MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING
DEDICATION SOUVENIR EDITION National Boer War Memorial Association Newsletter for NSW, SA & ACT NUMBER 32 – OCTOBER 2017
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 NSW Chairman’s Message There may however be some server changes for This issue sees us reach the end of a long road. the website but that should not inconvenience The dream has become a reality. The Canberra anyone. The various State committees will continue dedication performed by His Excellency, General independently in different forms with the continued Sir Peter Cosgrove was a wonderful climax to the aim of commemorating the war and its veterans. Memorial process. The Memorial was ultimately Members in South Australia, Western Australia and delivered on time and slightly under budget. the ACT should contact their own State committees Already we have had contact with people from for further details. all walks of life who have little knowledge of us This newsletter MS 32 will be the last newsletter in but have wanted to tell us how magnificent the the series which began so many years ago. There Memorial is and how moved that they are by it. may be some specials in the future but there will So where to now? It has been decided that the be no longer a national wide coverage of all states National committee will close down as soon as by newsletter unless it is done by the relevant state the various accountable pieces of paperwork committee. It has been an exciting journey and we are complete, probably about January 2018. The thank all for their support to produce such an iconic website will remain ‘live’ for the time being and statement of commemoration for our veterans. we are expecting to fund it for the next five years. David Deasey Monumentally Speaking is a periodic newsletter of the National Boer War Memorial Association Correspondence and donations to Building 96, Victoria Barracks, Paddington, NSW 2021. IMPORTANT NOTICE In this issue New South Wales Activities into the Future. NSW Chairman’s Message...... 1 or descendants there will be the usual Boer War NSW Future Activities...... 2 FDescendants March on Anzac Day in Sydney each year. Details of location will be available on the RSL website National and State Contacts...... 3 and the Boer War website. Mark these in your diaries. NSW, SA and ACT Committees...... 3 The annual Boer War Commemoration will be on Sunday, South Australia Committee...... 3 27 May 2018, at the Anzac Memorial, Hyde Park south, Sydney Boer War Day...... 4 Sydney at 11 AM. Watch for more details on our own The Canberra Dedication...... 6 website at www.bwm.org.au Boer War Day in Adeaide...... 14 We would hope that individual towns and localities Balaklava Honours Veterans...... 14 would continue their own commemorations. SA Descendants’ and Friends’ Day...... 15 Sir Harry Chauvel Memorial...... 15 It has been a pleasure...... 16
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Please order Commemorative Envelopes
To commemorate the construction of the statue of the first horseman the NSW A Committee recently issued commemorative envelopes. They feature a bronzed figure of the clay model of the first horseman and a commemorative B stamp – Victoria Barracks Boer War 1899-1902.
Orders please to Major Bernadette Mottram - A. Envelope with two Australia/Israel NBWMA Building 96 joint issue 60c Lighthorse stamps and Victoria Barracks - Paddington Victoria Barracks stamp $5.00. NSW 2021 B. Envelopes with only the Horseman figure $2.50 each or 10 for $20.00. PG
Page 2 – Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 32 – October 2017 Photographers BW Ben Wrigley
CD Caroline Deasey
DR Dave Randall
DRJH John Howells
DRPR Paul Raynham
PG Phillip Gao
RB Rob Bishop BW
Commonwealth Horse badge 1901
Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 32 – October 2017 – Page 3 Sydney Boer War Day Commemoration
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he Sydney Boer War Day T Commemoration, 28 May occurred as usual at the ANZAC Memorial Hyde Park Sydney. CD Our MC was again Mr Darren Mitchell. Our guest speakers were Major General, The Honorable Justice Paul Brereton and The Honorable Natasha Maclaren- Jones MLC representing the NSW government. Other notables present were Professor the Honorable Dame Marie Bashir, Mr David Merton representing the NSW Opposition and Senator Sam Dastyari representing the CD Federal opposition. All three services were represented as well as other service and philanthropic organisations. School students played a major role in the service with Janelle Sheen and Grace Park (Sydney Girls High); Bugler Harry Braitwaite and Piper Matthew Lim (The Scots College); and cadet corporal Stephen Elliott 306 Squadron AAFC (Sydney Grammar School) taking leading roles. Our Chaplain was Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Colin Aiken. We thank all of those who took part. CD
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Next Sydney Annual Commemoration Sunday 27 May 2018 ANZAC Memorial
Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 32 – October 2017 – Page 5 The Canberra Dedication anberra for the Dedication 31 The ceremony was under the His Excellency, General, The CMay dawned sunny but cold – direction of the master of Honorable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK, MC coats and gloves being the order of ceremonies Major General Iain gave the Dedication address and the day. It was however a sparkling Spence CSC RFD. Seven members unveiled a commemorative plaque day and approximately 2000 people of the Australian Light Horse with Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove. attended from all over Australia. All Association attended as a mounted Our National President, Colonel states were represented and it was tribute as well as other re-enactors John Haynes OAM gave a warm great to see the South Australian giving a great deal of colour to welcome to all and our fund contingent. Chairman Mr Michael Crouch Guests included representatives AO gifted the memorial to the from all state governments Commonwealth. including His Excellency General, During the service wreathes The Honorable David Hurley were laid by His Excellency, AC, DSC the Governor of NSW Members of the Diplomatic and Mrs Hurley. This was an Corps, Air Chief Marshal Binskin, important moment as General other senior service members Hurley had given us enormous and Descendants of Boer War support whilst Chief of the veterans. At the conclusion of Defence Force as did both his the service Their Excellencies successor Air Chief Marshal Mark mingled with the crowd whilst Binskin AC and his predecessor unit and corps representatives Air Chief Marshal Sir Angus as well as members of the public Houston AK, AC (Mil) AFC. Guests laid tributes. included senior members of the diplomatic corps and Defence All who were present remarked the occasion. Music was provided Attaches, senior Australian service on how deeply moved they by the band of the Royal Military officers led by the Chief of the were by the occasion and the College, Duntroon with vocalist Toni Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Governor General sent a message Maxfield. The catafalque party and Mark Binskin as well as Defence of congratulations on the conduct orderlies were provided by Australia’s Minister Ms Marise Payne. Also in the of the event as did many other Federation Guard. crowd was Keith Payne VC. dignitaries. DEDICATION SOUVENIR EDITION DEDICATION PROGRAM Master of Ceremonies HYMN - RECESSIONAL Major General Iain Spence CSC, RFD Vocalist – Musician Toni Maxfield The Band of the RoyalMilitary College PRAYER OF DEDICATION & REQUIEM Band Officer – Captain Richard Mason Chaplain Darren Jaensch Australia’s Federation Guard (Please stand for the Requiem) ARRIVAL ODE His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK Mr Robert Dick – National President MC [Retd] R eturned and Services League of Australia Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia [Please remain standing) and Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove LAST POST AND ROUSE (Please stand) Bugler: Musician Josh Young CATAFALQUE PARTY MOUNTS (Please remain standing) (Please stand) BENEDICTION WELCOME Chaplain Darren Jaensch Colonel John Haynes OAM [RL] (Please remain standing) President – National Boer War Memorial Association NATIONAL ANTHEM DEDICATION ADDRESS Vocalist - Musician Toni Maxfield His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK (Please remain standing) MC [Retd] CATAFALQUE PARTY DISMOUNTS Governor-General (Please remain standing) GIFTING ADDRESS DEPARTURE Mr Michael Crouch AO His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK Chairman – National Boer War Memorial Fund MC [Retd] REMEMBRANCE PRAYER Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia Chaplain Darren Jaensch and Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove Headquarters Forces Command (Please remain standing)
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Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 32 – October 2017 – Page 13 From our South Australian Correspondent Boer War Day in Adelaide Balaklava Honoured its t was bound to happen sooner or Boer War Veterans Ilater. Until 2017 we have always n Sunday 7 May 2017 the managed a fine winter morning for Otown and district of Balaklava the Commemorative Service. This recognised those local men who year we were all totally drenched and volunteered to serve in South Africa. to the credit of all present, not one More than 140 folk gathered in the soul left. Brollies were shared and town park, called the Triangle, to there was a communal cheerfulness and thankfulness for the long awaited rain. The Service commenced at 11am with the Rev. Gary Prince leading the way. Whilst our piper Mr Brett Tidswell played a lament Ms Frances Bedford M.P. Ms Rachel Sanderson M.P. representing our State representing the City of Adelaide. Government, laid the first wreath. Ms electorate. Mr Alastair MacCallum Rachel Sanderson M.P. of Balaklava, the town’s own piper, representing the City of The Horizon Christian School sent Adelaide followed with their Choir and Councillor Terry her tribute. Individual Williams read a message from the descendants laid their Hon. Dan Tehan, Federal Minister tributes. for Veterans Affairs. Mrs Monty Mr John Spencer gave Smith, S.A. Chairman of the NBWMA the Exaltation and gave a short address as did Mrs recited the Ode of Norma Schopp the President of the Remembrance. Further, Balaklava History Group & Museums. we always appreciate Mr Michael Norton, the Inaugural the presence of Major Chairman of the S.A NBWMA, Colin Smith of the unveiled the new plaque and Mrs Salvation Army who for Janice Noyce laid the first floral many years has been tribute. our Bugler. Guests were invited to a splendid The Rev. Prince’s afternoon tea in Urlwin Park and to address this year reminded us that honour the memory of their Boer view the military exhibition in the so many of our South Australian War soldiers and also Mr Stephen old church hall. Boer War veterans went on to lead Ralli of Werocata Station. Mr Ralli was All members of the S.A. NBWMA wonderful post war lives in many not a soldier, but it was he who was Committee attended this delightful and varied fields. Although exact appointed to secure and purchase event. numbers are difficult to determine, the horses to accompany the men to many enlisted again for World War1. South Africa. He agisted horses on Monty Smith Their contribution to our present his property until they were taken Chairman: NBWMA(SA) lives is yet to be fully acknowledged. to Port Adelaide where he supervised the loading, not Our thanks as always, to those who only of the horses but mules contribute to the Commemorative and assorted other livestock. Services including the Barossa Light Horse and their Nurse, Mr Visitors travelled from all Richard Oldham, the Newfoundland over S.A. to be present this dogs and their owners and our day. photographer Ms Bec’ Norton. Mr Geoff Brock M.P. for Monty Smith Frome attended and has Chairman: NBWMA(SA) always supported our Boer War events, especially in his
Page 14 – Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 32 – October 2017 Advance Notice: S.A. Descendants The Sir Harry Chauvel Memorial and Friends Day unday 5 ur Boer War SNovember is OMemorial sculptor the date for your Louis Laumen has diaries. We will a new project with gather again at relevance to the war. the Walkerville RSL He has been selected from 1pm for a 1.30pm start. to create a bronze equestrian statue of Sir $10.00 admission Harry Chauvel. will also include your Devonshire Chauvel undertook afternoon tea. two tours of duty This is the one during the Boer War. In day of the year World War 1 he led the for catching largest body of mounted men (including the up with fellow Australian Light Horse) in history and arguably descendants and the most successful. Taking them from the friends, sharing Suez canal to Aleppo in Syria, capturing over your research and 90000 prisoners and destroying three Turkish A girl who knows a Waler family stories; and, armies. In World War 2 he was again in uniform when she sees one! I suspect, the day as Inspector in Chief of the Volunteer Defence for re-calling all Corps. your Canberra experiences and photographs. 31 May, 2017 will be in our memories for a very long The intention is to have the statue erected in time. a prominent position near the St Kilda Road entrances to Victoria Barracks in Melbourne where he served for so long. The statue is to be unveiled in 2018, marking the close of the World War One commemorations. Further details: The Sir Harry Chauvel foundation at www.chauvelfoundation.com/
Quality Australian-made NBWMA tie in the colours of the Queen’s South Africa medal ribbon on a navy background
From NSW Ms Frances Bedford M.P. representing the SA State Government. $28 inc. Our Facebook page postage Dear All, We have begun a Facebook page called Boer War Association of South Australia. This is primarily as an experiment to test the waters of interest. The results will hopefully help us with the decision making for 2018. Do have a look when you can and comments gratefully received. Cheers, Monty Smith, Chairman: NBWMA(SA).
Monumentally Speaking Newsletter number 32 – October 2017 – Page 15 It has been a pleasure
have been involved with this I newsletter since number twenty-two, August 2014. The quality of reading is a credit to the many contributors. I merely assisted with the layouts having been charged with making it look nice. On my introduction to the NBWMA I quickly realised what a dreadful omission there was in our national memorials and what a challenging project the association had chosen to undertake. I feel both proud and humble to have been part of the process. Despite all my exposure to pictures and reports as the DR memorial progressed, I had no opportunity to see any physical evidence of the work. Be careful of the loose rocks but investigate this memorial which was I had to visit Canberra. walk up and touch a boot, a stirrup, like no other on Anzac Parade and to a saddlebag or a horse’s nose. It seek its meaning. If you haven’t seen the memorial, do doesn’t matter how long you stay, as I did. Feel the excitement of your The task of bringing the memorial you will be enthralled. first glimpse as you approach. Park into being has been mammoth. the car and stand with a lump in While my friend and I loitered to My contribution has been small. your throat as you take in the sheer take a few photographs several Nevertheless, it has been a pleasure. brilliance and purpose of the four people joined us. Each of them had Dave Randall horsemen before you. stopped for no other reason than to
Next Sydney Annual Commemoration Sunday 27 May 2018 ANZAC Memorial
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_Medallions. Memorial project to any asp#boer Boer War related event. or telephone 02 9908 1863
Monumentally Speaking is a periodic newsletter © National Boer War Memorial Association Correspondence and donations to Building 96, Victoria Barracks, Paddington, NSW 2021.