TASMANIANS IN THE ANGLO BOER WAR: first contingent
The following images are thumbnails only having been reduced to minimal size. If you wish to view the image in its original format, please refer to the Weekly Courier and Tasmanian Mail LINC.
No full size images are given on this website due to uncertain copyright restrictions. These thumbnails are intended simply as a preview indexed to the relevant Weekly Courier issue date and page.
No full size images are given on this website due to uncertain copyright restrictions. These thumbnails are intended simply as a preview indexed to the relevant Weekly Courier issue date and page.
Tasmanian Mounted Infantry
Departed 28 October 1899, returned 7 December 1900
THOMAS JOSEPH GALVIN
Trooper Thomas Galvin died of enteric fever at a military hospital in Pretoria on 19 August 1900. Galvin left Tasmania with the second contingent on 18 January 1900. He enlisted at Beaconsfield where he had been employed for several years at a Tasmanian mine. He was a native of Launceston where he received his education and later worked as a cabinet maker. In his last letter home dated 18 July 1900, he stated he was in good health.
A memorial lamp was unveiled in Beaconsfield in August 1902. |
ERNEST CHAMBERS EVANS
Lieutenant Evans was the son of Hubert Beard Evans, shipowner of Hobart, and brother of Leslie Arthur Evans of the Agricultural Department. He was educated at Hutchins School in Hobart, was a member of the Sandy Bay Rifle Corps and at the time of his death was in his 21st year.
Evans went out to war from Tasmania in the transport Chicago. He served under Major Cameron and almost immediately on arrival in Africa was made acting-lieutenant of the Midland Mounted Infantry. He was afterwards placed in charge at Klipplaat. Evans died from from a gunshot wound to the head on 16 August 1901. It is not clear whether it was self-inflicted. For more information, check the following link. |
HARRY EDWARD BRANSGROVE
Harry Bransgrove, son of William Bransgrove, a butcher on Murray Street, Hobart, was an adventurer, who had travelled widely, particularly in South Africa. In 1898, Harry sold two zebras to President Kruger to be presented as gifts to the Emperor of Germany. He returned to South Africa in 1899 with a mission to capture some wild animals for Fitzgerald’s circus.
When war broke out in late 1899, Harry was in Johannesburg. He was then commandeered but protested, saying he wanted to be at peace and that he could not shoot. However, his protestations were of no avail and he was marched off to Pretoria and offered a choice of joining the Ambulance Corps or going to prison. He chose the former. While carrying out his duties he was wounded in the leg and taken back to Pretoria where he was detained. When he was able to walk again, Harry pointed out to the Boers that food supplies were becoming scarce and volunteered to go to Delagoa Bay to start forwarding provisions. They fell into the trap and gave him passport for his safe travel to his destination. When Harry arrived there, he got onboard a ship going to Durban and so got away. From Durban he reached Cape Town and then on to Hobart. Harry died at Johannesburg on 4 August 1908 in his 36th year. |
VICTOR STANLEY PEERS
The first Tasmanian reported wounded in the campaign hailed from Zeehan, though he was born at Deniliquin in New South Wales on 20 December 1874. He came with his parents to Tasmania when quite young living on the North West Coast until 1891, when his father was appointed as headmaster of the state school at Zeehan.
Up to the time of his departure for South Africa Victor was working as braceman at Western Mine. He had been with the company for a few years during which time he won the esteem both of his employers and mates. Mining in its higher branches also occupied his time as a student at the Zeehan School of Mines. Lance Corporal Peers was wounded at Jasfontein where according to him, the Australians got their first taste of real warfare. He was hit in the neck, the bullet going in under the ear and coming out at the back of the neck. In its course it cut away some nerves and, although the wound healed, the head at times throbbed intensely. He had to go down to Cape Town until he recovered. Peers rejoined the Tasmanian Mounted Infantry near Bloemfontein. On 10 May 1900, however, his leg was severely jammed by his horse while crossing the Zand River. He went right on in the march to Pretoria, however, at Edendale the leg had become so bad that he had to go into a field hospital at Transvaal for treatment and thence to a hospital in Cape Town. Peers received an enthusiastic reception when he returned to Zeehan on 19 September 1900. Flags were flying everywhere as he was greeted by several thousands of men, women and children at the station, which can be seen in the photo at left. In April 1902, Peers returned to South Africa to fill a position in the Cape Town Government Railways to which he had been appointed. He remained in South Africa until his death in 1940. As an amateur archeologist, Peers gained world renown when he discovered skeletons and artefacts in a cave at the very southern tip of South Africa. The cave was at that time seen as one of the most important archeological discoveries yet found in South Africa. For more information, check the following link. |
MORRIS BEST
Morris was three weeks in a Cape Town hospital with enteric fever but rejoined his regiment after recovery.
Prior to his departure for South Africa, Morris distinguished himself by saving a life in the River Forth in Barrington. Two brothers, Arthur and Sydney Russell, were brought to shore but only one survived. Morris was due to leave for Hobart the following day with two other lads, Lyon and Lupton. He was, however, detained for the inquest into the death of Sydney Russell. A few days later, after the inquest, Morris was then able to make his way to the capital along with George Judge and Edward Packett, making five altogether from the Kentish district. Morris returned to his hometown on 10 December 1900. He and his fellow troopers were given a rapturous applause when they disembarked from the train at Railton station. |
CHARLES ARTHUR PARISH
Private Charles Parish of Beaconsfield was invalided home from South Africa together with Victor Peers in September 1900.
Parish went with the second contingent and joined the first at Karree Siding, seeing all the service that followed. Parish was beset by sciatica throughout the campaign and went through the same hospitals as Peers, and on discharge were invalided home. Parish and Peers spoke highly of their treatment in all the hospitals and while regretting that they were not able to see the war through, they were delighted to be back at home. Lance Corporal Peers and Privates Best and Parish were medically examined on their return and granted three months furlough on full pay. |
REGINALD WIGMORE GABY AND GEORGE ARTHUR WALKER
The steamer Karamea with a 110 invalided Australian soldiers arrived at Hobart on 27 July 1900. Troopers Gaby and Walker were the only two men of the Tasmanian contingent onboard. The rest were from other colonies and New Zealand.
After being cheered by thousands of people congregated on the pier, the two men were led to the Imperial Coffee Palace where they sat down to a sumptuous spread. They were then issued with clothes, hats, boots etc. and £5.00. On the following day, Gaby and Walker were each medically examined with a view to being sent on sick leave up until the end of which time they will receive their full pay. Both men expressed their desire to rejoin the defence force. Gaby of Scottsdale did in fact return to South Africa, serving as sergeant on the second tour in 1902. He was in South Africa just two months when the war ended. On his return, he moved to Nabageena where he established a dairy farm. It is not known what became of Walker. The photo at left depicts some of the invalided Australian soldiers who returned from South Africa on the Karamea. It is believed Gaby and Walker are standing at far right. |
CHARLES FREDERICK PEDDER
Trooper Pedder, who was a member of the first Tasmanian Contingent, which sailed from Launceston on 27 October 1899, returned by the steamer Coogee, invalided, on 16 August 1901.
Pedder's first experience under fire was at Rensburg where Gilham and Button were killed. At that place the contingent had several skirmishes extending over a week and they had to retire on many occasions owing to the Boers being in strong force in the district. It was not long after that Pedder was struck down with pneumonia. From Cape Town, Pedder was shipped to Melbourne, however, en route on the voyage he had the misfortune to contract enteric fever. After several months convalescing at the Prince Albert Hospital in Melbourne, Pedder returned to hometown, Bellerive. |
HENRY MITCHELL BLACK
Twenty year old Trooper Black of Cressy died from enteric fever in the field hospital at Bloemfontein on 18 April 1900. He had been ill for about ten days. Since landing in South Africa, Black had been mostly confined to hospital through sickness.
In a letter to his mother dated 12 March 1900, Black wrote: "I am out of the hospital now and am strong and well again. I hope I will not be in the hospital again for I saw some terrible sights while I was there." After making reference to passing events he concluded, "Remember me to all my friends till I see old Tassie again." |
THOMAS WILLIAM BARKER
Thomas William Barker of Preservation Bay, Penguin, died enteric fever at Deelfontein, South Africa, on 15 June 1900.
Major Brown of Ulverstone was the one who received notification from the Tasmanian Premier of Barker’s demise. Being unable to proceed personally to Penguin, immediately sent communication to Reverend C Mason, upon whom devolved the duty of breaking the news to his parents. Barker was well known as a smart and intelligent soldier as well as for his honesty and straightforwardness. He was a member of the Primitive Methodist Church and a teacher in the Sunday school. Prior to his death, he acted for some time as orderly to Lieutenant Wallace Brown in South Africa. He was 26. |
HENRY ALLWRIGHT BETTS
Betts was killed near Donkerpoch on 20 June 1900. He was 21 years of age and a native of Hobart.
According to Lieutenant Heritage, he had been ordered to send out a patrol of three men to the front to communicate with the Victorians. He therefore sent Lance Corporal Betts and Privates Smith and Williams. They had been gone half an hour when the lieutenant heard the familiar pot of the Mauser several times and guessed that the patrol had been fired on. Shortly afterwards, three horses came galloping madly back and one of them was riderless. A doctor was sent out with a Red Cross flag and returned shortly after with the news that Betts had been shot through the heart. Lieutenant Heritage later wrote: “Bett’s death was a great shock to me as I had been chatting with him while eating lunch half an hour previously and he was in excellent spirits, telling me of his prospects in Tasmania, he being a third class pupil teacher in the Macquarie Street State School, and he intended to go on with teaching and make his mark. He had only been promoted a fortnight before and was a most promising soldier.” Five weeks earlier, Corporal Briant wrote: “My horse in the meantime got shot in the leg and chest. I had to let it go. I ran for about 200 yards when Betts came galloping along behind me and stopped. I got my foot in his stirrup and lay across his saddle. He then galloped out of the firing line. Only for him I must have been taken prisoner.” |
ALFRED BUTTON
Private Alfred Button, a native of Perth aged 23, was killed in action in the early part of the South African campaign, on 9 February 1900. Button was involved in a skirmish in Rensburg in which two soldiers were killed and five captured.
After the skirmish, confusion reigned as to whether it was Button or John Hutton that was killed. In March 1901, the Premier received a telegram from the High Commissioner in South Africa stating that it was Private John Hutton who was killed and that Button was very much alive and being held as prisoner. This was confirmed in a correspondence to Button’s family from a fellow trooper that, “Alf has indeed been caught and made prisoner. He is not killed.” The letter was dated 18 April 1900. Finally, the long expected letter from John Hutton, who was so long mourned as dead reached his parents in Ulverstone. The letter was penned on 24 June 1900: “I suppose by this time you have had a cable message telling you of my safe return to camp. Of course it was no use writing in prison as very few if any letters got through. I have been picturing in my mind what a state you all must have been in.” This was followed by a letter from Major Cameron to Button's family dated 10 August 1900: “It is with extreme regret that I have to inform you that there is no doubt that Alfred Button met his death in the action near Jasfontein on 9 February 1900.” The second victim in the skirmish was Thomas Albert Gilham, who had resided at Ulverstone for 12 months and worked at Evans’ sawmills. He left behind a wife and ten children, the youngest aged 3. |
A J REYNOLDS, H HALLAM, M H SWAN, J McCORMICK AND G F RICHARDSON
In September 1900, six Imperial commissions were offered to the following Tasmanians: Troopers Richardson, Hallam, Smith, Swan, McCormick, Giblin and Lieutenant Reynolds.
Reynolds who prior to joining the contingent was lieutenant in the local forces. With a desire to take part in the Boer War, Reynolds joined the ranks and served throughout the campaign until November 1900, and he was with Lord Roberts from Bloemfontein to Pretoria and earned favourable opinions of those with whom he was associated. In March 1901, he was awarded a commission in the South Staffordshire Regiment and was ordered to join the regiment in South Africa.
According to Trooper Richardson of Zeehan, “It is the chance of a lifetime as there are no examination to pass to enter the army, that is in these special cases.”
Shortly after the announcement of the Imperial commissions, Richardson was wounded in Transvaal (September 1900), when he received a gunshot wound to his right thigh. It is possible he was deemed medically unfit to undertake the commission and instead returned to South Africa with the fourth contingent i.e. Second Tasmanian Imperial Bushman along with Morton Henry Swan and Harry Hallam. All three were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Richardson was subsequently awarded the Queen’s Medal with five clasps and King’s Medal with two clasps.
Reynolds who prior to joining the contingent was lieutenant in the local forces. With a desire to take part in the Boer War, Reynolds joined the ranks and served throughout the campaign until November 1900, and he was with Lord Roberts from Bloemfontein to Pretoria and earned favourable opinions of those with whom he was associated. In March 1901, he was awarded a commission in the South Staffordshire Regiment and was ordered to join the regiment in South Africa.
According to Trooper Richardson of Zeehan, “It is the chance of a lifetime as there are no examination to pass to enter the army, that is in these special cases.”
Shortly after the announcement of the Imperial commissions, Richardson was wounded in Transvaal (September 1900), when he received a gunshot wound to his right thigh. It is possible he was deemed medically unfit to undertake the commission and instead returned to South Africa with the fourth contingent i.e. Second Tasmanian Imperial Bushman along with Morton Henry Swan and Harry Hallam. All three were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Richardson was subsequently awarded the Queen’s Medal with five clasps and King’s Medal with two clasps.
THE CORONATION CORPS
After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, applications were called from those serving in the Boer to represent Tasmania at the coronation of King Edward VII. One of the conditions was that those who had applied had to sink in rank i.e. go as privates or miss the coveted trip.
Tasmania was represented by Lieutenant Colonel Cameron (officer commanding), Sergeant Major Costello (regimental sergeant major), Sergeant H J Cox (Launceston), Privates McIntyre, T Ducie (Evandale), Brown (Penguin), Facy (Hobart) and Hynes (Ulverstone). Facy and McIntyre were from the First Bushmen while the rest were from the First Contingent.
The Tasmanian contingent was housed at the Alexander Palace in London, and during temporary leave the English Government allowed 3s 6d per day for "victualling."
In the first photo standing are: H J Cox, G W Hynes, W Ducie, H H Facy and W K McIntyre. Unfortunately, the Weekly Courier listed just five names in the caption.
The caption to the second photo is as follows: Tasmanian soldiers who went from South Africa to the King's coronation in Colonel Watchorn's contingent. Standing from left: G Golder, G Gerrard, C Winfield, a New Zealander, a Canadian, D Sargeant, W Simhons, a New Zealander, E Tilley, a New Zealander, W J White, F Page, W Magrath and J Withington, a Canadian. Kneeling: A Canadian, ditto, B Pegg, a Canadian, L Laughton and C Groom.
The photo at far right is Lieutenant Colonel Cameron, officer commanding the Australian Coronation Contingent.
Tasmania was represented by Lieutenant Colonel Cameron (officer commanding), Sergeant Major Costello (regimental sergeant major), Sergeant H J Cox (Launceston), Privates McIntyre, T Ducie (Evandale), Brown (Penguin), Facy (Hobart) and Hynes (Ulverstone). Facy and McIntyre were from the First Bushmen while the rest were from the First Contingent.
The Tasmanian contingent was housed at the Alexander Palace in London, and during temporary leave the English Government allowed 3s 6d per day for "victualling."
In the first photo standing are: H J Cox, G W Hynes, W Ducie, H H Facy and W K McIntyre. Unfortunately, the Weekly Courier listed just five names in the caption.
The caption to the second photo is as follows: Tasmanian soldiers who went from South Africa to the King's coronation in Colonel Watchorn's contingent. Standing from left: G Golder, G Gerrard, C Winfield, a New Zealander, a Canadian, D Sargeant, W Simhons, a New Zealander, E Tilley, a New Zealander, W J White, F Page, W Magrath and J Withington, a Canadian. Kneeling: A Canadian, ditto, B Pegg, a Canadian, L Laughton and C Groom.
The photo at far right is Lieutenant Colonel Cameron, officer commanding the Australian Coronation Contingent.
JOSEPH BUTLER
Private Joseph T Butler of Evandale, who left with the Second Tasmanian Contingent on 18 January 1900, succumbed to enteric fever at Germiston on 1 June 1900. He was among at least seven members of the regiment reported to have died from the disease, which now known as typhoid. In one city, Bloemfontein, the epidemic alone cost the British Army over a thousand lives. The Boers had seized the water supply and troops had to seek out water elsewhere i.e. wayside pools etc in an unsanitary condition. The precaution of boiling water simply never occurred to them.
In a letter to his father, Edward Charles Hays of Forth wrote: “A good many of our chaps have been sick and laid up but none very seriously except one named Butler from Evandale.” |
Sgt Major James COSTELLO
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Oswald De Wit VAUGHN
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Arthur Walter DENNIS
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Henry Mitchell BLACK
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Charles Morrison STEPHENSON
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Nominal Roll
The following link is an excerpt from the Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa compiled by Lieutenant Corporal Pembroke Lathrop Murray in 1911. It includes full names, rank, promotions, honours and deaths specific to the State of Tasmania for the Mounted Infantry.
Please note that not all names are listed in the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa. If you fail to find the person you're looking for, you can search the complete register by surname at the following website: Australians in the Boer War.