Vol 1. No.3 MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING December 2009 - Edition - Quarterly Newsletter of the National Boer War Memorial Association – Queensland

Qld Chairman’s Report • We are looking to launch the Design Competition in early 2010 Welcome to the third Queensland at Royal Military College [RMC] National Boer War Memorial Association Duntroon. newsletter. • The process has so far taken two Each newsletter is the committee’s way years, with contributions from of communicating to the members what National and State Boer War is happening. We now have 8 committee Committees. Given the recent members on the Queensland progress we are well positioned Committee. to conduct the competition during next year. Where are we nationally with the Memorial? State News

• The Site Envelope has been Onverwacht Hills Commemoration surveyed and drawn up. • As we did this year, we will be • There were meetings in commemorating the last major Canberra on 24th August with battle of the Boer War at various Commonwealth Sherwood Cemetery on the 4th Departments. Our National February 2010. This will be Committee finalised the Design followed by morning tea at Competition Brief (DCB) and Sherwood Indooroopilly RSL submitted it to the National Sub-Branch. Invitations will be Capital Authority in October for forwarded shortly, but all are approval. welcome. Please advise the RSL • The Project Manager for this on [07] 32786786. phase is Beacon Hill. ANZAC Day • Before final approval of the DCB • The committee applied to the we are waiting for the NCA to ANZAC March Committee for decide whether it wants to insert permission to march. It was its own message in the brief. We approved, but only with us as are also waiting for our historians part of the descendants’ group at to check and confirm the the rear of the march. accuracy of the history featured in the brief.

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 1

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009

• We declined, as did the NSW I would like to wish all of our members a Committee, because we felt the Merry Christmas and a Happy New significance of the Boer War Year. would be as lost if we were not marching in the historical order I hope to see you at our functions in of conflicts. 2010.

National Boer War Day • It has been decided to

commemorate the end of the Ron McElwaine Boer War with Commemoration Chairman Services at the end of May. We will be holding a Family Day at Fort Lytton on Sunday the 30th Merchandise May, followed by a traditional Badges Commemoration Ceremony in Produced by the NSW Branch, these ANZAC Square on the 31st May. lapel badges are available at $7.50 each • In addition to this we will [+ Postage].

endeavour to co-ordinate Polo Shirts services at memorials that were Available from the Queensland Branch constructed post Boer War and are embroidered black BWM polo shirts. prior to WW1. We will keep you Ranging in sizes from Small to 4XL, informed as planning polo shirts are $30 [short sleeved] or progresses. $36 [long sleeved] each [+ Postage].

Finances • Queensland has raised $20,000 towards the memorial as at our

last committee meeting.

Descendents Register • We have 110 descendants

registered from Queensland. There are many more people Stickers who would qualify, so please Stickers produced by NSW [left] $1.00 pass the word to friends and each and VIC [right] $2 each. acquaintances. We need the names on the register to prove to the Government the community support for the project.

- Seasons Greetings -

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 2

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009

Editorial along with your family, friends and neighbours to help us celebrate those We have a bumper newsletter for you men and women who left on ships from this time. It is our Christmas issue, and I Fort Lytton for the Boer War. The couldn’t resist a story with a touch of commemorative service being held on Christmas. Not just any story, but a very 31st May is to mark the end of the war. special Christmas story, written by a Indeed, we hope that this will become Boer War soldier, Pte Ben Spurway. an annual event. Many RSL’s around Queensland will also be conducting I had the pleasure of reading Benjamin’s services, and a list will be in our next diary about his Boer War days. His edition. Further, we are currently words touched me deeply, and his love planning a formal gathering to officially for his horse ‘Billy’ shines through. launch this project in September 2010. When you read the article about the Waler Horse by Grantely and Velda I would like to wish all our wonderful Chaplin, you will see the great tribute readers a Christmas to they have afforded Benjamin. remember. Be happy, healthy and safe, and I I would like to thank Mrs Lillis Farrell will talk with you all again Benjamin’s Grand daughter, who very in 2010. graciously allowed us to reproduce his story “Christmas on the Herbert River”.

Colleen O’Leary I hope you enjoy all the articles in this Editor edition. Sir Henry George Chauvel’s Website www.bwm.org.au story is a very interesting one – what a great Australian. VALE You will notice that our letterhead has John Stone and Edward Woodward changed. This is because we are now The Queensland BWMA Committee would an “Association”, and are separate from like to express our sympathies following the recent passing of a descendant, John Stone the Royal Australian Armoured Corps. on 31st October 2009.

2010 is not too far away and, for the We were also reminded of Lt Harry Harbord Boer War Memorial Project, it will be an Morant, by the recent death of the English exciting year. All the Committee’s actor Edward Woodward [16th November wide, have been working hard 2009] who played Lt Morant in the Bruce gathering donations, registering Beresford 1980 film “Breaker Morant”. descendants and generally getting the The small community of Tilpa on the word out to the general public about our western banks of the Darling River in NSW, Project. Not an easy task, let me assure once a busy river port, boasts the only Boer you. Mostly the media tend to shy away War Memorial that includes Harry ‘Breaker’ from us because it seems it all Morant. And it’s the only cemetery in Australia with no one actually buried in it happened so long ago. Well, next year th they had better sit up and take notice. [Source: Sunday Mail, 25 January 2009].

Mark the “dates” in your diaries that our

Chairman mentioned in his report. The

Family Day currently being organised at th Fort Lytton for 30 May should be a great day, especially for children. We hope you will all support us and come

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 3

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009

Historical Article in 1896 he obtained an appointment in the Queensland Permanent Military Forces as a Chauvel, Sir Henry George (Harry) Captain and Adjutant of the Moreton (1865 - 1945) Regiment. He went to England with the Date of Birth: 16 April 1865, Tabulam, NSW Queensland Jubilee Contingent in 1897, Date of Death: 4 March 1945, Melbourne, staying on for a year for courses and VIC attachments to regular infantry. Occupation/s: Army officer, Colonial Militia (Australia), Ex-service leader Chauvel served with distinction in the South African War as a Major in the 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, taking part in the relief of Kimberley, the advance to Pretoria and the battle of Diamond Hill. At the crossing of the Vet River he personally captured a troublesome machine-gun. For a time he led a mixed force, known as Chauvel's Mounted Infantry, in operations in eastern Transvaal. Returning to Australia in 1901 he took command of the 7th Australian Commonwealth Horse as Lieutenant- Colonel, but the war ended before he reached Durban. For his services in South Africa, Chauvel was appointed C.M.G. and

Sir Henry George (Harry) Chauvel mentioned in dispatches; he was also given [Source: Australian War Memorial; the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel. Artist: James Peter Quinn] In the next decade Chauvel established a CHAUVEL, Sir HENRY GEORGE (1865- reputation as a trainer, especially of officers; 1945), soldier, was born on 16 April 1865 at many who attended his staff rides were to Tabulam, , second son of distinguish themselves in . Apart Charles Henry Edward Chauvel, grazier and from a short period in cattle-breeder, and his wife Fanny Ada reorganizing the mounted troops, he Mary, née James. Chauvel was educated at remained in Queensland in staff Grammar School but had a final appointments until 1911. He was one of the year at Grammar before taking group, including (Sir) William Bridges and his place on his father's cattle-station on the (Sir) Brudenell White, which was close to Clarence River. He learned to manage a Major General Sir Edward Hutton, property, and became a most accomplished commander and organizer of the Australian horseman. Army in 1901-04. Chauvel was a strong supporter of the existing militia, and the His ambition was to follow family tradition organization from 1910 of the compulsory and join the British Army, there being little system around its officers and non- scope in the diminutive colonial forces, but commissioned officers owed much to his his father's losses from drought made advocacy. On 16 June 1906, at All Saints Sandhurst and the cavalry impossible. In Anglican Church, , he had married 1885, when the volunteer movement was Sibyl Campbell Keith Jopp; they had two reviving, C. H. E. Chauvel raised the Upper sons and two daughters. Clarence Light Horse in which his son was commissioned next year. In 1888 the family In 1911 Chauvel became Adjutant General moved to the Darling Downs in Queensland. and second member of the Military Board. was compelled to resign from He was at the centre of affairs during the the New South Wales forces, but he was critical period when the compulsory system commissioned in the Queensland Mounted was being set up and the Royal Military Infantry in 1890. He had been managing College was being developed at Duntroon. Canning Downs South for three years when This work was only partly completed when,

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 4

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009 in 1914, he was sent to London to be Mounted Division. He also took command of Australian representative on the Imperial all Australian forces in Egypt including the General Staff. By the time he and his family 1st Squadron, Australian Flying Corps; reached England, Europe was at war and however, for virtually all matters other than Australia was preparing an expeditionary operations, he was responsible to Birdwood force. Bridges chose Chauvel to command in France during the rest of the war. the 1st Light Horse Brigade; he was the only Australian regular, other than Bridges The new division was still settling down himself, to obtain a senior command in the when on 23 April, the Turks raided the original Australian Imperial Force. He served British outposts covering the northern usefully at the War Office until he went to approach to the Suez Canal. Chauvel Egypt in December. His visits to Salisbury immediately moved across the canal to Plain had convinced him that the camps restore the situation, beginning an advance would not be ready for the A.I.F.; his urgent which was to continue for two and a half representations to Sir George Reid, High years until the enemy was driven from Commissioner in London, influenced the Aleppo on the northern borders of Syria. His historic decision to disembark the force in division was the only desert-worthy force in Egypt. Sinai, so that when the second Turkish thrust for the canal was defeated at Romani When the Australian and New Zealand Army on 4-5 August 1916, Anzac Mounted Corps assaulted the Gallipoli Peninsula became the spearhead of Eastern Force in north of Gaba Tepe on 25 April 1915, the the advance across the desert into three light horse brigades remained in Palestine. At Romani, with only two of his Egypt. They were quickly called for as four brigades under command, Chauvel reinforcements for the infantry, but Chauvel outfought the Turks in blazing heat. He and the other brigadiers stubbornly insisted pursued them, but his division was too light that their brigades go as complete units, a force to complete their destruction. Under although dismounted. Chauvel landed on 12 Lieutenant-General Sir Philip Chetwode, May, taking command of the vital sector commanding the newly created Desert around Pope's, Quinn's and Courtney's Column, he destroyed Turkish garrisons at posts. He held these positions against all Rafa (December 1916) and Magdhaba Turkish attacks until he was sent to a quiet (January 1917), thus clearing the way for an sector in September. During that time, he assault on the main Turkish positions became known for his coolness and courage around Gaza and Beersheba. After especially in the critical fight of 29 May. Like Magdhaba he was appointed K.C.M.G. Lieutenant-General (Baron) Birdwood, the Corps Commander, he spent much of his In the on 26-27 March time walking his trenches and closely 1917, Sir Harry Chauvel took advantage of observing the state of his troops and their the fog to place his division across the positions. Turkish communications. He had forced his way into Gaza when he and the victorious After two short periods in command of the British infantry were ordered to withdraw New Zealand and Australian Division, owing to the approach of fresh Turkish Chauvel took command of the forces. In these operations, the newly on 6 November. He led it through the formed Imperial Mounted Division was evacuation in December and the placed under his command. Immediately subsequent expansion of the A.I.F. in Egypt. after the unsuccessful , 17-19 April 1917, Chetwode was In December he was promoted Major given command of Eastern Force and General and in January 1916 was gazetted Chauvel succeeded to the command of the C.B. Although Birdwood offered him , thus becoming the first command of one of the infantry divisions Australian to lead a corps. When General Sir soon to go to France, Chauvel elected to Edmund Allenby became commander-in- remain with the light horse as commander of chief in June 1917, he reorganized the army the new Australian and New Zealand into three corps, giving Chauvel the Desert

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 5

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009

Mounted Corps of three divisions. In August This operation was in no sense a raid and he became the first Australian to attain the deserves the title of second battle of the rank of Lieutenant-General. Jordan given it by the enemy commander-in- chief, General Liman von Sanders. If In Allenby's offensive from 31 October, Chauvel failed to seize and hold all his Chauvel attacked Beersheba from the east, objectives, the blow had important seizing the wells intact by a surprise charge psychological results in that it convinced the at sunset. The myth that he launched the 4th enemy that the next British offensive would Light Horse Brigade as a last desperate be launched in the same area and by the throw after a brusque order from Allenby same troops. When it came on 19 does not sustain examination; Allenby's September, the offensive began on the signal, which arose from misunderstanding Mediterranean flank, with his corps poised to an earlier message from Chauvel, was sent dash forward as soon as the infantry had cut after the light horse had entered the town. a path through the Turkish defences. The However, when Gaza was taken and the secret movement of three cavalry divisions Turkish centre rolled up, Chauvel was in no and their impedimenta from the Jordan position to administer the coup de grâce as Valley to the orchards near modern Tel Aviv four of his nine brigades had been detached was a triumph for Chauvel and his staff. and the remainder were almost exhausted. Nevertheless the , Within twenty-four hours, by hard riding, his supported by the 60th Division, drove the corps was positioned thirty to forty miles Turks up the Plain of Philistia beyond Jaffa behind the disorganized Turkish armies, and the Nahr el Auja, and Jerusalem was astride their communications and moving to entered by the infantry early in December. seize the few crossings of the Jordan. The For his part in these successes, Chauvel battle of Megiddo was one of the most was appointed K.C.B. completely successful operations of the war; only the Turkish army beyond the Jordan In the reorganization in the spring of 1918, a escaped the catastrophe and it was harried fourth division was added to Chauvel's across the desert by the Anzac Mounted corps, which now consisted of the Anzac Division and the Arabs. Giving the Turks no and Australian Mounted Divisions and the time to recover, Chauvel destroyed their 4th and 5th Cavalry Divisions. Allenby forces around Haifa and Lake Tiberias and attacked twice across the Jordan during this made plans for the pursuit to Damascus; period; the first operation was a powerful then having forced the passage of the raid but the second, under Chauvel, was Jordan north of Lake Tiberias on 28 designed to seize ground with a view to September, he drove the enemy across the advancing on the vital Turkish rail junction of Golan Heights and rode for Damascus with Deraa. Doubting the feasibility of this plan two divisions while his third entered Deraa with the limited forces and logistic support and drove the Turks northwards with Arab available, he made objections and obtained help. He entered Damascus on 1 October; most of the 60th Division for the assault. after a short pause he was ordered to march on Aleppo, 200 miles (322 km) to the north. Despite the rapid capture of Es Salt on 30 April, the battle swung against him. The Aleppo fell to an Arab force on 25 October. Turks repeatedly repulsed the attacks of the There had been little fighting during the 60th Division and drove in his left flank, advance; this was fortunate, for Chauvel's threatening to cut off his brigades around Es tired divisions were melting away, ravaged Salt. Moreover, the promised aid from the by malaria and typhus. Six days later the Arabs did not materialize. As the Turks were war in the Near East came to an end. In the being strongly reinforced, on 3 May he five weeks since the opening of the decided to withdraw, with Allenby's gruff offensive, the divisions of the Desert approval. Mounted Corps had advanced from 300 to 500 miles (483 to 804 km), taking over

78,000 prisoners and great quantities of booty. Their battle casualties were only

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 6

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009 about 650. Many reasons may be adduced funds to rearm the coast defences or even for this overwhelming success but not the to maintain the army's vehicles and least was Chauvel's planning of his equipment. Nevertheless, he pressed for successive thrusts, his co-ordination of his better pay and conditions for the exiguous widely spread forces, and the special care permanent force on which the army that he gave to the logistical basis of all his depended. In particular, Chauvel sought to operations. Although the headquarters of his keep a close relationship with the British polyglot corps was British, he had appointed Army, by sending officers to the staff to key administrative positions Australian colleges and to the Imperial Defence officers of outstanding capacity, such as College and on exchange duty in various Colonel R. M. Downes and Lieutenant- British headquarters. Insistence on this Colonel William Stansfield. In 1919 he was policy prepared the more senior officers of appointed G.C.M.G.; he was also awarded the Australian Staffs Corps for their the French Croix de Guerre, the Order of the outstanding part in World War II. Nile (twice) and was mentioned in dispatches ten times. It was not until 1925-29 that the army's first few motor vehicles and tanks began to Returning to Australia in September 1919, arrive from England. Chauvel was well Chauvel was appointed Inspector General aware that this was only a gesture; the army and made a member of the Council of remained what it was, a force of 1918 Defence. He was Chairman of the Senior vintage in which the Officer Corps struggled Officer's Committee which, in February to keep up with British developments. 1920, advised the government on the Nevertheless, the foundations were laid, as strength, organization and equipment of the in army-air force co-operation exercises post-war army. But disarmament and beginning in 1925, Chauvel's own exercise economy were in the air and the for senior officers the same year, and the government, although at first willing to establishment in 1926 of the Defence approve the sizeable force recommended, Committee of which he was chairman until opted for a token force of 38,000 with six 1930. days of camp training a year. Further economies followed. In his role as Inspector General, Chauvel frequently travelled to every State to inspect In these straitened circumstances Chauvel brigades in camp and watch their training. succeeded White as Chief of the General He preferred this to the paperwork and Staff in June 1923. At the government's committees which beset him as Chief of the request he continued to act as Inspector General Staff. Like all true commanders, he General. Chauvel's reports of 1921-30 are drew strength and refreshment from contact not only a prime source of Australian military with troops, and his long term as Inspector history but also his own testament. In plain, General gave him an unrivalled knowledge unambiguous terms he warned in report of the service. When James Scullin became after report of the deterioration in Australia's Prime Minister in October 1929, one of his strategic position owing to the relative first acts was to suspend compulsory decline of British sea power; he cast doubt training. Chauvel had not been consulted on the efficacy of Singapore as the first line but was required to provide a plan for a of defence and he argued that the army smaller, voluntary force. He at once put his must be strong enough to hold out until help authority and influence behind the arrived. He also made it clear that the organization of the new militia which, in spite existing skeleton force of partly trained men of the economic crisis, enlisted 25,000 was unfit to fight. volunteers and 5000 senior cadets in less than six months. In 1924 Chauvel persuaded the government to increase the duration of annual camps In November 1929 Chauvel was promoted from six to eight days and to extend the General, the first Australian to attain this period of service for trainees from two to rank. His retirement next April was almost a three years, but he was unable to obtain national occasion; large public dinners were

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 7

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009 held in his honour in Melbourne and Sydney. when Allenby tried to interfere with the A.I.F. But the only official recognition of his service command, and by the New Zealanders was a ministerial direction for the provision when there was an attempt to make Anzac of an army horse for his daily ride in the Mounted wholly Australian. He has been Melbourne Domain, a privilege he valued criticized for lack of resolution at Rafa and immensely. Magdhaba but this was probably an unwillingness to accept more casualties for Retirement was for Chauvel a fruitful a prize he did not value; there was no experience; directorships in three important question of his resolution at Quinn's Post, or companies gave him new interests and he Romani or Beersheba. Besides, he knew now had time for ex-servicemen's causes. that if Anzac Mounted were to suffer a He was for many years chairman of the disaster, the Desert Column would be trustees of the Australian and Victorian war crippled. memorials, a senior patron of Melbourne Legacy, and active in the work of the Chauvel seemed shy and reserved, in Australian Red Cross and the Young Men's Birdwood's phrase 'very retiring', so that Christian Association. On the eve of Anzac some found him aloof. In reality he was a Day 1935, one newspaper wrote that warm, uncomplicated man, with a keen Chauvel 'has come by his quiet work in the sense of humour. He rarely sent written interests of returned men to be regarded as orders of the day but he made a point of their peace time leader'. Such work was but visiting and addressing troops who had done one manifestation of the religious faith on well or had suffered heavy casualties. which his life had been built and which was Because he understood the British and recognized by his Church when he was knew how dependent the small Australian made a lay canon of St Paul's Cathedral, and New Zealand forces were, his policy Melbourne, in 1930. was to co-operate rather than confront. Because Chauvel was relatively junior and In 1937 Chauvel led the Australian Services responsible to Birdwood in France, tact and Contingent at the coronation of King George diplomacy were required. His successes in VI. He represented the Returned Sailors' the field and his obvious integrity and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia strengthened his position, but some senior on the committee which drew up plans for officers seem to have resented a mere reserve and garrison forces early in 1939. 'colonial' having the best command in the When the Volunteer Defence Corps was set Egyptian Expeditionary Force. up in June 1940, Chauvel became its Inspector-in-Chief. At 75 he was in uniform His long period of office at the head of the again and on the move around the country. army showed Chauvel at his best. In an When White, who had been recalled to be adverse political and economic environment Chief of the General Staff, was killed in he knew that, as he could neither train nor 1940, it was to Chauvel that the Prime equip the army for war, he must ensure the Minister, (Sir) Robert Menzies, turned for survival and efficiency of the officer corps. advice on a successor. In 1944 his health Nor could governments pretend that they began to fail and he died in Melbourne on 4 had not been warned. Lieutenant-General March 1945, survived by his wife and Sir Sydney Rowell summed up: 'Chauvel children. He was cremated after a state was the sheet anchor of the Army in this funeral. period … It says a great deal for the esteem in which he was held and for his wisdom and As a soldier, Chauvel's courage and integrity that he held the Army together at a calmness were matched by his humanity time when it was always on the rundown which was extended to the enemy as well as and was, in 1929-31, approaching the his own men. He was always well forward in critical point where it would have collapsed battle; in the field he lived simply, sleeping in completely, had it not been for Chauvel's his greatcoat on the sand when his force work and influence'. was on the move. Loyalty was one of his chief characteristics: he stood by Birdwood

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 8

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009

Portraits are in the Australian War Memorial, Feature Article the Naval and Military Club, Melbourne, and the Imperial War Museum, London. A fine WALERS – AUSTRALIA’S OWN portrait by George Lambert is in the WAR HORSE possession of the family. There is a bronze tablet to Chauvel's memory in St Paul's Authors: Grantley & Velda Chaplin Cathedral, Melbourne, his sword is in Christ Church, South Yarra, and there is a The Australian Waler horse is a mixed breed memorial window in the chapel of R.M.C., that was developed from numerous horse Duntroon. His two sons were graduates of breeds brought into the country with R.M.C. and served with the Indian Army; his European settlement firstly from South daughter Elyne Mitchell became a well- Africa and then from England. They became known writer. a vital component in the survival and development of the Australian colonies Select Bibliography becoming the all-purpose horse used by A. J. Hill, Chauvel of the Light Horse (Melb, settlers, the militia, stage coaches, bush 1978); rangers, explorers and the like. So they A. J. Hill, 'Chauvel, Sir Henry George (Harry) have iconic status as our colonial horses. (1865 - 1945)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 7, Melbourne University Ironically, their status as a superb war horse Press, 1979, pp 624-628. was earned in the first place from being exported in large numbers to the British Army in India which commenced in the 1830s. This was where they were first given the name “Waler”, the horse from the colony of New South Wales. Their hardy and versatile characteristics were ideal in the Indian environment and by1864, they were alleged to be the finest cavalry horse in the

world with their courage and stamina unsurpassed.

Their status as an iconic Australian War Horse has come from their use as remounts in three major conflicts: the troopers horse in the Boer war; the mount in WWI; and use by the North Australian Observer Unit in WWII.

There were four “types” of Waler remounts:

1. Light – officers mounts with more Thoroughbred influence 2. Medium – the trooper’s mount, stockier, a mix of Thoroughbred, pony and draft 3. Heavy – more draft needed to pull the field ambulance, artillery and Registered Descendant: None listed at carry the ammunition this time from the Chauvel family. 4. Pony - a sporting horse used for scouting and games

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 9

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009

The six separate self-governing Australian looking after them, but they pretended they colonies sent their own contingents to serve did not understand and we rode on. I said to in the Boer War which was the first war in Tancard, listen don’t look back! Did you which the Commonwealth of Australia notice anything funny? How do you mean fought. Australian troops served mostly as Ben? Well what the devil ,does two men "mounted rifles". The official enlistment want, looking after that flock. One would be numbers in all official Australian contingents plenty, and did you see the quick looks, he totalled 16,463 which equated roughly to two gave down into that little gully? I’ll bet he horses per soldier. had a horse down in that gully. We will soon know when we get behind this kopje. We will sneak back and take a look see. If they are spies, one will get away quickly. By cripes, you might be right Ben. Sure enough we saw one of them, after watching awhile, make towards that little gully. You have the best horse Ben, you and Alex go after that chap in the gully. Victor and I will nab this cove with the goats. Get that black sod Ben, but don’t shoot if you can help it. We don’t know where the larger is. Away we went, I gave my horse a slap with the loose end of the reins as a reminder I wanted speed, he Men from the 2nd South Australian (Mounted responded quickly and I soon got a glimpse Rifles) Contingent, who fought in the Boer War. of my man. Third from left is Trooper Harry "The Breaker" Morant. South Africa, c. 1900. He was too far ahead, for my liking, so I gave him a little dig with the spurs, Gee While anything dubbed as an icon tends to Whiz the wind just whistled past my ears attract a range of romantic notions in today’s then, and the gap soon narrowed. The Kaffir population, there was little romance in these had a game little horse but his condition was wars either for man and horse. Australian poor, and I soon wore him down. Alex was horses sent to South Africa for our troopers pounding after me, about a hundred yards were bought by the government for £10-14 back. I shouted at the Kaffir to stop or I will and compared to the English cavalry horse; shoot. He could understand alright and they were recorded as looking light and started pulling up.……………I told him he weedy and enjoyed no great admiration from was my prisoner and if he tried to get away some English authorities. However, light or we would shoot him and he was so scared sturdy, well-bred or under-bred, handsome when Alex pointed a rifle at him. With him or plain, many of the horses in the Boer War between us we rode back to find Tancard. died through mismanagement, disease/illness and starvation as well as This extract from an insightful easy to read from battle wounds. account of the Boer war through the eyes of a young Brisbane man tells us much about Despite the horrible conditions, our the calibre of the Australian contingent and courageous “wild colonial boys” as they their beloved horses. Billy was the name of were referred to and their Australian Waler, Ben’s horse and they came together at the proved they could ride and shoot, navigate remount depot in Brisbane - a horse nobody the South African bush, either alone or with else wanted because he bucked everybody others, equal to their enemy the Boers. off, but he never bucked with Ben. They rode to war together, faced many a battle A wonderful account of this comes from the and scouting venture until Ben’s beloved memoirs of Boer War Veteran named Billy (the best horse ever) was hit by Benjamin Spurway No61 B Company 1899 shrapnel and Ben had to shoot him after to 1901: We came across a sizeable flock of which Ben unashamedly tells how he cried goats and sheep with two Kaffir herders and cried. Ben goes on to tell how he then

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 10

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009 rode other good Aussie horses into battle The Waler horse has a noble colonial and but never one could take the place of Billy. war history. It is now emerging with an We on our Waler Horse Stud have just exciting future with the prospect of once named a new filly foal ‘Talara Alpha Sunray’ again becoming an all-purpose horse in [pictured below] in memory of Ben as she contemporary Australia, still retaining the too shows great courage and runs like the four types. We now see them competing wind. successfully against other breeds in various equestrian competitions such as endurance, dressage, eventing, stock work, pleasure, pony club, hacking, polocrosse and harness. The Waler stallion pictured, ‘TA Guan Wei’ pictured is excelling in dressage in 2009.

While most people are aware that no Walers (except one) came back from WWI, the same applied to the 35,000 Walers that were sent to the Boer war. None came back. The WHSA has commissioned a

commemorative medallion to honour the The iconic Waler horse lost much if its loyal and courageous service by Waler usefulness after the end of WWII due to the horses to Australians in three wars. The rapid adoption of mechanization, so much standard medallion is a cupro-nickel proof- so that the Waler horses were in real danger like medallion in crown-size (38.35mm of dying out. But fortunately, a small group diameter), packaged in a numbered story- of interested persons got together in the mid card. It is also available either as a bronze 1980s to search for genuine old bloodlines or pure silver medallion. that had bred the Australian bush horse or

Waler, fortunately they were located on a number of former remount breeding herds on stations in central Australia and Western Australia. Numbers were selected as Foundation stock for the new Waler Horse Society of Australia (WHSA),a society formed along with a Register and Studbook to establish the Waler horse as a breed no longer just a type. Now, more than 20 years down the track, there are WHSA members and studs all around the country breeding Only horses and their progeny derived from and registering Waler horses, thereby the old bloodlines of isolated herds with no ensuring a sustainable future for this new bloodlines of horses brought to important element of our Australian heritage. Australia since 1945 where only the best survived, can be registered with the WHSA The horses continue to exhibit the as Walers. The genuine registered Waler of characteristics and attributes that they today can be recognized by its distinctive became famous for which include versatility, breed brand – a sloping cross on the strong bone, excellent temperament, a good nearside shoulder representing our strong riding horse. Southern Cross.

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 11

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009

The society and its members are proud This hatred is justified, when you think of guardians of the Waler working to preserve how they have been treated by white man. and promote this iconic horse. Poor unfortunate wretches, torn away from their Island homes from wives and children, Enquiries are welcome and more and all they loved and cared for, crammed information can be obtained from the down below in Junks, or boats never society’s Website at www.walerhorse.com intended for human cargo. There was not even room enough for them to stand; they had to sit until they got here, all this under the most deplorable conditions, no sanitary arrangements. Plenty of course never reached here. Can you blame them for their A Story from the Past hatred, or even blame them.

CHRISTMAS ON HERBERT RIVER So I tell you this, because if you showed any fear, and no white man around, they would By Benjamin Spurway, a Boer War soldier. kill you, cut you up in pieces, and throw you into the river, where crocodiles and fish, The Christmas of 1897, found me at Halifax would soon dispose of you. All traces of on the Herbert River in Queensland. I was in what happened would be effectually the Mounted Police and stationed there, obliterated. I would know what happened, under Sgt. Richard Fadden, the father of but could do nothing about it. All of a sudden Sir Arthur Fadden M.L.A. the Sergeant jumped to his feet, his eyes fixed on a dust cloud up the Ingham Road Being Christmas Day, we only took an toward Macknade Crossing. Ben! Unless occasional stroll down the main street, and that is two men, racing one another to given everyone as much latitude as we Robinson’s Pub, for drinks, I think it spells could, some of the Italians got the notion, trouble. they owned Halifax, and we had to teach them, to have other notions. I took a long steady look, No Sergeant, there is only one horse. You’re right. Placing two We had enjoyed our Christmas dinner, fingers to his mouth, he gave 3 sharp prepared by the Sergeants wife, and were whistles, that will bring my private horse, up enjoying our pipes on the verandah. The to the gate, go down and let him in and you Sergeants said to me, you have never had had better put the saddle and bridle on, just much experience with Kanakas have you in case the way that chap is covering Ben? On my reply in the negative, he said ground. I believe its trouble. Well listen to me, and remember what I say. Pretty soon his horse at full stretch, we saw Sometimes you may have to go, amongst a him head for the Police Station, so the gang of 40 or more, all with cane knives in Sergeant opened the gate and flung it wide. their hands, to arrest one of them. If such an It turned out to be a lad, about 12 years old. occasion arises and it often does, whatever Before he pulled quite to a halt, he said, Oh you do don’t show the slightest trace of fear, Sergeant, Please Sergeant! Come quickly, even if you are frightened, it would be fatal. up to our place, on Ripple Creek. A Kanaka is drunk, and he has a tomahawk and bow If a Kanaka is in your way, do not walk and arrows, and he----- here the poor little around him, but kick him out of your way. It fellow, with the strain and tension of it all may sound brutal and certainly it is, but any broke down and cried and became other attitude would perhaps be your end. incoherent. Remember they hate us with a deadly hatred, and would distrust any other form of Good old Dick Fadden walks up, puts one treatment. hand on his knee, the other round his shoulders, and says to him, ever so gentle, after giving him a little while to cry. Now son

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 12

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009 you try and tell me and my mate, just what up as I ran, I think, maybe it saved my life. I the trouble is so we can help you, because soon overhauled him, he turned with the that is just what we want to do. After a few tomahawk ready to throw, and these fellows racking sobs he gasped out Come to don’t miss. For the first time, I wanted my Blackmans Farm on Ripple Creek, My father revolver, and realised how foolish I was. I is away. A drunken Kanaka is trying to get in watched his eyes very carefully; something and kill my mother and little sister and urged me to hit him on the wrist or arm that brother. She told me to sneak out the back, held the tomahawk, Like lightning I did so, and come to you, Oh quick Sergeant. Alright he dropped the tomahawk, and stooped son! quickly for its recovery, but I was quicker, and closed with him. I do not know how it Then turning to me, he gave his orders like a happened but we straightened up, with both Sergeant of Police should give them. Ben my arms, inside his. When he began to put this is up to you, I cannot leave the Station on the pressure, I knew I was in a tough on Christmas Day. Take my horse, get my spot. I was taller then he but like most South revolver, it is in the office. It is trigger easy, Sea Islanders, perfect specimens of don’t forget,. Don’t use it unless you have to. muscular development. Anyway you go Ben and good luck. We started off with a great rush, but I very As he increased the pressure, I thought all soon pulled my horse back, into a fast my ribs would break, and I fancied I could canter. I was horseman enough to know, taste blood in my mouth. Something had to that if you want a horse, to give you his best; be done quickly, with a muttered prayer for don’t rush him off his feet at the start, when Divine help; I put my heel behind his, and he is cold, let him get warmed up first, and tripped him and fell on him. The fall broke then you can put on the pace. The boy’s his hold, quickly I wrenched my right arm horse was tiring but he told me, he would free, and placing my palm, firmly against his get a change at Macknade. When we chin, I pushed his head back as far as I reached the crossing, we splashed into the could. I got the other arm out, and quickly river, and a glance showed us it was starting got a firm grip on his throat. I put all the to come down in flood. The results of heavy strength I had, into a fierce squeeze, he tore rains on the Atherton Tablelands, no doubt. at my arms with his hands in desperation, but I set my teeth and hung of with the Once over the crossing, and the boy across tenacity of a bulldog. Presently I felt him a fresh horse we made the pace a cracker, grow limp, and kneeling by him, put on the and we soon cut down the distance, handcuffs. As I slowly stood up and gazed between Macknade and Ripple Creek. As around, I heard the patter of running feet, we neared the house, I motioned the boy to and my boyish mate came running, he and ride behind me and in this manner rode into his mother and been horrified spectators of the yard. Sure enough there was a burley the fight. Kanaka, who evidently had gone away after more grog. When I left Halifax, I had done a The boy approached with wide eyes, but a very foolish thing, in my haste I had stuck pleased face, the mother with one fearful the revolver in my saddle bag, instead of look ran for the house. I gasped out water to fastening it on my body, it just such foolish the boy, he was off like a rocket, back he things, that my cost a man his life. came again with a billy of water. I took a I jumped off my horse, and made a rush for swig, tried to force some down my prisoner’s him. He had seen me, and dropped his bow throat, and finished up, pouring the rest over and arrows, ran around the side of the his face. He trembled all over, then came house and down a road, between to large around, with more water. We both had fields of sugar cane. Why he did not dive enough strength to stagger towards the into the cane I will never understand. house, this wonderful woman, met me at the verandah, with a cup of tea and scones. I Someone, God bless them, cut a stout stick told her that while I was in such close of Badilla cane, trimmed it and stuck it in the embrace, with any prisoner I was in grave ground, by the side of the road. I grabbed it danger, of being suffocated, with the fumes

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 13

MONUMENTALLY SPEAKING Vol 1. No.3 - Queensland Edition - December 2009 of rum and mentholated spirits from his my life. Not so much of the flood, I knew I breath. In that case, he was not to blame so had one of the best horse swimmers in the much, but some of these Chinese country, but I kept thinking of the crocodile storekeepers. Who are the curse of skin 17feet 5 inches long, nailed up in Jack Queensland. Would she give him some tea Williamsons billiard saloon, that he had shot and something to eat? Of course Constable, at this same crossing. I somehow think my however did you overcome that great horse had similar ideas for he would snort powerful brute? Why you are only a boy and and plunge, every time something touched I do nothing but wring my hands and pray for him, however much to my relief we all you and us as all. landed on the other side alright. My prisoner was a very humble boy now, I never put Ah, I know why I was the victor, since I have handcuffs or a rope on him again, and he had time to take a good look at him, it does walked along as if quite contented. seem impossible. Yes Mrs Blackman I am only a boy of 19 and a half. I did not think On the way he gave me the location of the that was possible, I heard they must be 21 Chinese storekeeper, who had sold him the before they could join. Yes; that is so, but I grog. Kanakas those days were bought to was vouched for by Colonel Burns of the Queensland from the Islands, signed on for New South Wales Lancers, of whom I was periods of 3 to 5 years to the C.S.R. and one. Philp Premier of Queensland was his others for 2/6 pence per week and keep. I partner, so they overlooked that point. Now handed over my prisoner to the Sergeant, if you please can I get about 15 feet of slight and gave my report. rope from you, without reply, she seized a knife and cut off sufficient for my purpose. I His only comment was, well done Ben, well tied one end to the handcuffs, took a turn done but you were lucky, and I’ll get that round his neck, taking the loose end in my rotten china man, if it is the last thing I do, hand, and waited for the boy to bring my and he did, and he was fined 50 pound. horse. As the day draws to a close, on Christmas As I shook hands with her and I shall never Day 1877, so does this account of a truthful forget, the deep earnest look of gratitude incident. she gave me, and he quite rush inside. I kissed the five little wide eyed youngsters Benjamin Spurway and slipped into the saddle. When I was about 100 yards away, I looked back once, Constable E61 they were all standing on the verandah. The little ones clinging to her, the biggest boy The Gillette Razor Co. checked this story, standing a little apart, all of them waving me with the Police Records and Mrs Blackman. good bye. Strange to say I never saw any on It was found to be correct on all essential them again except the eldest boy but many points and I was well paid by them. They times in my mind, I have seen that picture. It dramatised it and it was put over the air. remains one of the most pleasant of my life. This story was written about 1947.

I was worried about the river, and when I arrived on the bank, I was in a grave quandary for the river was nearly a banker. Logs and debris were coming down, and I was afraid. After thinking awhile, I took the rope off the Kanaka, also the handcuffs. I took out the revolver, and showed him and said s’pose you dive I shoot, he could speak English and said, me good boy now boss, me go alright. We pushed off, and although in my career, I have in many tight spots, I Benjamin Spurway JP don’t think I have ever been so frightened in

Correspondence & Donations to: Secretary, P.O. Box 165, Fortitude Valley Q 4006 Page 14