced 26-year-old accountant. He was also The unit records record him as in the 1890s after it was decided to heavily involved with the racing Matthew not Maurice for reasons use only shrapnel shells in the field industry in Bunbury. He enlisted with which are not known. Later in guns. They fired a 50 pound high the 4th Western Australian Mounted May 1902 he was promoted to explosive (Lyddite) shell over 4400 Infantry arriving in South Africa at Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant metres. Port Elizabeth on the SS Manhattan, (RQMS). At twice the weight of a field gun landing on 19 June 1900. Following the war, Hales remained they were pulled by oxen in the Boer They were part of General Clement’s in South Africa marrying a South War gaining the nickname ‘Cow column and served in the actions African and dying in Johannesburg Guns’. Slow and cumbersome, they of Bethlehem, Rhenoster Kop in 1935. It is not known whether he nevertheless earned their keep in the and Wittebergen. They formed served in World War I with the South war. They served at Gallipoli and in a part of the 4th Bushmen African forces. the East African campaign in World Regiment consisting, as well as David Deasey War1. Western Australian troops, of

Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 28 – February 2016 – Page 7 Sir Harry Chauvel Boer War Veteran & AIF Commander A Soldier of Three Wars he Aussies trumped Lawrence family had had a long history of T – and no one remembers! was service in the British Army. Young the title of a Sydney Morning Henry was army mad but the family Herald article in 2010. The article circumstances meant that Sandhurst referred to the event in World was out of the question. War I history where troops of the His father was instrumental in , in particular raising the Upper Clarence Light the 10th Horse. Its lineal descendants, the Regiment from Western Australia New South Wales Lancers, served in under the command of Sir Harry the Boer War and still exist on the Chauvel, had beaten Lawrence of order of battle today. Henry was Diamond Hill. At the crossing of the Arabia and the Arabs into Damascus. commissioned as an officer in the Vet River, he personally captured a Lawrence said slightingly of the unit in 1886. Due to a family move, Boer . By this time he ANZACs that the Australians were Chauvel was commissioned in the had been promoted major and given too sure of themselves to be careful… Mounted Infantry overall command of what remained thin tempered, hollow, instinctive… in 1890 and in 1896 he received of both the 1st and 2nd Queensland the sporting Australians saw the appointment to Queensland Mounted Infantry. Returning home, campaign as a point to point with Permanent Military Forces. As part he raised and commanded the 7th Damascus the post. of the Queensland contingent he Australian Commonwealth Horse Chauvel tartly responded by went to the Queen’s Jubilee in1897 Regiment as a Lieutenant Colonel pointing out that an entire and stayed on for a year undergoing but peace was signed before the of Australians and one of his Indian training in Britain. unit reached South Africa. For regiments had already been through After a period recruiting from his South African services he was Damascus before Lawrence and Boer War volunteers Chauvel was awarded the Commander of the his Arabs got there. He might as appointed as a captain and Officer Order of St Michael and St George well have mentioned that support Commanding ‘A’ , 2nd (CMG), Mentioned in Dispatches from the Australian Flying Corps Queensland Mounted Infantry. His and appointed a Brevet Lieutenant squadrons had also been critical to company was one of the assault Colonel. Lawrence’s success. companies at Sunnyside where the He distinguished himself in staff Henry George (Harry) Chauvel was first Australian deaths of the war postings before World War I being born 16 April 1865 at Tabulam in occurred on 1 January 1900. He took at one point a member of the northern New South Wales the son part in the Relief of Kimberley, the military board. He was in England of a grazier, Charles Chauvel. The advance to Pretoria and the Battle of when the First World War broke out. He was selected to command the first Australian Light Horse Brigade as well as being at the time the AIF Liaison Officer in the UK. It was partly due to his advice, that the camps for the AIF at Salisbury would not be ready in time, that the decision was taken to hold the 1st AIF in . At Gallipoli he landed with his brigade as dismounted infantry on 12 , taking command of the area around Pope’s, Quinn’s and Courtney’s posts. He was instrumental in defeating the Turkish assaults of 29 May. He took command of the of the AIF on 6 November 1915 and was promoted Major General Desert Mounted Corps Officers (Septimus Power) in December. He led the division

Page 8 – Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 28 – February 2016 through the evacuation of Gallipoli. Corps consisted of four divisions: In early 1916 he was invited to take the Australian Mounted Division, one of the divisions to France but ANZAC Mounted Division, the 4th elected to remain to command and 5th (Indian) Cavalry Divisions, the ANZAC Mounted Division. As 20th Indian Infantry Brigade and 1st General Birdwood remained AIF Australian Light Car Patrol. In 1919 commander but was in France, he was appointed GCMG. Chauvel became the local AIF After the war he took over as Chief of commander in the Middle East. the General Staff (Chief of Army) and, His division (the only desert worthy faced with extraordinary difficulties, mobile division) protected the kept the Army together until his southern front from Turkish raids retirement in 1930. Belatedly in 1929 and was key to the defeat of the Officers of the Queensland Mounted Infantry. he was promoted to full General. Turks at Romani 4-5 August 1916 Chauvel is squatting in the front row, second During World War 2 Chauvel was and later destroyed the Turkish from the right, holding a rifle. responsible for the raising of the garrisons at Rafa () Volunteer Defence Corps (Home and Magdhaba (January 1917). After by the British 60th Division ending Guard) and remained its Inspector this success he was knighted (KCMG). with the capture of Jerusalem. Again General until his death in 1945. In he was given Chauvel was knighted (KCB). Like Monash, Chauvel was never command of the Desert Column In 1918, after raids into Jordan, recognised by his country for his (ANZAC Mounted Division and three of the corps divisions were achievements post World War 1. Imperial Mounted Division) and secretly transferred to the coast. This David Deasey when, in June, this became the operation itself was an extraordinary Desert Mounted Corps of three achievement as the Turks were divisions (ANZAC Mounted Division, totally unaware of the move. On Australian Mounted Division and 19 September, after the infantry British Yeomanry Division) Chauvel smashed through the Turkish lines, became the first Australian to lead a the Desert Mounted Corps moved Corps. In August he was promoted Lt thirty to forty miles behind the Turks General. in twenty four hours. The Battle In October came the successful of Megiddo was one of the most capture of Beersheba (with its successful battles of the war. Chauvel stirring cavalry charge) followed by drove the Turks across the Golan Heights and entered Damascus on 1 October. the driving of the Turks up the Plain H G Chauvel of Philistia beyond Jaffa supported By the end of the war Chauvel’s leaves Gallipoli in 1916

Quality Australian-made NBWMA tie in the colours Original 1900 of the Queen’s South collection Africa medal ribbon of Boer War on a navy photographs. background NSW recruits train and leave $28 inc. for service in postage South Africa. In this full A4 sized publication photos are From NSW reprinted in black and white as crystal clear as the glass plates, long exposures and huge lenses made possible then. A4 $20 inc. postage size

Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 28 – February 2016 – Page 9 The Australian colonies, on learning Army Service Corps and South Africa of the opening of hostilities in South Africa, immediately offered ost military history accounts list of the RACT were there, and we to assist the mother country. Mthe combat elements but end logisticians know that heroic first- with “and administrative” or “logistic line deeds cannot succeed without units”. Histories of the Boer War effective supply and transport. are no different; very few describe But wait on! Talking of heroism, wasn’t logistic details. But the predecessors the Elands River post a supply depot? Book Review ix Victoria Crosses, three Royal The same can be said for his second SRed Crosses and over 160 other work, Honours and Awards of the decorations were awarded to Army. Here he traces the origins of the Australians serving in the Boer War. awards and places that in the context Early versions of Australia’s flag of Australian military history. appeared late in the war. These works are important aides for For those who would like to put this researchers in understanding the Condescendingly, like a parent not into context, historian Major General background to military tradition. wishing to offend an enthusiastic but Gordon Maitland has written two Details of how to get these works amateurish child, the Brits accepted, books that do just that. are below. Note: please do not send but suggested that we send mainly The Story of Australia’s Flags traces money to the NBWMA – use the the origins of flags, standards, guidons contact as shown in the illustration. infantry or mounted infantry. What and colours relating the topic to the we finished up sending were State Australian context. shop.playbill.com.au/books contingents without any national co-ordination, and without Army Service Corps (ASC) units or sub- units. We did, however, eventually send some gunners, chaplains and medics; and to service the huge numbers of animals engaged, both mounts and transport, we shipped vets and farriers.

But ASC men did manage to get in the act. Some left Australia having been recruited for the Imperial Forces (Boer War), and some went at their own expense to South Africa. Such men were sometimes employed in Imperial ASC units. Then there were ASC officers and men who opted to join combat squadrons and regiments. For example, an officer and a bugler from the Victorian ASC accompanied

Page 10 – Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 28 – February 2016 the first Victorian contingent. The OC of the NSW ASC, MAJ D. Miller, A Horseman of LAPEL was with the NSW Imperial Bushmen Memorial’s design (NSWIB). When they arrived in South BADGE Africa he was invited to command From NSW a British ASC unit, but he declined, $10.00 preferring to stay with the Bushmen. LT D.F. Miller, also from the NSW ASC, was severely wounded with the NSWIB. He later died as a captain in the 3rd NSW Mounted Rifles. The previous service of early Boer War volunteers was noted, but not PRICE INCLUDES POSTAGE for later contingents, so later ASC volunteers cannot be identified Please order as such in available records. o commemorate the construction Tof the statue of the first horseman Commemorative the NSW Committee recently issued Envelopes commemorative envelopes. They feature a bronzed figure of the clay Orders please to Major Bernadette Mottram model of the first horseman and a NBWMA Building 96 commemorative stamp – Victoria Victoria Barracks Barracks Boer War 1899-1902. Paddington NSW 2021 Two combinations are available (same envelope sizes)

Photographs of ASC men taken after 1902, however, often show South Africa medals. We do know that by late 1900 some four officers and 29 A. Envelope with two Australia/ joint issue B. Envelopes with only the other ranks from the NSW ASC were 60c Lighthorse stamps and commemorative Horseman figure $2.50 each serving with mounted infantry units. Victoria Barracks stamp $5.00. or 10 for $20.00. John Neenan

Sydney Boer War Day for 2016 is Sunday 29 May

Reserve Forces Day Council Descendant’s Medallion War Bar Clasps 50mm diameter with neck ribbon Should the veteran have gone on to in the colours of the Queen’s official serve in World War 1 and/or World service medal, all enclosed in a War 2 additional War Bar Clasps may presentation pouch. be purchased. These bars may only be worn with the Boer War Descendant’s In Memory Medallion Medallion. Non-descendants “IN MEMORY” For more information Medallions may be and order forms for both medallions worn by all supporters and the war bar clasps please visit of the National Boer War rfd.org.au/site/Commemorative_ Memorial project to any Medallions.asp#boer Boer War related event. or telephone 02 9908 1863

Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 28 – February 2016 – Page 11 NEW NATIONAL National Boer War Memorial MEMORIAL Commemorative Ice Bucket BADGE The main side drum approximately 170mm side shows high with a diameter of 170mm a picture (6½ inches). of the The cost is $145 including postage memorial and packing. Please make your NEW design cheque or money order payable to: whilst the reverse shows the William Molloy and send to: Queen’s and King’s South African medals. The beige background represents the South African Veldt, $10.00 the date shows Boer War 1899 – The new National Boer War 1902. The bucket is in the form of a Memorial Badge has just arrived. It is similar to the Medallion but 30mm diameter, thin and with Reprint of original and available NOW different wording. The Australians at the Boer War by R L Wallace PRICE INCLUDES POSTAGE New foreword by Get yours before the postage goes up! Col. John Haynes OAM National Memorial Certificate Order from Brian Walters at Free to Registered Descendants with [email protected] book purchase. or by mail: Gluestick it NSW Boer War Memorial Asscn Inc inside the Building 96 Victoria Barracks cover for future Paddington NSW 2021 generations of your family. TIO Please advise E NA NA H L B veteran ancestor’s T O R E O R Army Number (if F W E NOW known), Surname, T A

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P Please mail me The Australians at the Boer War. Enclosed is a cheque/money order (no cash please) for $60 to cover one book and postage. Name

Address In our final push to raise funds, if you are not internet connected please Town/Suburb State Postcode send your cheque or money order to our Victoria Barracks address below. Please enclose a Memorial Certificate as our tribute to: Thank you. Surname Given name(s)

ANZAC Day Army number Unit(s) in which he/she served Sydney descendants are invited to march behind the Boer War If necessary, please add a note to clarify your required entry banner. Assemble in King Street.

Monumentally Speaking is a periodic newsletter © National Boer War Memorial Association Correspondence and donations to Building 96, Victoria Barracks, Paddington, NSW 2021. MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING WEST AUSTRALIAn EDITION FEBRUARY 2016 DISTRIBUTED WITH MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING 28 the National Boer War Memorial Association Newsletter for NSW, SA and ACT

National Boer War Memorial Association. National Patron: WA Committee of NBWMA Inc Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin AC Chairman: Maurice Kissane The Controversy over the death of Lt Anthony Forrest General Walter Kitchener in the Anthony Alexander Forrest Some elements of the Western Middleburg area of was born 20 November 1884 Australian Press went into overdrive the Transvaal the in Perth, Western Australia. when he was appointed as an West Australians He was the son of Alexander officer to the 5th Western Australian had been capturing Forrest, a politician who had Mounted Infantry in early 1901 cattle, chasing small been twice Mayor of Perth and only just after his 16th birthday. parties of Boers but in reality a nephew of John and David Favouritism and incompetence had seen little action. On15 Forrest, both politicians. His being the words thrown freely about and 16 May all that changed uncle, John Forrest, had been by many in the press. Yet we have with two days of extremely Premier of Western Australia and many examples of 15-year-olds heavy swirling action. On the was currently Federal Defence being officially on active service evening of the 14th a British Minister. All the Forrests had in South Africa. One paper rather Liaison Officer had advised gained fame for the exploration fatuously argued that people should several Boer families (women of the interior of WA. not be appointed officers until at and children) that they would least the age of 45. Anthony Forrest by the time be moved on the following of the Boer War had already morning. This of course led to an impressive record. At the inevitable consequence Hale School in Perth he had when the West Australians went represented the school in to collect them the following cricket, AFL and rowing. He morning. On arrival at the was a school prefect and had farmhouse one group was sent captained in the AFL side. At to collect some Boer wagons 15 years 257 days, he became a little way off. This group was the second youngest WAFL immediately ambushed. Lt Reid debutante when he represented (a Presbyterian clergyman and Perth in the 1900 season. At Forrest was killed in action at former AFL player with Fitzroy, the same time he joined the Grobelaars Recht near Carolina on his second tour) directed Perth Volunteers, a (although official reports cited it Forrest to deploy his command militia unit. Reports at the time as Brakpan) on 15 May 1901 at just to protect the wagons and indicated that he passed the 16 years of age and some elements then took two troops to block gunnery course in the top half of the Press immediately took the the Boers. Forrest had been dozen students. opportunity yet again to vilify the promoted recently to command Forrests. 15 May 1901 became a ‘bad of the troop or division of his TIO day at the office’ for the 5th and 6th E NA NA company, surely in itself a H L B WAMI. During 10 days operating T O recommendation as to his ability. R E under the command of Major O R F W E NOW T A

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L L P 6th Western Australian Mounted Infantry on parade The Boers were present in (lying) position and were shot by were running high. The 16th overwhelming numbers. Forrest mounted Boers as they galloped also saw further heavy fighting, was advised by an Afrikaner up. The casualty tally from both from which Lt Frederick Bell was scout to run but chose to stay units was eight killed and another awarded the . Both and deploy his troop to protect seven including Lt Reid wounded. Forrest and Reid (who although the wagons as ordered. Forrest, Following the funerals the next badly wounded refused to leave Sergeant Edwards, Corporal morning General Kitchener his post) were Mentioned in Bollinger and Trooper Blanck felt it necessary to impress on Dispatches (MiD). He is buried were all killed. The location of the Australians the need not to in Middleburg Cemetery, South the wounds indicate that they take vengeance on the civilian Africa. were fighting from a prone population. Clearly feelings

Officers of the 6th Western Australian Mounted Infantry Perth Boer War Day for 2016 is Sunday 29 May Monumentally Speaking is a periodic newsletter © National Boer War Memorial Association