The ANGLO-BOER WAR 1899-1902
New
Zealand's Participation in the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902.
Database of all
those who served is based on the AJHR Embarkation Rolls. Try searching under Timaru, Waimate, Levels, Mackenzie etc. Check
all derivatives. The
AJHR
1900-02, H6 contains the
nominal and casualty rolls for the ten contingents. Available in the
New Zealand Room, Christchurch City Library and other main libraries.
New Zealand's soldiers in the Boer War are listed by contingent (Nominal Rolls)
in the AJHR for
1900,1901,1902; H series, H6, H6A,H6B which give: name, address, occupation and
next-o
The Auckland War Museum
Database
ADAMS, John, Private
Regimental # 7601 9th NZ Contingent
Labourer, Fairlie, Canterbury. Father William Adams, Archdale, Bealiby, Vic.
Friend: John Trotter , Fairlie. Ref: AJHR (NZ): H6A '02 8
BARR, David Masterton
Regimental # 4385 Private 7th NZ Contingent
Farmhand, Timaru. Father Mr Robert L. Barr, Arnold's Bridge, Vic. Friend Mrs
Bell, Railway Restaurant, Timaru. Ref: AJHR (NZ): H6A '01 10
DAVIDSON, Alfred James, Private
Regimental # 3831 6th NZ Contingent
Station-hand, Fairlie. Father Mr R. B. Davidson, Hillgrove, NSW. Ref: AJHR
(NZ): H6 '01 14
HARRISON. On January 24th (killed in action at Spionkop), William Derby Harrison. Second son of Joseph Harrison, Timaru, aged 27 years. Deeply regretted. Timaru Herald March, 1900
O'FARRELL, Vincent W
Regimental # 607 Sergeant 3rd NZ Contingent
Farmer, Waimate next of kin Mr E. O'Farrell, Perth, WA. Visiting Perth relations
on way to post in Pretoria after marriage in Melbourne.
Of the members of the Third Contingent who at some time have been connected about Waimate, V.W. O'Farrell goes as sergeant; C.A. Wilson, being an orderly officer, goes as sergeant. C.Y. Ward as farrier, and H. Munro, J. Cooper and T. Kelcher as troopers. Waimate Advertiser 20 Feb, 1900.
ROSS, George
Regimental Number 374, Private, NSW Imperial Bushmen
'B' Coy.: contractor born ?1873 Timaru NZ, invalided Queen's S. Africa Medal & 1
(Rhod.)
SMITH. At Reitfontein, South Africa, on December
2nd, 2nd NZ Contingent, 4 Coy, Farrier-Sergeant Robert Edward. Smith, eldest son
of J.H. and Mary Smith, 28 Stafford Street, Timaru, aged 23 years and 3 months.
Killed in action. 8 Dec. 1900 Timaru Herald
Buried - Diamond Hill Garden of Remembrance, South Africa.
Evening Post, 7 December 1900, Page 6
TIMARU, This Day. The Mayor has received a cablegram from Captain Crawshaw
stating that Farrier-Sergeant R. E. Smith, of Timaru, who was wounded at
Reitfontein, has died from his injuries.
Timaru Herald December 8th 1900 Death of
Trooper Robert Edward Smith. No. 418.
His Worship the mayor yesterday received the following cable from Captain
Crawshaw "Pretoria, December 6th. Smith dead. Break news to parents, and express
Contingent's sympathy. Brown, Goldstone and self doing well." Flags flown at
half-mast.
WEBSTER, James
Regimental # 3680 Sergeant Major, 2nd NSW Mounted Rifles
Ag. Regt. Sergeant Major Left Wing 4.5.01, Mentioned in Despatches & Queen
Alexandra's Pipes for 'general good and consistent work'. Soldier born Temuka,
NZ. Queen's S. Africa Medal King's S. Africa Medal, 1NSWMR.
The AJHR lists are not complete, and other names can be added from the Medal
Rolls (for QSA and KSA): including about 63 from 7th NZ Contingent and 11
recruited into the Hotchkiss Battery, 2nd NZ Contingent in South Africa. Most
were enrolled in NZ, but some enlisted in South Africa. Deaths by contingent are
listed in: AJHR H6A, 1903 (15 pages) gives NoK, particulars of death and usually
locality of grave, although bodies in isolated graves were reburied in 7
cemeteries by late 1905. It includes 6 names not in the Nominal Rolls. There
were also brief interim death lists in AJHR 1900 H6N (to 12 Sept 1900, no
date/place) and H6E 1901 (to 3 Oct 1901, gives date/place). Other printed lists
(Rolls) of the NZ Contingents are in: (1) Military Pensions (Amendment) Acts
1901 No 53, 1902 No 59, 1903 No 31 (Appendixes), and (2) Roll of Honour 1840 to
1902, 'Defenders of the Empire Resident in NZ' (Ranfurly Roll) compiled by the
Earl of Ranfurly, printed in 1902 by The NZ Times: pages 50-94.
National Monuments Council of
South Africa Anglo-South African War dead. Details are sparse.
Watt, Steve. IN MEMORIAM: Roll of Honour, Imperial Forces: Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1902.
Pietermaritzburg: University of Natal Press, 2000. 479 p. ISBN: 0-86980-968-7 Provides the
surname, initials, rank, regiment no. (in NZ's case contingent), cause of death,
place of death, date, interred, monument remarks and reference of each individual of the Imperial Forces who died during the South African
War1899-1902, and those who died during the period of occupation up to 1913
and where they are buried, now this is not just New Zealand but the whole
British Empire. The remarks and reference are sparse. The listing covers over
25,000 people who died and details. Includes those who died on Somes Island in
Wellington harbour of pneumonia and other causes.
There were 232 deaths in the ten New Zealand Contingents. The GRO list has all but 9 of the 185 who died in South Africa, plus
one who died in Beira, Portugese East Africa and one who was seriously injured but survived (L. A. Ditely).
British forces (including Colonial forces) deaths in the South African War are listed in:
The English GRO (General Registry Office) Overseas or "ancillary" death registration fiches F533-F539:
"Natal and South African Field Force Deaths 1899-1902 (Regular and Irregular Forces)".
It is possible to order an English death certificate. The index fiche has surname, initials & regiment/unit.
The certificate would probably just have that plus the date of death, age and place
(i.e. it would not have the birthplace or full name). There is a set in the National Library, Wellington and in the Auckland Public Library.
Timaru's South African War Memorial
In a small park formed by the intersections of King St., Memorial Ave. and Catherine St., Timaru there is a statue of a soldier on a pedestal. On the faces of the pedestal are polished granite tablets.
The Front Tablet reads:
This memorial is erected by the
inhabitants of Timaru and District to
the memory of those of their Soldier Sons who died in action or from
wounds or disease during the Boer War 1899 - 1902
--
They deserve well of their country.
The Tablet to the soldier's left reads:
Corporal W Byrne I NZ Contingent Corporal D Fogarty X NZ Contingent Lance Corporal W Roddick VII NZ Contingent Trooper A H McKay V NZ Contingent Trooper D McKay V NZ Contingent Trooper T L Scott III NZ Contingent Trooper C E Smith III NZ Contingent Trooper W Stevenson VII NZ Contingent Trooper E Ward IX NZ Contingent Trooper A J Whitney VII NZ Contingent Trooper R G Coker Kitchener's Scouts Private W D Harrison Imperial Light Infantry Trooper H O Hagan S.A. Light Horse Major A G MahanThe Tablet to the soldier's Right reads:
Sergt. F A Baron S.A. Light Horse Sergt. F Karton Light Horse Farrier Sert. R E Smith II NZ Contingent Trooper E R Barrar V NZ Contingent Trooper F Bourn II NZ Contingent Trooper J Butler III NZ Contingent Trooper D Clarke V NZ Contingent Trooper J Counihan VII NZ Contingent Trooper T M Freeman II NZ Contingent Trooper J Lund X NZ Contingent Trooper W Mathews VI NZ Contingent Trooper C D Merry VI NZ Contingent Trooper W N Moffatt III NZ Contingent Trooper W G Monahan VII NZ ContingentThe Rear Tablet reads:
This tablet bears the names of the men who served in South Africa &
Fell in the Great War 1914-1918.Lieut. Col. C E Thomas Main Body NZEF Capt. L O'Callaghan XVIII NZEF Sergt. W Rutherford Main Body NZEF Sergt. H Collins III NZEF Corporal P Campbell VII NZEF Gunner W Andrews IX NZEF Private W A Wall Main Body NZEF Private C F N Minifie XLI NZEF Private J L Graham XII NZEF Private W Gosling IX NZEF Trooper D A J Ferguson VII NZEF Corporal C W Saunders II NZEF
==============================
Taranaki Herald, 11 January 1901, Page 1
New Zealand's Roll of Honour.
KILLED IN ACTION.
FIRST CONTINGENT - Sergeant Byrne, Timaru
SECOND CONTINGENT - Farrier-Sergt. R. E. Smith, Timaru
DIED
SECOND CONTINGENT - Trooper Bourn, Timaru
THIRD CONTINGENT - Trooper Moffatt, Timaru
WOUNDED.
SECOND CONTINGENT -
Corporal Crawshaw, Timaru
Lieutenant Findlay, Temuka
Trooper Knubley, Timaru
Trooper J. Goldstone, Waimate
Evening Post, 6 October 1902, Page 5
NEW ZEALAND'S DEATH - ROLL. WHERE AND HOW THE MEN DIED.
The staff of the Defence Department has just completed a roll of historical
value, giving details of the casualties suffered by the ten contingents sent to
South Africa by New Zealand. Hitherto there has been no reliable list available
giving details of the deaths of New Zealanders, but in the list furnished us by
the courtesy of Lieut.-Colonel Chaytor, every detail is furnished, including the
deaths of the returned troopers on Somes Island The following table shows the
casualties of each contingent : —
The following list contains the roll of officers, non-commissioned officers, and
men of each contingent who lost their lives in South Africa, or who died since
their return to New Zealand :
FIRST CONTINGENT
SECOND CONTINGENT
Farrier sergt. R. E. Smith, died from wounds received in action at Reitfontein
(2.12.00)
THIRD CONTINGENT
Trooper T. L. Scott, died of gangrene at Pretoria (0.6 00)
Trooper C. E. Smith, died enteric fever at Pretoria (7.9.00)
FOURTH CONTINGENT
FIFTH CONTINGENT
Private E. R. Barrer, died enteric at Kimberley (17.5.01)
Private D. Clark, killed in action at Klerksdorp (14.1.01);
Private D. McKay, died inflammation of lungs at Geraldine (20.7.01)
SIXTH CONTINGENT
Private A. H. McKay, died enteric, Wakkerstroom (14.2.02)
Private W; Matthews, reported drowned in Caledon River (27.9.01)
SEVENTH CONTINGENT
Lance-Corporals Roddick, Privates J. Connihan, W. G. Monahan, W. Stevenson, A.
J. Whitney, twenty -four were killed in action at Langrerwacht (24.2.02);
Corporal W. J. Byrne, reported accidentally killed at Goldenongeg (23.9.01)
EIGHTH CONTINGENT
NINTH CONTINGENT
TENTH CONTINGENT
Corporal D. Fogarty, died pneumonia at Newcastle (8.6.02)
Langverwacht Hill
-Twenty-four New Zealanders were killed in this battle. A total of 234 New
Zealanders died while on service in New Zealand's first overseas war.
At the beginning of February 1902, the Seventh Contingent formed part of one of the elite mounted columns, in the second great sweeping "drives" organised by Lord Kitchner, with the object of clearing the eastern Orange River colony. The sweep was from the Natal frontier westwards, and the cordons were parallel lines of blockhouses running east and west. Between these lines the Boers were being pushed when a party of them escaped. General Christiaan De Wet decided to break through the British cordon at Langverwacht Hill, a point on the line held by the left wing of the Seventh Contingent. The New Zealand line consisted of small posts of five or six men in small trenches or sangars. On the night of 23-24 February a picked force of guerrillas drove a herd of cattle against the wire entanglements connecting the British blockhouses, and followed themselves and overwhelmed one of the New Zealand posts, then turned left and advanced up the hill destroying each of the posts in turn in ferocious close-quarter fighting. The Boers succeeded in opening up a gap through which most of their force escaped. The New Zealanders, who were reported to have 'displayed great gallantry and resolution', lost 24 men killed and 41 wounded - a very high proportion of the 80 men engaged. Despite this setback, the drive was a qualified success, with 50 guerrillas killed and nearly 800 taken prisoner. The price is heavy, but who will regret it? Not those who have to pay it, we are sure.
The Star Saturday 1st
March 1902 The Gallant Seventh.
The minor events of the week are completely overshadowed by the South African
news yesterday. Last night all newspaper and post offices were thronged by
anxious relatives. To-day a feeling of general sadness is felt. But we can't
make cakes without breaking eggs. After all, the same number might soon have
filtered away, one by one, the victims of enteric. These have at least had a
chance to leave a glorious name, and they have done it.
| Connihan,
John [spelling varations: Conniham,
Counihan] Contingent Seventh. Reg No 4400 Unit no 24 company (Canterbury section) Ship Gulf of Taranto 6 April 1901 Rank: Private Occupation: Farmer Address: Pleasant Point Canterbury Next of Kin: Mr Edward Connihan, father Next of Kin Address Kerrytown, South Canterbury Rank Last Held: Trooper Date of Death: 24 February 1902 Place of Death: Langverwacht, Orange Free State Cause of Death: Killed in action. Embarkation Date: 6 April 1901 Unit: 7th NZ Mounted Rifles. 24 Co. Canterbury Section Temuka War Memorial |
|
Monahan, William Gibb Rank First & Last Held: Trooper Serial No.: 4424 War: Anglo-Boer War (SA), 1899-1902 Date of Death: 24 February 1902 Place of Death: Langverwacht, Orange Free State Cause of Death: Killed in action. Enlistment Occupation: Ploughman Enlistment Address: Temuka, Canterbury Next of Kin: Hugh Monahan, Temuka, Canterbury Unit: 7th NZ Mounted Rifles. 24 Co. Canterbury Section Transport: S.S. Gulf of Taranto (ship), Wellington, 6 April 1901 Destination: Durban, South Africa Temuka War Memorial |
|
| Roddick, William
Rank Last Held: Lance-Corporal Serial No.: 4439 War: Anglo-Boer War (SA), 1899-1902 Date of Death: 24 February 1902 Place of Death: Langverwacht, Orange Free State Cause of Death: Killed in action. Enlistment Occupation: Labourer Enlistment Address: Burkett Street, Temuka First Rank: Trooper NOK: Mrs H. B. Roddick, Burkett Street, Temuka Unit: 7th NZ Mounted Rifles. 24 Co. Canterbury Sect. Transport: S.S. Gulf of Taranto, Wellington, 6 April 1901 Temuka War Memorial |
|
| Stevenson, Walter
Serial No.: 4442 Trooper War: Anglo-Boer War (SA), 1899-1902 Date of Death: 24 February 1902 Place of Death: Langverwacht, Orange Free State Cause of Death: Killed in action. Enlistment Occupation: Draper Enlistment Address: York Street, Timaru Next of Kin: James Orr Stevenson York Street, Timaru Unit: 7th NZ Mounted Rifles. 24 Co. Canterbury Section Transport: S.S. Gulf of Taranto (ship) Wellington 6 April 1901 |
|
| Whitney, Alfred
John Rank First & Last Held: Trooper Serial No.: 4459 War: Anglo-Boer War (SA), 1899-1902 Date of Death: 24 February 1902 Place of Death: Langverwacht, Orange Free State Cause of Death: Killed in action. Enlistment Occupation: Groom Enlistment Address: Stafford Street, Timaru Next of Kin: Benjamin Deacon Whitney Stafford Street, Timaru Embarkation Unit: 7th NZ Mounted Rifles. 24 Company Transport: S.S. Gulf of Taranto, Wellington, 6 April 1901 |
Injured
Boone, William
Contingent: Seventh
Unit no: 24 company (Canterbury section)
Ship: Gulf of Taranto 6 April 1901
Rank: Private
Occupation: Labourer
Address: Waimate
Next of Kin: Miss A Cook
Relationship to Soldier: friend
Next of Kin Address: Timaru
Reg No 4389
Cook, William Henry
Contingent: Seventh
Unit no 24 company (Canterbury section)
Ship Gulf of Taranto 6 April 1901
Rank private
Occupation: Labourer
Addres: Temuka
Next of Kin: Mr William Cook
Relationship to Soldier: Father
Next of Kin Address: Timaru
Reg No 4392Dunford, Charles
Contingent: Seventh
Unit no: 24 company (Canterbury section)
Ship: Gulf of Taranto 6 April 1901
Rank: Private
Occupation: Labourer
Address: Temuka
Next of Kin: Mr Henry Dunford
Relationship to Soldier: father
Next of Kin Address: same
Reg No 4402
Minifie, Charles Frederick Normanby
Contingent: Seventh
Unit no 24 company (Canterbury section)
Ship Gulf of Taranto 6 April 1901
Rank: Sergeant
Occupation: Clerk
Address Temuka
Next of Kin: Mr Charles Mcpeak
Relationship to Soldier: Trustee
Next of Kin Address: Opoho Dunedin
Reg No 4364
100 years ago on October 21 1899 the first of ten New Zealand contingents left Wellington, bound for South Africa to fight for Britain in the South African War. The First Contingent were required to supply their own mount and expected to contribute £25 to the cost of their own equipment. A few exceptions were made. High stand of physique and horsemanship were demanded. From the small districts of New Zealand nearly 6500 volunteer troops, 3.5% of the adult male population, and nurses along with 8000 horses went to South Africa in an extraordinary outpouring of patriotism that brought parades, crowded send-offs for the troop ships, and much public fundraising for the war effort. Many districts and firms contributed the horses and tack. The Third and Fourth Contingents were essentially paid for by private contributions. South Canterbury contributed 11,000 sacks of oats for horse feed. Disease was a serious problem, and the New Zealand units lost 133 men from illness, and that was twice the number as from, killed in action 71. Maoris were not allowed to fight in the war. Twenty-five soldiers were killed accidentally. Many New Zealanders were named after Boer war heroes.
In Dunedin on February 3, 1900 the Premier informed the Patriotic Committee that a new Contingent comprising at least 300 men would be sent to the Cape, the company which Otago and Southland had previously undertaken to raise by private subscription being the principal company. The contingent embarked at Port Chalmers 29th March. Various sub-committees were set up to superintend the details of selection, equipment, etc., and a commencement was made to organise the fourth contingent on February 5. As fast as the men passed the medical test they were sent out to the camp at Forbury Park where they had to submit to a pretty severe riding test. Having satisfactory passed this test, they were finally taken in squads to the rifle range at Pelichet Bay, and subjected to a firing test. The flower of New Zealand's youth was offering, and at least three times the number wanted were available. 40 surplus men were ordered into the reserve for the fifth contingent. The final draft of 257 men with 125 horses arrived from Wellington on the 19th inst.
Wellington, March 31st.
Waimate: 13 officers, 268 men, 233 horses;
Maori, 8 officers, 200 men, 180 horses;
At the last moment, owing to the influence of Major Steward, the Premier was induced to include the reserve men, numbering 66, who will act as supernumeraries, and fill any vacancies in the fifth contingent. There are 55 more men than horses, as it was impossible to find sufficient chargers at the last moment. The troopship Maori sailed from Worser Bay, [Wellington] for Albany, shortly after 7 o'clock on Saturday night. The Roll Call for the fifth contingent from the The Canterbury Company (South Canterbury men)
Lieutenant Bailey of Timaru
Non commissioned Officers:
Murray Graham Lyon, Studholme
Logan Glendinning, Glenlogan, Waimate
Buglers: Lindsay and Patrick, Timaru
Farriers: Duncan McTaggart, Morven, Waimate
Troopers:
Frank L. Barker, Ohapi, Orari
Ernest Robert Barrar, Timaru
John Anstruther Byng, Pareora Estate, St Andrews
Ernest Emms, Blue Cliffs
Lesile Alexander Forbes, Temuka
William Charles Gosling, Timaru
James William Gould, Timaru
Guy Westland Geddes, Orari George
John Burton Hobbs, Timaru
Charles William Hill, of Glengarry House, Opawa
James Ferguson Lindsay, Waimate
Nathan Williams, TimaruSince old Oom Paul has gone to war,
We'll make it hot for every Boer.
But soldiers find there's else than lead
To hurt a man or kill him dead
The hard, rough life, climatic ills,
Are apt to bring on grievous chills.Sailed from Timaru March 28, Magwen, barque, for Durban, with 1000 tons of flour and 17,160 sacks oats. This is the largest cargo that has ever left this port by sailer.
Otago Witness, 17 July 1901, Page 32
THE LIST OF MEN.
The Tagus brought 10 officers and 285 men of the fourth contingent, and 13 officers and 375 men of the fifth contingent, besides 6 invailds and 4 "details," also 12 men belonging to corps not connected with New Zealand. The lists are as follow:— FOURTH CONTINGENT.
Private F. L. Baker, South Canterbury
Farrier-sergeant D. Byrne, Timaru
Sergeant-major L Glendiniung. Waimate
Farrier T. Goldstone, South Canterbury.
Private J. W. Gould, Timaru
Private J. B. Hobbs, Timaru.
Private J. F. Lindsay, Waimate
Bugler P. Lindsay, Timaru
Private D. M'Kay, South Canterbury
Private D. M'Taggart, South Canterbury
Private J. K. Thompson, South CanterburyOtago Witness, 23 January 1901, Page 23
The Sixth Contingent Send-off
WELLINGTON, January 17. The form of oath taken by members of the sixth contingent declares that they will serve within or without the colony until lawfully discharged. January 20. The following is the roll of the sixth contingent embarking at Wellington :
No. 19 (Canterbury) Company (only South Canterbury men listed here)
J. Alexander (Timaru),
M. T. Blyth (Timaru)
L. C. Burke (Timaru)
G. Bateman (Waimate)
A. Burns (Timaru)
J. Cooling (Geraldine),
J. Cassidy (Pleasant Point)
W. Cullen (Timaru)
H. Cooling (Woodbury, Canterbury)
J. Cabot (Timaru, late first contingent)
F. J. Darby (Canterbury South)
C. Ellen (Waimate)
W. Mathews (Timaru)
J. C. Martin (Timaru)
J. J. Melton (Timaru)
A. M. M'Intosh (Timaru, late third contingent)
S. J. Pye (Temuka)
S. W. Slates (Timaru)
F W. Sauer (Waimate)
J. Scott (Temuka)
G. C Talbot (Timaru)
T. V. Vincent (Timaru)
F E. West (Timaru)
The Eighth Contingent was divided into two Regiments, the South Island and the North Island regiment. The North Island Regiment sailed in the Surrey on 1 February. and the South Island Regiment sailed a week later, 8 February, from Lyttelton in the S.S. Cornwall, 5490 tons, built in 1896. Owners: Federation Steam Nav. Co. They met at Albany, Western Australia and sailed together on 24 February until 8 March. The two Regiments landed at Durban on 15 and 19 March, the Surrey begin the faster vessel. The weather for the voyage was fine. On 4 July 1902 the Contingent sailed for home aboard the Brittanic via Melbourne to Wellington arriving 1 August and was disbanded on 13 August. Contingents for South Africa were entirely volunteer.The troopship Devon, which left from Auckland, with the New Zealand, North Island Battalion of the Ninth Contingent. She hit a storm for two days while crossing the Tasman Sea and arrived in Sydney 26 March, 1902. The majority of the men were down with sea sickness except about sixty and about twenty-three horses were killed outright, or so badly injured as to have to be destroyed and another thirty were maimed.
Archives New Zealand in Wellington has a Boer War Card Index and Medal Rolls for the Queen's South African Medal and the King's South African Medal. The rolls are arranged by contingent, then alphabetically within each rank.
There is a substantial collection of letters and diaries and other material in the Alexander Turnbull Library, the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Canterbury Museum, and the Hocken Library in Dunedin. Those records do not include an official war history.
Boer War fiches (ONS No. F533-F539) are held in the Family History section of the NZ National Library, Wellington.
NZ Defence Dept. Library (Ground Floor, Stout Street, Wellington)
British
Queen’s South Africa Medal, 1899-1902, with five clasps, “Cape
Colony,” “Orange Free State,” “Transvaal,” “South Africa 1901,” “South Africa
1902” (Silver, Queen Victoria, type 3) impressed 3760 Corpl: W. McDonald,
N:Zealand M.R. Was awarded to British and Colonial units which fought in the
Boer War. The Cape Colony clasp was awarded to British and Colonial units
which served in the Cape Colony between October 11, 1899, and May 31, 1902, and
which were not entitled to the Defence of Kimberley, Relief of Kimberley,
Defence of Mafeking, Relief of Mafeking, or Natal clasps.
The Orange Free State clasp - served in the Orange River Colony between February
28, 1900, and May 31, 1902.
The Transvaal clasp served in the Transvaal between May 24, 1900, and May 31,
1902.
The South Africa 1901 clasp - served at the front in South Africa between
January 1 and December 31, 1901.
The South Africa 1902 clasp - served at the front in South Africa between
Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 1902.
THE BUGLE CALL.
Otago Witness, 4 January 1900, Page 49
Old ' England calls! Hark to the drum,
The Mauser bullets' mingled hum,
With bagpipes playing. Still them come,
With measured beat of marching feet,
Through wind and heat, through snow and sleet,
The true sons of our Empire meet.
The good old bull-dog British breed
Is pure gold in the hour of need;
Once more the bugle sounds — give heed!
Rally up! rally up! Saxon and Celt;
Strike without gloves upon the lonely veldt.
Keep cool and hit hard : make every blow felt.
Rally up! rally up! Shamrock and Heather.
Nowhere in history you show the white feather,
Kanuck and Cornstalk, shoulders together.
Rally up! rally up! Goorkha and Sikh,
Mahrattas, Cingalese — out Indian pick:
Day out and day in — real dandies to stick.
Rally up! rally up! Tassy and Maoriland,
Brothers are calling you; listen to their demand,
Accept the proffered chance, stretch out a helping hand.
Old England calls! Again that bugle blast!
Stand not ignobly by ; do not forget the past —
Strike while the iron's hot, and weld one Empire fast.
LITTLE JIMMY (Mr J. McLauchlan) Southland, December 20.
"Play the Game"
Otago Witness, 22 February 1900, Page 66
If you're a dandy rider, and you fancy you can stick
To the pigskin, when it's strapped round any horse's hide;
If you're only five-and-twenty, and feel in rattling nick —
The Cape's the place for you— (they're wanting scouts to ride),
If a rifle you can handle and hold it fairly straight,
And are five-foot-nine or so, and scale at twelve stone eight.
Then play the game —
For the trumpet's calling, calling " Come away " ;
Calling, calling you to come without delay.
There's a hundred men from Southland wanted soon, and quick,
There's a hundred from Otago wanted too,
For the Boars are there in thousands, and are bloomm' hard to lick —
But the good old bull dog breed will see it thro' ;
It's coming pretty tough — if Oom Paul's to domineer,
But we'll clear the beggar out — or bust — no fear !
"We'll play the game —
For the big, big stalwart drummer bangs away !
Calling, calling, to aid them in the fray!
There are men in kilt and khaki risking life to-day,
Horse, Foot, Artillery, and Engineers,
There are chunky lads of sailors who know the game to play,
There's cavalry and infantry and fusiliers,
Canadian Rough Riders — Australian station blokes —
Wiring in from daybreak at breaking down their mokes.
They play the game —
And the dandy Highland piper struts round as large as life,
Calling, calling you to help them in the strife.
Crack regiments from India are swarming to the Cape,
Twenty thousand volunteers from brave Natal,
An Army Corps from Britain (tied neatly with red tape) —
To hunt the sun-dried Boer from the Transvaal.
New Zealand adds her quota — little Tassy sends her sons,
And they're doing simply splendid and sticking to their guns.
They play the game —
For the bugle call has sounded — "Don't delay!
"It's not the time for funny jokes— blaze away."
We can't all be Highland pipers, for Aye haven't got the build,
And only one in ninety-nine can ride,
And to hit the eight-inch bull's eye just takes a man who's skilled:
And — the — Cape — won't — hold — us — all !
Some will have to stay outside.
But there are ways and means. Have you got a pound to spare?
The widow and the orphan are helpless over there.
Come! play the game,
For the hat is going round to give us all a chance,
For the bosom friend of glory's called the ambulance.
—LITTLE JIMMY. (Elbow Room Estate, Speargrass Flat, Southland)
Southland, February 9, 1900.
The ordinary Kiwi soldier – without exception a volunteer – was subjected to an appalling life in the South African campaign. The officer corps was largely incompetent and service conditions bad. Thousands of Empire troops, and Boers and Blacks, died not from bullets but from typhoid. I invite genealogy buffs to contribute pen portraits of South African 'Boer' War veterans with a South Canterbury connection. Email to contribute.
ACLAND, Leopold George Dyke 620 Private Third Contingent No. 5 company sailed for South Africa on the Union Company vessel Knight Tempar on Saturday 17 February 1900. He listed his next of kin as Mr B.D. Ackland , uncle, of Bathengland, UK. Leo was born in 1876 in Christchurch the son of Thomas Dyke Acland. Acland left Christ's College in 1893. He purchased Glentanner Station in 1898 for £5,000 and 10,000 sheep. He also served in WW1at Gallipoli and later became a staff officer. Acland sold Glentanner to George Murray for £9,000 in 1904. Acland was an authority on Canterbury history and wrote The Early Canterbury Runs and articles for the Christchurch Press. He owned "Braemar Station" from 1906-1911 and at the time of his death in 1948 he owned "Cecil Peaks Station", Lake Wakatipu. Ref: High Endeavour by Vance.
ACLAND, Captain L D, M.C., Military Cross, left with the rank of Lieutenant in the Army Service Corps, with the main body. [AWN 20.01.1916]
DEC. 1916 ACLAND, Major Leo G D, Christchurch, well known NZ sportsman, has not been wounded as was officially stated in the hospital list published yesterday but was invalided to England from France because the stump of his arm, which he lost while tiger hunting in India, was giving him trouble. An operation was performed on the nerves and according to the message received, he is making satisfactory progress. [AWN 07.12.1916] L. G. D. ACLAND OBE, MC. Lieut. 5/8/14, Major 1/3/1916.
Major, NZ Army Service Corps 1NZEF WW1 Service No. 14/97 M.C. 14 Jan 1916
M.I.D. For distinguished service in the field. (Gallipoli). 5 Nov. 1915 Hamilton
M.I.D. 11 Dec. 1915 London Gazette page 11003 by Hamilton (couldn't find)
M.I.D.28 Jan 1916 London Gazette page 1210_ (couldn't find)
8th Nov. 2928 by Haig
ACLAND, L G
Vessel REMUERA
Departed: PLYMOUTH
Arrived: AUCKLAND 06 May 1919
Notes Male.
Title: MAJOR.
Occupation: NZEF.
Place of birth: BRITISH POSSESSION.
Source Archives NZ reference: BBAO 5552/6a page: 145MR. L.G.D. Acland, the proprietor of Glentanner station, was born in Christchurch. From the first he followed pastoral pursuits, and was a cadet on the Cracroft station. Mr. Acland went to South Africa as a member of the Canterbury troop of New Zealand Rough Riders, who left Christchurch on the 17 February, 1900, for the purpose of taking part in the was with the Transvaal and Orange Free State Republics. Reference: Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Canterbury edition 1903. Tekapo.
BARRON, James 5894 Private Eighth Contingent South Island Regiment - G Squadron was a farmer aged twenty-five when he enlisted and sailed on the 8 February 1902. James was awarded the Imperial South African War Medal and clasps for South Africa 1902, Transvaal and Cape Colony. James was the son of Alexander Barron a farmer from Tuapeka area. In 1916 James swapped his farm in Southland for the "Sherwood Downs" homestead block owned by Charles Sydney Forbes the original ballot selector. Charles was the brother of Rt. Hon George William Forbes, New Zealand's Prime Minister for a Coalition Government from 1931-1935. Their father, Robert Forbes, came to New Zealand in 1864 and settled around Little River, Banks Peninsula. The men left from the Addington Show Grounds camp to the Lyttelton jetties. Final farewells were given and exchanged, and the Cornwall, with her 600 sons of New Zealand aboard, commenced her voyage in earnest from Lyttelton.Crawshaw, George
Second Contingent, Unit nos 3 and 4 companies
Ship "Waiwera" 20 January 1900
Rank: lieutenant
Occupation schoolmaster, South Canterbury,
NOK: father , Read street OamaruDALE, Samuel
Reg No 3723. Private, Sixth Contingent , No. 20 Company
Ship 'Cornwall' 30 January 1901
Occupation: Stationmaster , Dunedin
NOK: Mr William Dale, brother c/o Reid and Gray, Dunedin. Samuel Dale (”Sam”) was born in Port Chalmers in 1870. He went to the Boer War with the Sixth contingent and returned unhurt. On leaving the Doncaster Hotel he married Edith Mary Dale (no relation) whose parents owned the Doncaster Hotel at Washdyke, and later ran it in conjunction with her as joint owners. In 1908 he bought a town supply farm on school Road, Fairlie, next to the show grounds.FREEMAN, Thomas Molloy #307 Private, Groom, Waimate. Son of George Randall Freeman and Margaret Freeman (nee Molloy). Born 1874. Died Heathcoate Camp, Christchurch 17 January 1902 from the effects of Enteric Fever contracted at the war. Aged 27 years. Private Freeman left Waimate with four other men Privates W Butcher, John Goldstone, Robert Goldstone and Albert Leach. The men went off through cheering streets, their haversacks and water bottles suggesting immediacy of action. The Second Contingent left Wellington on January 2, 1900 aboard the S S Waiwera. Courtesy of Gail Woods, Waimate Museum. Posted 29 March 2000. Buried 19 January 1902, age 27, in the Old Waimate Cemetery.
Hawera & Normanby Star, 17 January 1902, Page 3
Christchurch, January 17. Driver Freeman, of B Battery, which is in camp at Heathcoate, was found dead in bed this morning. Deceased served in South Africa and bad enteric fever.
Evening Post, 18 January 1902, Page 5
At the inquest on the body of Driver Freeman, who died suddenly at the artillery camp yesterday, a verdict of Death from Heart Disease was returned.North Otago Times, 29 August 1900, Page 1
Trooper T. M, Freeman of Waimate, a member of the Second Contingent, who returned invalided from the front by the Gothic, arrived in Lyttelton on Saturday morning by the Rotomahana. He is experiencing the peculiar feelings of a man returned from the grave, his death having, in error, been reported to his friends. The mistake arose in this way:
Trooper Freeman was at Bloemfontein at the same time that a New South Wales Lancer, of the surname , died, and was buried, and the authorities reported that the New Zealander had died. A pecullal coincidence was that the New South Wales Lancer's number was 207, whilst Trooper Freeman s number was 307. At the Lancer's grave it appears that a dispute arose as to his identity some maintaining he was the New Zealander.
It was not until Trooper Freeman reached Capetown that he learned of the mistake from a mate, who told him that notification of his death had been read out in orders. As may be imagined Trooper Freeman's friends have suffered considerably through the error made.
After the fight at the Ver River, Major Caddock put Trooper Freeman in an ambulance, with instructions to join him in a day's time, but the medical officer ordered him back to the hospital. Trooper Freeman, however, managed to get possession of a horse, rifle and bandolier and started off "on his own" to find the New Zealanders. He fell in with General French's column instead, and fought with the Inniskillings outside Kroostad. After a day and a half's endeavour to get up with the Contingent, the fever got hold of him, and on getting off his horse found it impossible to get on again, and was ultimately picked up on the veldt by some dragoons He was four days in a field hospital, the same period was taken in transport to Bloemfontein , and during three days he lay unconscious. He was three or four weeks in the hospital at Bloemfontein , and made an ineffectual attempt to clear out and rejoin the Contingent. . He was sent to Wynberg hospital, in Cape Colony, where he was for about a fortnight. He was then sent to the base hospital at Maitland, where he was put on light duties for about ten days, prior to New Zealand.
Trooper Freeman thinks South Africa is a good country to live in. Despite the hardships encountered, which one gets used to, he liked campaigning, and he felt so much recovered in health when he reached Wellington, that he saw Colonel Ponton, and asked to be allowed to return to South Africa in a month. Colonel Ponton, however, would not hear of the proposal. The other members of the Contingent Waimate—: the Goldstones and Butcher. - were doing first class. Speaking generally of the treatment involved by the colonial troops Trooper Freeman said it was very good, and as good as could be expected.GALWEY, Kit. Christopher de Burgh Galwey, aka Kit was born and raised on the West Coast, NZ. He served in the South African War and with the out break of World War One volunteered again. As a result of injuries he was hopsitalized for many months at the Choubra Hospital in Cairo, Egypt. In 1917 the Clayton Settlement, a returned soldiers settlement, came up for balloting. Kit drew a run which he named "Choubra."
HECKLER, Henry Thackeray b. 1861 at Waikouaiti, Otago, was the third son of William Heckler, a farmer, who had came out to N.Z on the Rajah from Yorkshire. "Harry" volunteered for the Fourth Contingent but was not allowed to take his own horse along as he, the mount, was too tall. He left as a Corporal, was made a Lieutenant, later a Captain after he again volunteered for the North Island Regiment, Tenth Contingent. He had been working as a farm manger south of Hastings. On the voyage over on the S.S. Drayton Grange in 1902 he became good friends with the Hon. Richard John Seddon, the Prime Minister, who had been invited to visit South Africa. Headstone
Letters written by Seddon on the voyage to England - 15 May 1902 - Seddon to Messenger - Informs him has appointed Lieutenant Heckler to captain. For service in South Africa has been recommended for the DSO and the DSM
Letters written by Seddon on the voyage to England - 15 May 1902 - WB Messenger to Seddon - Replies to 8/19. Has found for men whom he promoted according to instructions given by Seddon. Lieutenant Heckler's promotion will appear in orders that night.Captain Heckler and his wife Olga were the first to take up "Ribbonwood", Sherwood Downs, Fairlie in 1912 when the area was opened under renewable crown pastoral lease by ballot. The recently altered homestead at 1800' overlooks the district. Captain Heckler died in Timaru Hospital in April 1915 of blood poisoning.
Evening Post, 12 April 1915, Page 8
Captain H. T. Heckler, D.S.O., who was a member of the 4th, and 10th New Zealand. Contingents for South Africa, died at Timaru last week from blood poisoning.O'CALLAGHAN, Leslie George was the son of Arthur Pyne and Florence O'Callaghan, of 16 Craigie St., Timaru; husband of Julia Marie O'Callaghan, of Hadlow, Timaru. Native of The Springs, Lincoln, Canterbury. Lieutenant O'Callaghan was a teacher when he enlisted with the Eighth Contingent South Island Regiment - Squadron F and sailed from Lyttelton on the Cornwall 8 February1902. On returning he became an auctioneer in Waimate and entered in partnership with E.A. LeCren. Leslie's father was a supervising valuer in Christchurch. Leslie terminated his business when his wife was lucky enough in 1912 to draw a ballot for a run at the top of Morris Rd, Sherwood Downs, Fairlie. She named the run "Leslie Downs" after her husband. They were neighbours of the Heckler's. Captain O'Callaghan 24291 enlisted in WW1, 1st Bn., Canterbury Regiment, NZEF, and died in action on Friday, 12th October 1917, Ypres, Belgium. Age 38. Buried at TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Mr. L. O'Callaghan name appears on the Sherwood Downs, St Mary's Church, Timaru, Waimataitai School and Timaru's South African War Memorials in South Canterbury.
Smith, Robert Edward Reg No 418
Second Contingent, Unit nos 3 and 4 companies
Ship "Waiwera" 20 January 1900
Rank: farrier
Occupation: farrier
Address 28 Stratford Timaru
NOK: Mrs Mary Smith, mother, NOK Address same
Died 2nd Dec. 1900 Bronkhorst Spruit, Gauteng, South Africa of wounds received at Rhenostor Kop.
Buried: Diamond Hill Garden of Remembrance, South AfricaWORTHINGTON, Leonard Edward John 5617 Trooper 8th Contingent South African War & 5073 Trooper 2nd Brabant's Horse South African Regiment which was raised from colonial volunteers in South Africa. Leonard was born at Pleasant Point on 25 February 1875 to Robert and Catherine (nee Jagger) Worthington. He was too young for the Boer War so he and a minister's son stowed away and jumped off the ship at Cape Town and swarm ashore. Later he was drafted from the Temuka Rifles with the Eighth Contingent - E Squadron and was attested at Addington on 6 January 1902. His record shows he was employed as a farm-hand for F. Palliser of Timaru at the time. Trooper Worthington was found gambling in Camp in that he did on 14 June play a game of chance with dice for money and was awarded 10 days pack drill. He was awarded the Queen's South African Medal 1902 and Orange Free State Clasp and obtained the rank of lance-corporal. Len died in Christchurch in 1948. For details of service in the Brabant's Horse Regiment write to the Public Record Office in London and read The Colonials in South Africa 1899-1902 by John Stirling published Blackwood & Sons, Edinburgh and London, being the services of the various irregular corps raised in South Africa and the contingents from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, India and Ceylon together with details of those mentioned in despatches with related honours and awards, 497pp., hardback, d.w., Reprint, Suffolk, (1907) 1990. WW1 service
Brabant's Horse. There were two units of Brabant's Horse, both raised in Queenstown, South Africa. 1st Brabant's was raised on 5.11.1899 and 2nd Brabant's in January 1900. Both were about 600 strong and were disbanded in Cape Town on 31.12.1901. Locally raised South African regiment, raised by Sir Robert Brabant, Commissioner of Cape Railways, in Queenstown, SA, Nov.5, 1899. Top strength, 600. Included in its ranks South African colonials, Australians, British, Canadians. Unit saw much action against Boer commandos. Brabant's Horse was disbanded in Cape Town, Dec. 31,1901.Taranaki Herald, 27 April 1901, Page 2
RECRUITING IN NEW ZEALAND FOR BRABANT'S HORSE.
A GOVERNMENT DECLARATION ON QUESTION. Wellington, April 28.;— The Commander of the Forces wishes it known that the New Zealand Government will not be responsible for contracts entered into by F. B. Hughes, of Brabant's Horse.
Taranaki Herald, 7 May 1901, Page 2
RECRUITING IN NEW ZEALAND.
Chrischurch, May 6.- Captain Hughes has received a cable from the military authorities at the Cape, stating that Lord Kitchener is agreeing for the passages of the men recruited by Captain Hughes for Brabant's Horse, and instructing him to see the Governor upon, the matter. As a result Captain Hughes, left for Wellington this evening by the Rotorua.
West Coast Times,, 29 April 1901, Page 2
Hughes to-day told a newspaper reporter that he had received a written and verbal request from Colonel Thomas who commands a portion of Brabant's Horse to bring back 10o recruits from New Zealand. He says he had the rank of Lieutenant in the regiment and exhibited a large bundle of telegrams which he said were from men in all parts of the colony anxious to join.
Otago Witness, 1 May 1901, Page 25
RECRUITING IN NEW ZEALAND
WELLINGTGON. April 26. Lieutenant Hughes, of Clnistchurch, who is enlisting men in the colony for Brabant's Horse, interviewed the Commander of the Forces to-day in regard to Lord Kitchener's cable to the Premier. He pays that Colonel Penton informed him that the Government would try and prevent men going as recruits, but, of course, they could not stop them shipping as ordinary passengers. Lieutenant Hughes agreed to drop the word recruit from his advertisements, and confine himself to assisting men to leave for South Africa unconditionally. In regard to Lord Kitchener's cable, he contends that he has a perfect right to recruit anywhere for the irregular body horse.
Hawera & Normanby Star, 14 May 1903, Page 3
MEDALS FOR NEW ZEALANDERS.
WELLINGTON, May 13.
Captain J. T. Marshall, of Wellington, who served in the Boer war, as a Sergeant in Brabant's Horse, recently wrote to the paymaster of the Imperial Discharge Depot at Capetown relative to the issue of South African war medals to New Zealand members of irregular forces. He has just received a reply that all New Zealanders who served in irregular corps should apply for their medals direct to the chief ordnance officer at Woolwich.
Evening Post, 13 November 1900, Page 5
INVALIDED NEW ZEALANDERS.
PERTH, This Day. The Australasian has arrived here with invalided officers, including Lieut. Colonel Sommerville and Lieut. Collins, of the New Zealand Fourth Contingent, and Mr. J. A. .Shand, war correspondent. Lieut. Collins's left fore-arm was shattered by a gunshot. His Excellency the Governor has received the following cable message from the General of Communications, dated Capetown, 12th November: — "Woolloomooloo left Capetown 9th. She has on board Surgeon-Major Burns and four men of the New Zealand Mounted Infantry; also Sergt. Marshall, of Brabant's Horse, for Wellington, and Private Turner, of Brabant's Horse, for Napier."Evening Post, 8 March 1900, Page 2
Apart altogether from New Zealanders who form the colonial Contingents in South Africa, several fellow-colonists are making their way there. Mr. F. Hoare, son of Mr. Hoare, who was at one time manager of the Raincliff Station in South Canterbury, has been accepted for the Imperial Yeomanry ; while Mr. J. Goodliff, known some years ago in steeplechasing and running circles in the colony, has thrown up the management of a licensed house near Fleet-street, in order to join the South African Contingent of the Bucks Yeomanry, of which he is a member."For noble deeds as simple duty done,
We thank Thee, Lord!"
==============================
Publications: Will give you a greater appreciation of service soldiers saw in South Africa. It is advisable to cross-referencing various sources and note discrepancies in each source.
Crawford, John To Fight for The Empire, Reed 1999 illustrated
Dooner, M.G. The Last Post. Covers officers who died in the war
Hall, D.O.W The New Zealanders in South Africa 1899-1902 for the War History Branch, Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington 1949
Hawdon, Sarah Elizabeth. New Zealanders and the Boer War, or, Soldiers from the Land of the Moa. Christchurch: Gordon and Gotch, 1902
Moore, James G. Harle With the Fourth New Zealand Rough Riders. Dunedin: Otago Daily Times and Witness Newspapers Co., 1906.
Perham, Trooper F. The Kimberley Flying Column: Boer War Reminiscences. 92pp, pictures, Timaru 1957. Perham served in the Fifth Contingent No. 14 company (Canterbury section) which sailed on the Maori 31 March1900
Stirling John, The Colonials in South Africa. 1907, Edinburgh, details the service of the New Zealand Contingents. A total of 78 Victoria Crosses were awarded during the Second Boer War.Stowers, Richard Rough Riders at War : history of New Zealand's involvement in the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902 and information on all members of the ten New Zealand contingents / Richard Stowers. 204 pages. Map. 2002. Publisher Richard Stowers, Hamilton, NZ.
Miss Woollcombe, a nurse, letter from the front.
Timaru Herald, Monday 10 April 1900 pg3Eight letters written by Corporal Whitehead from Addington Camp and the troopship "Cornwall" before his arrival in South Africa. Jessie Whitehead compiled a scrapbook about the Eight Contingent Railway accident. David Lunam Whitehead was killed in a railway accident at Machavie in the Transvaal. Jessie was his sister. Hocken Library.
Timaru Herald Thursday 19 October 1899
Sergeant Byrne of Timaru rejected from the Contingent. Failed to pass
the required standard in horsemanship.
Timaru Herald Wednesday 20 December 1899 Druidism
There was a very large attendance of druids last night for the quarterly meeting. Bro. Simpson, P.D.P., proposed the toast "Our Volunteers." coupled with the name of Bro. (captain) Beckningham and Bro. (Private) Byrne (now at the front.) Bro. Keith said incidentally remarked that he was the last person from Timaru to shake Bro. Byrne's hand in Wellington prior to his departure with the Contingent. He had never seen a young fellow so cut up as Byrne was when he was at first rejected [because his horsemanship was not up to standard]. However all ended well and Byrne was now fighting for New Zealand in South Africa. Other toasts. Bro. C. Knight, P.A. Bro. Pattrick sang "A soldier and a Man" and Bro. Simpson sang "England's Glory." "God Save the Queen" was sung by all with cheers, with an extra cheers for "Billy Byrne," terminated the proceedings. KIA 28 May 1900Timaru Herald Friday 29 December 1899
Farewell at the Temuka Volunteer Hall to Captain Hayhurst who is leaving for Wellington to join the contingent. A supper had been spread by Mr O'Donoghue, and about 300 sat down to partake of it. Several officers of other companies were present. including Majors Young and Jowsey, Captains Richardson and Cutten, Lieutenants Felden, Foden and Crawshaw. All wished Captain Hayhurst and Lieutenant Findlay and all fellow colonist in the Transvaal every success.
Mr Frank Simmons, of Compstall, has presented a horse to the South Canterbury Contingent for use in the Transvaal. The horse is a beautiful bay standing 125.3 and a first rate fence, just the sort required. Mr T. Teschemaker as offered two horses, and Mr R. Brookland, Pareora one. Mr Empson, stock inspector goes today to inspect these three animals, and if suitable will bring them to Timaru for veterinary inspection. Mr Empson is the local officer to whom such offers are made.Timaru Herald Friday December 1899
Lieutenant Hawdon, formerly of Christchurch City Rifles, and now of the 24th Regiment, India, has at his own request, obtained a transfer to active service in South Africa. Refers to a son of Mr Hawdon, of Peel Forest, who is well known in South Canterbury.
Three members of the Waimate Rifles, Corporals Collet and Gladstone, and Private Goldstone, having volunteered for service in South Africa, left yesterday by the express for Christchurch, to be inspected previous to the acceptance of their offer. They were accompanied by a number of their comrades and of the townspeople. In honour of the occasion the Union Jack was flying at the satin.Timaru Herald Monday 1st January 1900
On Saturday Troopers Greig, Thoreau, King, and Smith of the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles, Private West of the City Rifles, and Private Brown, of the Timaru Rifles, whose services have been accepted for South Africa, and who join the camp at Wellington in readiness to take their departure by the Waiwera in about two weeks. Added to the train there was a horse truck containing four horses for the contingent. The pick "Von Moltke," the Hospital staff's gift to Volunteer Brown. Two other's given by Mr T. Teschemaker and one by Mr R. Bell, of Waimate, a reliable hunter.
2nd Jan. Trooper Connolly, a Temuka member of the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles, received word yesterday to leave for Wellington by last night's express to join the contingent. The departure of Captain Hayhurst on Saturday was the cause of a great outburst of patriotic feeling.Evening Post, 30 January 1901, Page 5
Sir Alfred Milner has cabled to the Government that Private O. K. Ward, of Port Chalmers (Fourth Contingent), died of enteric fever at Johannesburg on 25th January, and that Private T. R. Moss, of Winchester, Canterbury (Third Contingent) is dangerously ill at Pretoria.Taranaki Herald, 8 January 1900, Page 3
Among the officers appointed to the second New Zealand contingent is Captain Hayhurst, of Temuka, This gentleman has an income of about £5000 a year. He has one- of the finest estates in South Canterbury. He leaves behind him a wife and five children. He was educated at the Leys School, Cambridge; under the famous Dr. Moulton. He was appointed a J.P. 16 years ago, and was the youngest magistrate ever appointed in the colony. In November last Mr Hayhurst was elected first Mayor of Temuka. He is a member of the Diocesan Synod of Canterbury, a churchwarden of St., Savior's, Temuka, and is closely identified with nearly all the public and charitable institutions in his district."Evening Post, 12 February 1900, Page 5
NEW ZEALAND'S ROUGHRIDERS.
The Government has now definitely appointed Major Jowsey to command the Third Contingent.
MAJOR JOWSEY'S CAREER. Major Thomas Jowsey, who has been chosen for the command of the Rough Riders is (says the Lyttelton Times) a native of Middlesbrough, England. He served for seven years in ,the 15th (King's) Hussars, most of the time in , India. He was fencing and gymnastic instructor to the Regiment and Military School at Poona for some time, and was in the Commissariat Department at Meerut. He retired by purchase and married, and after remaining a year or two at Home, came to New Zealand just 20 years ago, and obtained the appointment of steward and dispenser at Timaru Hospital, a position he has ever since held. He joined the Timaru Rifles as lieutenant under Captain J. W. White soon after settling in Timaru, and is now major of the South Canterbury battalion. At the annual camps under Colonel Gordon he has filled every staff office, and has every year been selected for some staff duty. Major Jowsey has not taken part in any public duties apart from volunteering, but as an officer of the South Canterbury Hospital Board he was highly esteemed personally, and was valued for his services. He has only one son, who is a trooper in the Canterbury Troop.Evening Post, 16 March 1900
TIMARU, This Day. Dr. Thomas, Captain of the Timaru Port Guards, goes to Wellington to-morrow to be surgeon to the Fifth Contingent.Evening Post, 17 January 1900, Page 5 OUR SECOND CONTINGENT.
Among the officers appointee to the Second New Zealand Contingent is Captain Hayhurst, of Temuka. This gentleman has an income of about £500 a year. He has one of the finest estates in South Canterbury. He leaves behind him a wife and live children.Evening Post, 13 June 1900, Page 6
CAPTAIN HAYHURST INTERVIEWED. Captain Hayhurst was interviewed in the Paparoa's smoking-room. He expressed his disappointment at hearing the dictum of three, medical officers that he must drop out of the campaign. The Captain said he was suffering from an old internal complaint which the long hours spent in the saddle have aggravated. But the doctors told him it was useless of him to continue under the pain and strain. "Just us I was enjoying myself, too," said he. He went on to say that Major Cradock had men to be proud of, men "grafted" had, who were given the hardest work to do, and who were never so happy as when they were fighting. The Major himself worked harder than any other member of the Contingent, and was very considerate to his men. Whilst Captain Hayhurst was with the Contingent he found that food was always plentiful. Our men learned lot in the matter of scouting through being associated with the Canadians, who were a fine lot of fellows. The British officers proved to be rather exclusive, and kept to themselves both in camp and on the march. So far as the Captain could gather, the general impression in South Africa was that guerilla warfare would succeed the main engagements and that the Boers would prove troublesome for some time to come.
As Captain Hayhurst is a landowner in the Temuka district, he was asked for his opinion as to the appearance of South Africa (is compared with New Zealand.
He replied that the portion of which he had travelled - the centre of the Free State "was not worth living in. The best of what he had seen was to be compared to the worse land he had seen in New Zealand.... The men of the Contingent, who went out to South Africa, hoping to take up laud there were grievously disappointed at the poor appearance of the country. They, like himself, were now satisfied that their own colony, was hard to beat for settlement purposes. Captain Hayhurst intends spending a few weeks at Rotorua before going home to Temuka. Mrs. Hayhurst joined her husband in Wellington this morning.Waimate Daily Advertiser, 12 July 1900, Page 3
Wellington, July 10. The Premier has received a cable from Mr Pilcner, New Zealand Government agent at Capetown, giving particulars of the men in the hospital at Capetown. The following South Canterbury men are mentioned :
617, Wilson (Lance-Corporal C. A, Wilson, son of Mr C. Wilson, Waimate)
673, McIntosh (Private A. McIntosh, son of Mrs McIntosh) Timaru
417, King, (Private J. D. King, next of kin, Mr James King, Livery Stables, Timaru)
307, Freeman (Private T. M. Freeman, son of Mrs Freeman, Waimate).
All are doing well, and the majority will be fit to return by the Waimate.New Zealand Free Lance, 11 August 1900, Page 3
Dr Thomas, of Timaru, who went away with our Fifth Contingent to seek excitement in South Africa, has sent word that he has been attached to Carrington's force. The little doctor nursed Timaru Rhodes throughout his illness a few years ago, and on the death of the wealthy Rhodes— a family which has a large hand upon the material wealth of other places than Rhodesia — he married the young widow. Mrs Rhodes brought her husband an income of £4,000 a year. Little wonder that with such prosperity Dr Thomas found Timaru dull and quiet. Captain Hayhurst, who has a rent roll of £5,000 a year, found Timaru and Temuka combined so dull that he sought a change in South Africa — and found the work hard, the rations uncertain, the water without any whisky, and the ground without any soft spots. So he came back.
Evening Post, 21 July 1900, Page 6
CASUALTIES AMONG THE NEW ZEALANDERS.
A CONSIDERABLE LIST. The Premier has received a cablegram from the High Commissioner of British South Africa, reporting the following casualties among the mounted infantry 'at Reitvile on 16th July : —
Severely wounded — Lieut. John Findlay (Temuka).
Missing — Captain L. Bourne Third Contingent, Timaru
Privates A. Cone (Rangiora), C. E. Cross (Fairlie), R. D. Smith (Waimate)Otago Witness, Issue 2428, 26 September 1900, Page 30
NEW ZEALANDERS RELEASED
WELLINGTON, September 18,
The Premier has received the following cablegram from Sir A. Milner, dated the 17th inst.: — " The "New ' Zealand prisoners of war released at Nooitgedaeht were :
Lance-sergeant M'Donald (Hastings)
Lance corporal T. B. Richardson (Hawke's Bay)
Troopers T. M. Davis (Hawke's Bay), J. C.~ Hughes (Napier), H. T. Whitson (Hawke's Bay), R. D. Smith (Waimate), J. W. Hairlson - (Cheviot), J. Kennington (Marlborough) . W. M'Lennan (Wanganui), R. M'Culloch (Waipawa), R. Lloyd (Hawera), J. Wright (Wanganui), J. T. Anderson (Napier), A. C. Cone (Rangiora); C. E. Cross (Fairlie), J. O'Dwyer (Blenheim), and F. E. M'Kenzie (who enlisted in South Africa). This accounts for all the New Zealand prisoners who were captured at Reit Vlei on the 16th July.Otago Witness, 5 December 1900, Page 20
Mr John Nixon, a member of the Mackenzie Mounted Rifles, left Fairlie on Wednesday morning for South Africa. He intends joining the Mounted Police.Taranaki Herald, 4 September 1901, Page 2
The Premier has received the following cable message from South, Africa: — Departures from Cape Town by the steamer Sophocles are: Sixth Contingent: A. J. Davidson, Fairlie, Canterbury.Timaru Herald Wednesday Dec. 5 1900
The Timaru Main School had a holiday yesterday, in honour of Captain Crawshaw, their teacher absent on leave in South Africa, "being mentioned in despatches" for gallantry in the field. Wounded.New Zealand Free Lance, 8 December 1900, Page 3
Wellington has had an interesting personage within its gates during the week in "Banjo" Paterson. Thanks to his rollicking lines in the "Bulletin" during the past ten years, "Banjo" is a name which is known throughout the Southern Seas — as well in Wellington as in Sydney. This is the poet's first visit to Maoriland, but he assures us that it won't be his last. He would like to linger longer here, but that he desires to be in at the Commonwealth festivities. According to "Banjo" Paterson the New Zealanders have earned a solid reputation in South Africa as adepts in the art of looting. In spite of the prohibition of the Provost-Marshal against the practice, they "got there" every time. It was no uncommon sight, saith the veracious chronicler, to see a New Zealand sergeant palavering with a Dutch vow at the front door while in the back-yard the troopers were chasing and murdering the poultry. "Banjo" says he never saw an Australian or a New Zealander pay for anything, and yet they never were without turkeys, pigs, and poultry. They were left to look after their own feeding, and they looked after it uncommonly well.Timaru Herald Friday Dec. 7 1900
The Casualties at Reitfontein.
Capetown, Dec. 5th
Second Contingent Dangerously wounded: Farrier-Sergeant R.E. Smith (Timaru).
Second Contingent: Trooper J. Goldstone (Waimate)
Second Contingent: Captain Crawshaw (Timaru)
Mr Crawshaw, father, at Oamaru received a telegram. His son has a slight wound in the abdomen, not penetrating. He is now at Pretoria.Wanganui Herald, 10 January 1901, Page 1
KILLED IN ACTION.
First Contingent - Sergeant Byrne, Timaru.
Second Contingent - Farrier-sergeant R. E. Smith, Timaru
DIED
Second Contingent - Trooper Bourn, Timaru.
Third Contingent -
Trooper T. L. Scott, Timaru.
Trooper Moffatt, Timaru.
WOUNDED
Second Contingent - Corporal Crawshaw (severely), Timaru
Lieutenant Findlay, Temuka.
Trooper Knubley, Timaru.
Trooper J. Gladstone (severely), Waimate.Evening Post, 19 January 1901, Page 5
ROLL OF MEN EMBARKING AT WELLINGTON. The roll of the Sixth Contingent is now complete as far as the men to embark at Wellington is concerned, and is as follows :
No. 19 Company (Canterbury). —
J. Alexander, Timaru
M. T. Blyth, Timaru
A. Burns, Timaru
L. C. Burke, Timaru
G. Bateman, Waimate
J. Cabot, Timaru (late First Contingent)
J. Cassidy, Pleasant Point
W. Cullen, Timaru
H. Cooling, Woodbury
C. Ellen, Waimate
5 W. Mathews, Timaru
C. J. Martin, Timaru
J. J. Melton, Timaru
A. M. McIntosh, Timaru (late Third Contingent)
S. J. Pye, Temuka
W. H. Rippiugale, Waimate
J. W. Rippingale, Temuka
J. B. Rippingale, Waimate
F. W. Sawer, Waimate
J. Scott, Temuka
S. W. Slates, Timaru
G. C. Talbot, Timaru
T. Vincent, Timaru
F. E. West, Timaru
No. 20 (Otago) Company
C. Cunningham, WaimateEvening Post, 27 July 1901, Page 5
The Premier has received the following cable from Capetown: — At Lindique, 18th July — Seventh Contingent, Walter Miller (Lower Hutt) and William Rutherford (Glen-iti, Timaru), both slightly wounded.Evening Post, 7 August 1901, Page 6
RETURNED TROOPERS.
DUNEDIN, This Day. Forty troopers from South Africa, returned by the Waihora this morning, and wore met and welcomed at the wharf. Lieutenant Elder, of Wellington, is in charge The Northern men will leave to-morrow. With the exception of one or two who are suffering from measles, all are in fairly good health. Trooper O' Hagan, of the Imperial Light Horse, belonging to either Oamaru or Timaru, died on board the troopship Britannic, and was buried at sea.Evening Post, 31 December 1901, Page 5 Eighth Contingent
The following are the officers so far appointed to the Eighth Contingent : — Captain, H. L. Bourne, Timaru, late of the Third Contingent. Timaru Selection:
Sergeant J. Greigg,
Troopers W. Clouston, J. O. Findlay, R. J. Brown (all of Second Contingent), Troopers J. Henderson, J. W. Canavan, T. R. Moss (Third Contingent)
E. G. Worthington (Brabant's Horse)
A. Miller (Kitchener's Horse)
E. Dean (South African Light Horse)
and two members of the South Canterbury Mounted Rifles — Farrier-Corporal C. C. M'Phedran and Trooper K. C. White.Evening Post, 31 December 1901, Page 5
Fairlie district.— H. Bailey (a son of Lieut.-Colonel Bailey, and late sergeant Kitchener's Horse), J. M. Todd and R. Pinkerton (Mackenzie Mounted Rifles), W. Newton (Geraldine Mounted Rifles), George Davies and Thomas Kidd (civilians). R. J. M'Lean was also picked in case of a vacancy.Evening Post, 17 December 1901, Page 5
THE DISTRICT QUOTAS. The Acting-Commandant of the New Zealand Forces (Major Owen) has issued detailed general instructions to the officers commanding the different districts', and from those orders we take the following information : — Recruits are to be drawn from the following centres in in the proportion given :
Canterbury district — Culverden, Rangiora, Sheffield, Fairlie, and Waimate 6 each, Ashburton and Timaru 12 each, Christchurch 148 ; total, 202 rank and file. When each battalion is mobilised, it will have the following officers: — Battalion staff— Commander, second in command, adjutant, paymaster, quartermaster, regimental sergt. major, regimental quartermaster sergeant, assistant Q.M.S., orderly - room sergeant and corporal ; medical staff, two surgeon-captains, two dispensers (corporals), veterinary surgeon-captain and his dispenser. Each of the four companies forming a battalion will have a captain, four lieutenants, a sergeant-major, quartermastersergt., four sergeants, two farrier-sergts., a saddler-sergt., six corporals, and a bugler. The whole contingent will therefore have eight captains and 32 subalterns.
Officers commanding districts are instructed to appoint Recruiting Boards at each centre at once, the Boards to consist of two volunteer officers (preferably officers of mounted corps), and one medical officer. The services of the Government, Medical Health Officers are to be utilised where possible. Officers of the Volunteer Medical Staff may also be pressed into the service, and receive pay as per regulations for three days. In cases where the medical officer is a Government Health Officer, 5s per man passed is to be paid, and 7s 6d per man when the examination is by a Volunteer Medical Staff officer. No travelling expenses are to be paid to medical men, but free railway passes will be granted.Evening Post, 6 January 1902
OAMARU, This Day. The North Otago section of the Eighth Contingent went north on Saturday afternoon. The men were given a good send-off. The men chosen from South Canterbury are as follows: —
From Timaru and district — James Greig, Gleniti ; W. Clouston, Geraldine; J. C. Findlay, Temuka; R. J. Brown, T. R. Moss, K. Alex. Millar, and Ken. C. White, Timaru; James Henderson and J. W. Canavan, Orari ; Edward Dean, Geraldine ; L. E. J. Worthington, Pleasant Point ; Colin C. M'Phedran, Fairview.
From Fairlie— H. D. Bailey, T. Kidd, W. Newton, R. Pinkerton, J. M. Todd, and J. R. M'Lean.
From Waimate — H. J. Gluyas, W. R. Jackson, T. H. Williams, A. Rattray, L. Horley, and N. T. Thomas.Wanganui Herald, 19 February 1902, Page 3
The Casualty Office, Capetown, reports the death, from enteric, at Wakerssroom, of Trooper A. McKay, of the Sixth Contingent. He belonged to Silverstream, Fairlie district.Hawera & Normanby Star, 19 February 1902, Page 2
A. McKay, of the Sixth New Zealand Mounteds, died of enteric at Wakkerstroom. This is probably Private Alexander Henry McKay, son of Mr John McKay, Silverstream, Fairlie, and a member of the Canterbury special section of the Sixth Contingent.Evening Post, 3 April 1902, Page 5
By the Athenic which arrived yesterday from Capetown, the following soldiers -arrived at Wellington Private Graham, South African Light Horse (Timaru).
Corporal Byrne
Byrne, William Joseph
Rank Last Held: Corporal
Serial No.: 203
War: Anglo-Boer War (SA), 1899-1902
Date of Death: 28 May 1900
Place of Death: Klipriversburg (or Van Wyk's Vlei), Transvaal
Cause of Death: Hit by a shell in the head
Cemetery Name: Soldiers' Cemetery, Johannesburg, South Africa
Obituary: New Zealand Herald, 5 June 1900
Enlistment Occupation: Miller
First Rank: Trooper
Embarkation Date: 21 October 1899 Wellington, S.S. Waiwera (ship)
Embarkation Unit: 1st New Zealand Mounted Rifles. 2nd Company
Unit Last: 1st New Zealand Mounted Rifles
Military Awards: Imperial South African War MedalTimaru Herald Tuesday 5th June 1900
The company parade of the Timaru Rifles, Captain Beckingham in command, held last evening, was well attended. The corps had not been long at drill, when the sad news came of Corporal Byrne's death in South Africa, and Captain Beckingham at once dismissed the parade.
Last night Captain Gillies received a telegram from the Hon. Hall-Jones, which stated that William Joseph Byrne had been killed in action, and that F. Knubley had been severely wounded. "The following casualties occurred near Johannesburg on may 28th: - No. 113, W.J. Byrne, killed. No. 400, Francis Clissold Knubley, {Second Contingent under Major Cradock,) severely wounded; and No. 144, Alexander Hastie, slightly wounded." Trooper Knubley, is a son of Mr M.J. Knubley, solicitor, of Timaru.
The usual meeting of the Aloysian Society was called for last evening, but immediately adjourned on receipt of the sad news of the death of Corporal Willie Byrne in South Africa. It was also resolved that the secretary send a letter of condolence to the late Corporal Byrne's family, deeply sympathising with them in their bereavement.The very sad news of the death of Corporal Byrne cast quite a gloom over Timaru last night, and his many friends here both among the volunteers and in other circles, expressed the deepest regret and sympathy with his father, mother, and sisters in their irreparable bereavement. Partings are always sad yet we are sure that the hundreds of people here on the departure of Willie Byrne, will often recall as a memory of regret his cheerfulness on bidding them farewell. He was one of the first to volunteer and as a non-commissioned officer had ably assisted his comrades of the First Contingent in the war in South Africa. He was the second son of Mr T. Byrne (his eldest brother, Daniel, is a member of the Fourth Contingent) a very old resident of Timaru, and saw his first service as a volunteer in the old C Battery of Artillery, joining this corps on the 21st February, 1894, when he was 17 years nine months old. On the disbanding of the Battery he joined the City Rifles, and had been in that company for about three years when he was accepted for service in South Africa. He was employed at the Belford mill. On receipt of the news at The Priory the Rev. Father Tubman directed that the bell at the church of the Sacred Heart be tolled, the deceased soldier having been a member of his flock. Born at South Rakaia in 1876, he net his death on the battlefield just on 24 years of age.
Wednesday 6 June 1900
Most of the flags that were flying before were withdrawn yesterday, those that were flown being at half-mast. At Messrs Ballantyne and Co.'s all the windows were in mourning, a shutter board being left in the middle of each. The deceased soldier's sisters are in the employ of the firm. The Mayor of Timaru, on behalf of the town and district, has sent a letter of condolence to Mr and Mrs Byrne.Hawera & Normanby Star, 14 April 1902, Page 3
THE CORONATION CONTINGENT
Wellington, April 14. The following are the names of those selected to form the European portion of the Coronation Contingent :
J. D. King, Timaru (Second)
J. Goldstone, Waimate (Second)
C. Moody, Woodend (Second)
J. G. Cooper, Ashburton (Third)
C. E. Cross, Fairlie (Third)
T.R. Butters, North East Valley... (Fifth)==============================
During the Boer War period New Zealand Mounted Rifles had a left hand facing collar fern.
One day, beloved, do come for me
over the waves of the parting sea.
Past the cross on the shell-torn hill,
Past the memories pale and still,
You, immortal, my hopes fulfil
With the promise of joys to be.
Mother.
Evening Post, 11 November 1905
THE CRY OF THE SLAIN. The following poem, by Lucy Lyttelton in the Spectator,
bears as its motto, "'Many of the bodies of those killed in the Boer War are
being removed to the town cemeteries." It is not without a local application.
Correspondents in our own columns have now protested against a similar practice
in this colony. In one instance this was particularly regrettable, the
resting-place of one of the heroes of the Maori War having been specifically
indicated in a fine passage in Domett's fine poem. The spot was beautiful in the
extreme, and was close to the place where he fell, but the remains were
afterwards transferred to a crowded town cemetery.
What is the cry that breaks in on our sleeping?
Who is it cometh to trouble our rest,
Coming to bear us away to the city,
Crying our graves are apart and unblest
Is not our blood more than oil of anointing,
Bullet-scored rock than the shade of a dome,
More than the fairest of marble engraving
Praise of our country and tears of our home?
Are not the prayers that our comrades prayed o'er us
While the shrill ballet sped fierce on its "way
More than the blessing a stranger can give us,
More than the prayers that unmenaced ye pray?
Leave, us to lie where the bullet hath laid us,
Valley or plain or the stony hillside.
Deep in the trench that our comrades have made us,
Out in the wilds where we suffered and died.
It is not unknown for the given age to be increased for one war then decreased for the next e.g. Boer War / WWI.