WELLINGTON COLLEGE OLD BOYS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR (BOER WAR: 1899-1902)
WELLINGTON COLLEGE OLD BOYS IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN WAR (BOER WAR: 1899-1902)
Research, photos and content compiled by Mike Pallin, Wellington College Archivist.
Layout by Steph Kane, Wellington College Old Boys’ Association.
WELLINGTON | 2024
The South African War (also known as the Second Anglo-Boer War) was the first overseas conflict to involve New Zealand troops. Fought between the British Empire and the Boer South African Republic (Transvaal) and its Orange Free State ally.
Concerned about German interest in southern Africa, the British Empire annexed the Boer South African Republic (Transvaal) in 1877 to ensure the security of its own South African territories.
The Boers resented British rule and regained a semblance of independence after defeating British forces in the (First) Anglo-Boer War of 1880 - 1881. But the discovery of gold in Transvaal in 1886 drew more British settlers to the region. When the Boers refused to grant these uitlanders (foreigners) citizenship, tension began to grow between the two communities.
On 9 October, 1899 the Transvaal government demanded the withdrawal of British troops from its border and the recall of all overseas reinforcements. When the British ignored this ultimatum, Transvaal invaded Natal on 12 October. The Boers of Transvaal and the adjoining Orange Free State were now officially at war with the British Empire.
New Zealand Premier Richard Seddon (pictured left) had offered to send troops two weeks before fighting began. Hundreds of men applied to serve, and by the time the war began in October 1899, the First Contingent was already preparing to depart for South Africa.
British-born, Richard John Seddon was a New Zealand politician who served as the 15th Premier of New Zealand from 1893 until his death in office in 1906.
Over the course of the war, 1899 to 1902, New Zealand sent ten contingents to South Africa. Around 85 Wellington College Old Boys volunteered, being represented in all ten contingents as well as with other units. Five died during the course of the war, four from Enteric (Typhoid) and one killed during action against the Boers.
Five Old Boys joined and trained at a camp established at Campbell’s farm in Karori, now Ben Burn Park.
Trooper Charles Edward Henry Enderby saw the whole of the Orange River campaign up to the capture of Pretoria. He was then appointed to special service on the railways, but unfortunately fell a victim to enteric fever and died at Pretoria, on 25 July. One of our best soldiers and respected by all, is the comment of Lieut.-Col. Robin on the deceased trooper. Attended Wellington College 1884 - 1885.
Trooper Alfred George Fordham. Attended Wellington College 18921893. In the cricket XI of 1893 and member of the 2nd XV at Football. On leaving school, he served at first as a cadet on a sheep-station and then in Seager’s Foundry to qualify himself as an engineer. He was well known in Association Football circles (winning the medal for the best back in his team). Has served right through the campaign. Died 1964.
Corporal James Alexander Horne. Attended Wellington College 1890 - 1891. Since leaving, he has been engaged in the Stamps Department of the Civil Service. James was a member of the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles. With General French to Kimberley, and thence to Bloemfontein and the rest of the campaign, including the relief of Baden-Powell at Rustenberg and the chase after De Wet. He describes the country on the march to the west of Pretoria as very beautiful, growing oranges and bananas and other sub-tropical fruits, and producing the best of the South African tobacco. Died, 1930.
Trooper James Walter Nairn. Attended Wellington College in 1896. Since leaving school, has been farming on his father’s properties at Khandallah and Horokiwi. Member of Heretaunga Mounted Infantry. Though playfully called the ‘Little Jim’ of the First Contingent, he has proved that size is not necessarily a test of endurance, for he is one of the very few, that have seen the campaign through from end to end. Colesburg, Kimberley, Paardeberg, Bloemfontein, Sanna Post (or Koornspruit), Pretoria, Rustenberg - it is a record that any man might be proud of. Trooper Nairn returned with the Harlech Castle with the remnant of the First Contingent. At Sanna Post, Trooper Nairn had a very narrow escape. He was one of the last to move, and when he did his horse was at once shot under him, he himself landing with his head among her heels. With face smeared with blood and dust, he grabbed his rifle and his hat, and swung himself up behind a trooper who was retiring in hot haste. Though the Boers were only 400 yards away, the pair made their escape without further mishap, ‘Little Jim’ eventually making his entry into Bloemfontein on a Shetland pony. Died, 1973
Corporal William Alfred
Saunders. Attended
Wellington College 1886. Since leaving school, he has been farming at Otautau, near Invercargill. William saw the first campaign through to the fall of Pretoria, and as he was orderly to Captain Ward, who was on the staff of General French, had an opportunity, such as few have afforded them, of looking behind the scenes. Was the fourth man of the relief column to enter Kimberley. Invalided home, suffering from enteric. He has been selected to form one of the New Zealand Contingents for the Australian Commonwealth Celebrations. Died, 1957.
Corporal W. Sanders writes to the College about the 1st Contingent’s early actions.
“The journey to the front does not call for any special mention, and the fact of having been mentioned in despatches, coupled with the names of the Royal Horse Artillery in the movements around Colesberg, under General French, shows that early in the campaign we acquitted ourselves well. But our greatest glory was won on the now historical march to the relief of Kimberley. That was the time when men were tired, and we came through the ordeal with the highest honours. Six days marching, both horses and men on short rations, water bad and very scarce nearly the whole way; two engagements with the enemy, and on the whole march only seventeen hours sleep. The number of horses that are estimated to have fallen on that march is put down at anything from 100 to 1000, and yet among those figures, not one New Zealand horse had to be included. Could any colony ever want a better testimonial to its horses and horsemen. We were the only regiment that completed the whole march, having started nearly thirty-six hours in advance of the main column from Grange River, in charge of a big transport.
The regiment were well represented at Paardeberg when Cronje surrendered, and further on at the engagements at Poplar Grove and Driefontein, and the entry into Bloemfontein. Another portion were chosen as part of the escort to the biggest transport train of wagons, which was over seventeen miles in length, and comprised nearly 800 wagons, and eight miles of naval guns and ammunition column”.
The 1st Contingent march up Karori Road on their way to Wellington Harbour, 21 October 1899.
Trooper Frederick Saville Broome. Attended Wellington College 1891 - 1893. On leaving College, joined the staff of the A.M.P. Society in Wellington. He was a well-known athlete and footballer (Oriental Club).
Among other performances on the track, he won the Old Boys’ 100yds at one of our sports day meetings. While on active service in the Orange Free State, he had a very narrow escape with his life, as a shell blew his horse to pieces under him, without doing him any harm. Not very tall, he was yet of splendid physique, but in spite of this the irregularities of the campaign, such as the badness of the food and the water, brought on dysentery and then enteric, as a result he succumbed in hospital at Johannesburg, July 23, 1900.
Trooper Frederick Ernest Howard Harcourt. Attended Wellington College 18881889, after which he went to Wanganui Collegiate School. On leaving school, he entered the service of the Commercial Union Assurance Co., and eventually the same department in the office of his father, Mr. J. B. Harcourt. Died, 1928.
Trooper Henry (Harry)
Godfrey Heywood. Attended Wellington College 18941895 and a was prominent player both on the Cricket and Football fields. Since leaving school, he was engaged in farming and station work, first at Akaroa, then at Kaikoura, and finally on a run in the Wairarapa. With the exception of a short visit to Bloemfontein Hospital for treatment of the eyes, Harry saw the campaign through, and at last advice was engaged in chasing the slippery De Wet.
Trooper Alister Henry McTavish. Hotchkiss Battery. He left with the 2nds. Attended Wellington College 1894 - 1897. He was a member of the Football team of 1897, and Colour-Sergeant in the Cadet Corps. He then attended Lincoln Agricultural College for two sessions, and then spent some time in practical farming near Pahiatua. Returning to town, he engaged in commercial pursuits, and in the season of 1899, played for the Old Boys’ XV. Delayed with the Battery at the base camp, he eventually joined the Second Contingent and saw active service principally between Bloemfontein and Pretoria.
After training at Island Bay, the 2nd Contingent departed on 20 January 1900.The constant exposure to all sorts of weather brought on a very severe attack of rheumatism, which developed so seriously that it became necessary for him to return home invalided. He was accorded a hearty reception on visiting the College.
Trooper Forrest Gale
Parsons. Hotchkiss Battery. Left with the 2nds. Attended Wellington College 18961897. Forrest was with his father in South Africa at the outbreak of the war, and, although only 17 years old, had volunteered alongside his father for Robert’s Horse. Learning that the N.Z. Hotchkiss Battery were short-handed, they elected to join this force, with which they saw service until sent into hospital at Bloemfontein suffering from enteric. Both were invalided home at the end of July, and so ill was Trooper Forrest Parsons, that when he arrived
back in the Colony, he could not immediately be removed from the ship. Since returning to Kaikoura, however, he has steadily improved. After the war, he intends to settle with his father in South Africa. In WWI, he enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps. On 26 October, 1916 he took off in a BE2d light Bomber. He was killed when shot down by a German plane.
Trooper Herbert Thornton
Richardson. Attended
Wellington College 18931894, and played in the 2nd XV at Football. He was a fine long-distance runner, winning the mile at the school sports and many events after leaving school as a member of the W.A.A.C. He rowed bow in the Star Club’s Junior Fours, season 1896-1897. We congratulate him on being recommended for a commission in the Imperial Army.
The contingent was comprised of two companies, one from Canterbury and one drawn from the Hawke’s Bay, Wanganui, Taranaki and Manawatu regions. Departed 17 February, 1900 from Lyttleton.
Captain John Cameron. Attended Wellington College 1883 - 1884. Member of 1st XV. Action in Diamond Hill, Johannesburg and Orange Free State. Awarded Imperial South African War Medal and Clasp. He then served in WWI. John died of sickness on 2 December, 1916, Egypt. Buried at Cairo War Cemetery.
An Otago businessmen raised support for an Otago-based contingent. The Fourth Contingent departed on 24 March, 1900 from Port Chalmers, and then from Lyttleton on 31 March, 1900.
Trooper Septimus Rutherford McDougall. Attended Wellington College 1896 - 1897. Since leaving school, he was engaged in farming. Septimus was killed in action at Malmani Hill, near Mafeking, at end of August, 1900, while serving with his regiment in Major-General Carrington’s Rhodesian Field Force. (Account of his death next page).
Trooper William McDougall Attended Wellington College 1895 - 1896. Since leaving school, he has been in the service of Levin & Co.
Sergeant Major Guy Charles Powles. Came to Wellington College in 1887 from the Terrace School with an Education Board Scholarship. He then won a Governors’ Scholarship in 1888, and left College at the end of 1889. While in the Cadets, Guy won the Shooting Cup. Since leaving school, he has been engaged in farming in the Rangitikei district until four years ago, when he went to Levin, and there, took up a section in conjunction with his brother. Captain of the Levin Football Club. Served in WWI in the Middle East.
4th New Zealand Regiment on parade at Klerksdorp, Transvaal 26 November, 1900
Lieutenant Richard John Spotswood Seddon. Attended Wellington College 18961897. Since leaving, has been in the employ of Messrs. Briscoe, MacNeil & Co., Wellington. Played in Old Boys’ 1st XV. When the Fourth Contingent arrived at Mafeking, Lieut. Seddon was offered a position on Lord Robert’s staff, accepting which, he has since been appointed an extra aide-de-camp to the Commander-in-Chief. We congratulate Lieutenant Seddon on also being one of the thirty offered commissions in the Imperial Army. Richard was killed in WWI. He was the son of Prime Minister, Richard Seddon.
Lance Corporal William
Maurice Stack. (noted in Wellingtonian but not on WCOB database even though his two brothers are recorded). Private Stack provided his own mount. The community paid to have him outfitted for £70. Lance Corporal Stack saw action in the Transvaal at Bufelshoek, Ottoshoop, Ventersdorp and Krugersdorp. Disease was a constant threat to the troopers in March 1901 L/Cpl Stack was admitted to the hospital at Potchefstoom then transferred to Johannesburg on 28 March, 1901 with Enteric Fever.
Trooper Harry Octavius Tully. Fourth New Zealand Contingent. Attended Wellington College 1886 - 1887. For several years in the service of the Bank of Australasia, Wellington, and for the last few years on a sheep station with his brothers in the Wairarapa.
Trooper Albert Inglis
Wallace. Attended Wellington College 1892 - 94. In the Football team of 1893 and 1894 and in the Cricket XI of 1893. Since leaving, he has been engaged in farming at Levin. Vice-Captain of the Levin Football Club and represented his county (Horowhenua) in its matches.
Trooper Reginald Clarke
Wright. Attended Wellington College 1893. Also served in WWI. Died of wounds 21 August 1915, Egypt.
Trooper Harry Tully describes the action in which Septimus McDougall lost his life. “Our first engagement took place at Lemmer’s Farm near Zeerust. The engagement took place on Thursday, 16 August 1900 and while it lasted, was pretty warm. We heard firing early in the morning, which gradually got hotter and hotter, and about 1.00pm we received orders to mount and advance. We advanced in extended order when nearing the enemy, that is at an interval of ten yards from horse to horse, or, as we say, from knee to knee. As soon as we got within range, the Boers opened fire, but our big guns soon silenced their rifles until we got our horses under cover.
Leaving them in charge of our No. 8s, we advanced to the top of a kopje and under cover of the rifles of the Auckland portion of the No. 4, we crossed the gully intervening between us and the enemy, who by this time were firing for all they were worth and bullets were whistling round us like hail. We got safely across but were so terribly fugged through being in full marching order that before starting to storm the first kopje we lay down to rest for a few minutes. When we got under way again, the bullets were coming thicker than ever, and half way up the hill, poor Sep. McDougall, who was in my section, was shot dead through the forehead, and McArtney was wounded in the leg. The firing was so hot here that our leader, Captain Arbuthnot (an Imperial Officer), gave us permission to fix bayonets, but as soon as the Boers saw the glint of steel they commenced retreating, firing as they went. By this time, Nos. 1 and 2 troops had crossed the gully on horseback and were driving back the Boers who had been peppering us from the right flank. This alone saved us from being outflanked and cut off.
From this rout, we had them beaten and they retired in double quick time. The next day, the Wellington section of the 4th, were relieved and we returned to the wagons for tucker. After our meal, we buried Sep. McDougall and Captain Harvey in the same grave. The hill has since been called Harvey’s Hill. Poor Will McDougall was terribly cut up on hearing of his brother’s death, but the excitement of war does not let one dwell on any subject too long, which is a great mercy”
Heroic Bayonet charge by the New Zealanders: How they saved the Yorkshire Picket and routed the Boers near Slingersfontein. - London Graphic.
Departed 31 March, 1900 from Wellington and Lyttleton. Total strength: 591
(including 71 reserves).
Trooper Norman Herbert Bodmin. Attended Wellington College 1890. 1st XV. Norman joined Major General Carrington’s Rhodesian Field Force Artillery, No. 2 (fifteen pounder) Battery, which was manned by New Zealanders. He was invalided to hospital in Cape Town and returned to New Zealand on the SS Victoria in February 1901. Also served WWI.
Trooper, Frederick Cutten Edwards. Attended Wellington College 18941896 and played five-eight in the Football team of 1896. Was very fast on the track and won the high jump with the fine jump of 5ft. 1½ in. On leaving school, he became associate to Mr. Justice Edwards until September, 1899, when, disliking indoor occupation, he proceeded to Reefton in order to study mining. He left this pursuit in order to join the South African forces.
Trooper John Stuart Fleming
Attended Wellington College 1887 - 1888 and has since for the most part been engaged in station work and farming in the Wairarapa.
Lieutenant John Lane Haselden. Attended
Wellington College 18911897. Law clerk and student at Pahiatua since leaving school. A very fine athlete, with a great turn of speed both on the track and on the Football field. Represented the College in several of the Football tournaments when our Football was at its best. Was a Lieutenant in the College Cadets.
Trooper James Orr. (Trumpeter). Attended Wellington College in 1894 and 1895. Was a bugler in the College Cadets. After leaving school, spent some years in South Australia on a sheep station.
Sergeant William Parsons
Attended Wellington College 1883 - 1884. A good athlete, winning the mile walk at the school sports. Since leaving College, William has been in the Government Printing Office. He was a member of the Wellington Bowling Club and the Wellington Naval Volunteers, in which he made a special study of signalling which has proved of great service in the present campaign, as he has been relieved of all other duties in order to take charge of the signalling squad.
Lieutenant John Gearencieres Rose. Attended Wellington College 18911892. After leaving school, he became a clerk, first in the N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. and latterly in the National Insurance Co. He was a Lieutenant in D. Battery of N.Z. Artillery Volunteers. Then was attached to Major General Pretyman, to the 15 pounders of the 38th Battery, Royal Artillery.
Hon-Lieut, and Qtr.-
Master Ernest Valentine
(Val) Sanderson. Attended Wellington College 18751881. One of the best known of our Old Boys. Since leaving school, has been in the office of the A.M.P. Society, Wellington. As Captain of the Old Boys’ Cricket Club from its inception, he showed a genius for
organisation and a practical enthusiasm, which have stood him in good stead since going to the front. When he left the Colony, he had the position of Qtr.-Master-Sergeant, but since then has been appointed Hon.-Lieutenant and Qtr.-Master of the Regiment. He has always evinced the greatest interest in our ground, and last season took charge entirely of the practice wickets. It is with the very greatest pleasure that we hear of his advancement. He was the founder of the New Zealand Forest and Bird Society in 1923.
Lieutenant Henry (Harry)
Phelps Tuckey. Attended Wellington College 18871888. Since leaving College, he was a law clerk with Messrs. Stafford, Treadwell & Fields. Harry later joined the New Zealand Regiment (Sixth and Seventh Contingents) operating under Brigadier Grey. When acting as ADC to Major Paris, he had the misfortune to share in the disaster to General Metheun’s column at the Battle of Magersfontein.
Colonial Troops crossing a stream under heavy fire.
The Sixth Contingent was established in December, 1900 to replace the First Contingent, which had returned to New Zealand. Departed 30, January 1901 from Auckland.
Trooper Louis William Blundell. Surveyors Assistant. Attended Wellington College 1894.
Trooper Cyril Steed Girdlestone
Bugler. Attended Wellington College 1899. Also served WWI in Samoa.
Trooper Percival (Percy) Clarke
Luxford. Attended Wellington College 1898. Member of Heretaunga Mounted Rifles.
Lieutenant Alfred Barnes Rose
Attended Wellington College 1893 - 1895 Member of College Rifles, Wellington.
Trooper Allan Archibald Cameron
Attended Wellington College 1892 - 1894.
Attended Wellington College 1892-1893
Sergeant William Henry Pike
Wellington College years not recorded. Two years Palmerston North Rifles.
New Zealand troopers from the Sixth Contingent move across open country in South Africa, 1901
Lance Corporal William John Horne
A cold night’s sleep. Members of New Zealand’s Sixth Contingent sleeping out on the veldt.
Trooper Maurice Edward William Fitzgerald. Attended Wellington College 1894. He was severely wounded in the gallant action of the 7th Contingent at Bothasburgh.
Trooper Arthur Drayton Taylor.
Attended Wellington College 1894-1895
Trooper Gordon Stuart James
Attended Wellington College 1896.
The Eighth Contingent was formed in response to British requests for another contingent. Unlike other contingents, men were not required to be members of the Volunteer Force. More than 4000 men applied to join the contingent, but only 1000 were selected. The North Island Regiment departed from Auckland aboard the SS Surrey while the South Island Regiment left from Lyttleton on the SS Cornwall. Both ships arrived in Durban on 15, March 1902.
Trooper Percy Richmond
Climie. Attended Wellington College 1898-1900 then become a cadet in the Lands and Survey Department, Wellington. He was drafted from D Battery, Wellington
Trooper Cyril John McGowan
Attended Wellington College 1896-1898. 1st XV and Old Boys XV 1899.
Trooper George Lawton
Messenger. Attended Wellington College 18981900. Drafted from Post & Telegraph Rifles. Also served in France in WWI.
Pay Master Sergeant Thomas Malcolm
Page. Attended Wellington College 1895 -1897. 1st XV. He became a barrister and solicitor, of Eketahuna.
Corporal Edward John Spotswood
Harvey. Attended Wellington College 1895-1896. Became an Accountant. Served WWI with 12th Nelson regiment and appointed to Lieutenant.
The Seventh Contingent New Zealand Mounted Rifles Troops and Horses resting
Departed 12 March, 1902 from Port Chalmers. 20 March, 1902 from Auckland. Total strength 1071 (including 15 reinforcements). Formed in March 1902, the Ninth Contingent was made up of men who had not been accepted into the Eighth.
Sergeant Horace Montague Cross Attended Wellington College 1896.
Lieutenant Harold George Lewis Attended Wellington College 1893 - 1894.
Trooper Eustace Claude Fairbrother. Attended Wellington College 1894 - 1896.
Trooper Cecil Watson Palmer Attended Wellington College 1885 - 1888.
Trooper Frederick Alfred Philpot Attended Wellington College 1894.
Frederick James Tattle Attended Wellington College 1896 - 1897. His brother, Philip, was killed at Gallipoli.
Trooper Geoffery David
Otterson Attended Wellington College 1897 - 1898. Also served WWI.
Farmer in the Wairarapa New Zealand troops, possibly from the Eighth Contingent, on the SS Surrey or SS Cornwall, February 1902.
Corporal James
Pearson Blacklock
Attended Wellington College 1897 - 1898.
Drafted from College Rifles, Wlg.
Trooper Archibald
McMaster Attended Wellington College 1883 - 1887.
Quarter Master
Sergeant Henry
Arthur Webster
Attended Wellington College 1891 - 1893.
Sergeant John
Douglas Scott.
Attended Wellington College 1899.
Sergeant Major
Louis Wellington
Ward Attended
Wellington College 1893 - 1896. Five years College Rifles, Wellington, Surveyor.
Lance Corporal
Stanley Fairhall
Luxford Attended
Wellington College 1898. Also WWI,serving in Egypt, Gallipoli and the Western Front.
The Tenth Contingent was formed as a response to the defeat suffered by British forces at Tweebosch on 7 March, 1902.
NZ Premier, Richard Seddon sits with soldiers of the Tenth Contingent on board the SS Drayton Grange, April 1902.
Bethune’s Mounted
This corps was raised at Durban in October, 1899 by Major E C Bethune, 16th Lancers, an officer who was to do well throughout the whole war.
Captain and Qtr.-Master Albert Victor James Lockie Bethune’s Mounted Infantry, formed in South Africa by Colonel Bethune of Indian Mutiny fame. Attended Wellington College 1876 - 1881. Formerly in the employ of Messrs. John Duthie & Co. He eventually settled in South Africa and joined Bethune’s on the outbreak of the war
The Border Mounted Rifles were based at Ladysmith when the Boer forces surrounded the town. The siege lasted from 30 October 1899 to 29 February 1900 when British relief forces arrived. Approximately 3000 British soldiers died during the siege.
The Melville Brothers. There were four brothers who were members of the Border Mounted Rifles. Hugh and Alex (twins) Hamilton and Leslie. Sometime after 1891, the family moved to England then South Africa, settling as farmers in Natal. The brothers saw much active service in the Natal Campaign and were involved in the siege of Ladysmith.
Troopers Hugh and Alex Melville attended Wellington College 1886 -1888 then at Wanganui Collegiate.
Brabant’s Horse
Trooper Leslie Sefton Melville. Attended Wellington College 1891. After being wounded in one of the innumerable engagements that took place in the early part of the war in Natal, Leslie was attacked by enteric, and weakened as he was by his wound, succumbed to the dreaded scourge.
Brabant's Horse was a mounted unit raised in January 1900. It was an irregular contingent formed in South Africa for the duration of the Second Boer War. The unit was raised by Brig-Gen E Y Brabant, who also became the Brigadier General of the Eastern Cape troops. The unit saw much action against Boer commandos.
± Trooper William Duncan Cameron. Attended Wellington College 18821886. Enlisted 21 June, 1900. First Regiment Brabant’s Horse, D Squadron. Died of Enteric Fever at Lindley, Orange River Colony on 2 January, 1901.
Enteric Fever is Typhoid fever, also known simply as typhoid, is a disease caused by Salmonella bacteria, also called Salmonella Typhi causing fever and dysentery. Four of the five Old Boys who died in the Boer War succumbed to typhoid.
Trooper Forrest Parsons provided the following account.
“There was great loss amongst the transport animals and troop horses. The virulent outbreak of dysentery and enteric fever was the result largely of this great mortality amongst the animals whose carcases were left to rot in the fierce South African heat. Despite the fact that men knew the dangers of drinking water which had not been boiled, their fatigue and thirst were so great that they could not afford to be particular. Men began to come into hospitals in crowds.”
Over 8000 British and Colonial troops died from enteric during the Boer War.
Quarter Master Sergeant, promoted to Captain Ernest Edward Maginnity. Attended Wellington College 1886 - 1887. J. Squadron, Brabant’s Horse. Since leaving school, has been engaged in the business of his late father, Mr. John Maginnity, wine and spirit merchant. In 1899, after the death of his father, he sold up the business and left for South Africa to try his fortune. Volunteered while a customs agent in South Africa for the Midland Mounted Rifles, Brabant's Horse.
Corporal Sidney William Richardson. H Squadron Brabant's Horse. Attended Wellington College about 1891. After leaving school, joined the staff of the A.M.P. Society. Member of the W.A.A.A. (being a fine sprinter and jumper), the Oriental Football Club, and Bombardier in D Battery, N.Z. Artillery Volunteers. Brabant's Horse have seen a tremendous lot of fighting, as up to the beginning of October (according to the Cape files) they had taken part in no less than fifty-two engagements.
Sergeant Arthur Thomas Hall. Attended Wellington College 1895 - 1898. Farmer. Also, served as a Sergeant in WWI. Killed in action, 4 October, 1917 in Belgium.
Surgical Assistant Edmond Daniel Edwards. Attended Wellington College 18941895. In 1st XV. Surgical Assistant and Dresser in Lord Iveagh’s Irish Field Hospital. Undergraduate Trinity College, Dublin; Arts Course, Medical Course. He passed with distinction all examinations up to his fourth year in both courses. Is the only medical student selected to accompany Lord Iveagh’s Irish Field Hospital in charge of Sir William Thompson. On conclusion of the campaign will, by arrangement with the University authorities, resume his college career at the point at which it has been interrupted.
Surgical Assistant James Sands Elliott. Attended Wellington College 1893 - 1895 and afterwards proceeded to the University of Otago, and thence to Edinburgh University, with the view of taking the degree in Medicine. On the break-out of the war, he joined the Edinburgh and East Coast of Scotland Field Hospital under Professor Cheyne, as Surgeon’s Assistant and Dresser, and has been stationed at Norval’s Point. The University authorities are making provision as far as possible so that the students who volunteered for the front may not lose time in their course by their patriotic action. Later Sir James Elliott and author of Firth of Wellington
This artillery unit which was called a battery, though consisting of only two guns, was raised in Pietermaritzburg early in September, 1899, for service in the Anglo-Boer War. Some Old Boys volunteered to join this unit from other contingents. Alister McTavish and Father and son, Sergeant William Parsons and Trooper Forrest Parsons, from the 2nd Contingent volunteered. (See 2nd Contingent).
Forrest Parsons described the difficulties of daily life.
“We consider ourselves lucky if we can get as much as our hands and face once in two days or three days. I’ve been as long as a week and ten days without a wash at all.”. “When we have enough time to wash our clothes, we wash half at a time, sit in the sun with the dirty have on a wait for the clean half to dry. When they are dry we take off the other dirty half, wash them and put on the clean half. When the second half is dry we re-dress ourselves, after having a wash, we feel like knew men”.
The Royal Artillery was active throughout the Boer War.
George Francis William St. John. Attended Wellington College 1873 - 1876. 1st XV 1876. Served in South Africa 1901 - 1902 (Queens Medal, Four clasps). Also served in India and China. He was appointed Companion, Order of the Bath (C.B.) in 1914. He gained the rank of General in the Royal Artillery.
The Lovat’s Scouts was a British Army unit formed by the 14th Lord Lovat during the Second Boer War.
Trooper Charles Edward Clark. Attended Wellington College 1893 - 1894. After leaving College, served his apprenticeship for five years in the Manawatu Railway Company's workshops. Going to Scotland, he entered the service of the Highland
Royal Artillery Pom Pom Gun CrewRailway Company, and was stationed at Inverness. In February 1900, he joined as trooper the force raised for special service by Lord Lovat and attached to Macdonald’s Highland Brigade, known as Lovat’s Scouts. He served under Captain Tyler but was invalided to Maitland for a month through a severe attack of dysentery. He was then attached to the 18th Hussars and on the capture of the rolling stock at Barberton by General French, volunteered as engine-driver, and is now in the railway workshops at that place.
Signalling during the Boer War
An Old Boy (unnamed) writes, “The heliograph, a little instrument composed of two mirrors about 4in. by 8in. mounted on a light handy tripod, has done a great deal for the British side of the war. All flag wagging is now a thing of the past there. Distances are too great for this mode of signalling, and the ‘helio’ is now the only signal used
by day. The distances news and orders are flashed are wonderful”.
The Imperial Yeomanry
Regiments of Yeomanry for service in the Boer War was made by Lord Chesham in 1900.
Trooper Oliver Wakefield. Attended Wellington College 1886 - 1887.
This corps, strength about 500, under Lieutenant Colonel R G Scott, VC, DSO, did work on the Orange River - Kimberley line.
Trooper Charles Keats Brown
Attended Wellington College 1897.
This corps consisted of two squadrons and a maxim gun detachment.
Trooper Henry McGregor. Attended Wellington College 1892 - 1893.
The Scottish Horse was a Yeomanry regiment of the British Army’s Territorial Army raised in 1900.
Trooper Harold Pyke Taylor. Attended Wellington College 1894 - 1896. Served with the Scottish Horse from March to June 1902.
Trooper William John Fraser Veitch
Attended Wellington College 18941896. Served with the Scottish Horse from March to October 1902.
Lance Corporal Alexander Myers. Attended Wellington College in 1893 - 1894. From school, he went to Queensland to a position in the employ of Messrs. C. Myers & Co. Returning to Wellington in August 1897, he joined the staff of Messrs. J. Myers & Co., whom he left in 1900
to go to South Africa, where he intends to settle after the war.
This corps, consisting of a battalion of mounted rifles, commanded by Lt Colonel N W Kelly, which was contributed to by all the Australian colonies.
Trooper Percy George Heywood.
He joined the 4th Victorian Imperial Bushmen/Australian Imperial Regiment and sailed from Port Melbourne on the Victorian on 1 May 1900 for South Africa. Commissioned as a Captain in the Duke of Edinburgh own Volunteers at Cape Town. Son of the Under Treasurer for New Zealand. Died, 1959
Lieutenant Francis Gustavus Hume
Also served in WWI. Army, New Zealand Field Artillery. Served in Gallipoli. Died, 1950.
Lieutenant Val Sanderson writes, “It was when my regiment (the 5th New Zealand) was stationed at Klerksdorp that sufficient spare time was available for some cricket, football, sports etc. The town of Klerksdorp possesses a recreation ground with grandstand, but the ground itself, like all South African grounds, is absolutely bare of grass and of a somewhat hard sandy formation. The pitch is, if course, coconut matting.
Following the distribution of prizes at the 1901 Prize Giving, a ceremony took place to unveil a memorial tablet (shown on page 4) to those Old Boys of the College who have lost their lives in the service of their country during the Boer War. Below the tablet were the photographs of forty old boys who have also been to the front.
The poor quality, colourised, photo below taken by a student in 1918 shows the tablet and photos of forty old boys who had been to the front. This is the big classroom in the original East School building which would also have been used for the prize giving. While the photos of the old boys have long disappeared the brass tablet is now on the Memorial Window stage wall of the current Memorial and Performing Arts Centre (Alan Gibb’s Centre: AGC). Wellingtonian, 1902.
