Prisoners of the Crown - 1843

(Received and ____28July 1843) Portland, 21st February 1843 Sir, I have the honor to in-form you of the arrival of the three prisoners of the crown to be attached to my party, mentioned in your letter of the 8th ___and forwarded by direction of this honor the superintendent. I have the honor to be your most sacred serv(?) Charles J Fyses(?) Surveyor

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Sergeant Dent Returns! Newspaper article 10th May 1902

Bear with me while I seek out the original again for a better scan! In the meantime, let me know if you have worked out the blanks: The members of the Ambulance Corps met on Saturday evening at the Hotel Metropole, ********street, to give a welcome home to Regimental – Sergeant Major Orgood and Sergeant Dent, on their return from the war. The *****was supplied by Major Hume, M. H., the commanding officer of the corps, and several officers of the Army Medical staff were present. Amongst the guests was******a former member of the A. C., who was promoted for******gallantry in the field at Pink Hill. The******of the returned members was drunk with enthusiasm***** in reply, they bave a brief outhline of heir past experiences. Both were present at the Wilms_mirt disaster. The welcome home was****a very enthusiastic character

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Pink Hill

South Africa, 12 February 1900

Pink Hill, a famous action during the Second South African War, fought between Australian (and British) troops and a Boer force on 12 February 1900 some thirteen kilometres north-west of Colesberg in central Cape Colony. The engagement occurred after the Boers, realising the weakness of the column of 6,600 men under Major General R.A.P. Clements which opposed them about Colesberg, moved to drive in the British flanks and force a retreat back down the railway line towards Naauwpoort. Clements' left flank rested on a low rocky ridge known as Pink Hill, which was held by 75 men of the Victorian Mounted Rifles, 20 South Australians and 100 British regulars (50 Inniskilling Dragoons and an equal number of infantry of the Wiltshire Regiment). When the enemy assault began shortly before noon, carried out by the bulk of General E.R. Grobler's force of 1,000-2,000 men, the post was commanded by Major G.A. Eddy of the Victorians who had just taken over from an Imperial officer that morning. Soon the defenders were being lashed by close-range fire from three pom-pom quick-fire weapons and a field-gun, as well as innumerable Mauser rifles. Throughout the battle Eddy moved among his men, giving encouragement and directing their fire. After two hours, however, it was obvious that the position must eventually fall. Eddy accordingly instructed the Wiltshires to retire while the mounted troops continued to provide covering fire. Once the infantry were safely away, he then gave the order for the rest to follow, but no sooner had he done so than he was killed by an enemy bullet through the head. The action ultimately cost six Australians killed (one of whom died of' wounds the following day) and 22 wounded; two of the wounded and one other man were taken prisoner, although one of these (a wounded officer) was released the following day. The gallant defence maintained on the hill ultimately proved to be a futile gesture. By 3 p.m. Pink Hill was in Boer hands. Since the right flank was also successfully pushed back by the Boers, Clements had no alternative but to withdraw south and adopt a new defensive line around Arundel. The action in this quarter has been likened by Field to 'a little Anzac' (q.v.): It was a defeat which led to a major withdrawal from the area; it involved proportionately high casualties: and it was praised as a great display of Australian courage and honour in war. Apart from the laudatory comments made at the time about the Australians' performance, however, there was also some criticism of Eddy for not having given the order to evacuate sooner and reduce needless losses.

Extracted from the book produced by Chris Coulthard-Clark, Where Australians Fought - The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles, Allen and Unwin, Sydney, 1998, p. 66.

Additional References cited by Chris Coulthard-Clark:

F. Maurice (ed.) History of the War in South Africa 1899-1902. vol. 2 (1907), London: Hunt & Blackett.

P.L. Murray (1911) Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa, Melbourne: Government Printer.

L.M. Field (1979) The forgotten War, Carlton, Vic. Melbourne University Press.

R.L. Wallace (1976) The Australians at the Boer War, Canberra: Australian War Memorial & Australian Government Publishing Service. Source: http://alh-research.tripod.com/Light_Horse/index.blog?topic_id=1113492

Letter from Vernon to Robert Dent - Thursday May 20, 1920

A Letter from Cisse Tank to Robert Dent October 1916

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P1

132 Pepys Road

New Cross S8

1 Oct 1916

Dear Mr Dent

Thank you for such a nice letter sent 11 days ago. I’m beginning to feel I have known you for years & years as much at home as when I write to my chums for some things (.) I am exceedingly glad you are not coming over here. It is too dangerous a journey to contemplate with any degree of certainty and that which awaits one at this end is not of the pleasantest

Mother writes from home that an Australian called one weekend and stayed there for a night or two. He introduced himself with your card which was quite sufficient.

I don’t know his name but he’s a daddy with four little ones - I don’t mean with four little daddies!! - had 4 days leave from Salisbury Plain., 2 of which he spent in London. I wish I’d known and could have taken him about a little. The office I am in is

P2- in White Chapel and close to the city but perhaps I may not be there much longer as I want to get into something better than 28 (shillings ) per week. I know I shall get a rise soon when the 23 year old departmental manager goes to join up but I ought to do better than 30 (shillings) I think considering the money unskilled clerks are securing just now. Still one has to think of after the war and the employment then. Therefore am I dubious about changing ----

Enclosed you will find some PC’s(?) and photos of a Zepp said . which occured whilst Maisy and I were staying at Harpenden with Uncle Joe and Aunt ----------------. 3 Zepps went over Harpenden then --- in the inky darkness we could only hear their engines. Uncle had to close the Gas works down for a time. Looking out of the window Auntie Maisy and I could see the reflection of the burning Zepp for it lit up the whole yard revealing Uncle standing outside watching. What tea pots men are. I called out “Uncle have a cup of tea” and you should have heard his “Ha! Rather.” That was the only effect it (the zepp) had on Harpenden tho’ about a mile away they dropped a bomb just outside a farmstead, killing no one there only breaking all the glass of the windows.

P3 - Last night week tho’ we had a ripping time at Leytonstone. ( They had whilst I was at Harpenden too but this was worse.

Mummy (Mrs Oliver with whom I live) was in bed reading to me whilst I was undressing, when I heard guns in the distance and guessed we were in for a hot time so told Mummy to get up and I put her dressing gown and slippers on, set her in a corner near a wall on a stool, and as she was quivering from head to foot becos’ the guns were firing nearer and 1 or 2 bombs were dropped I gave her some brandy. She couldn’t bear me to move form her whilst the noise was going on. Then there was a lull and I made her put on some warmer clothes - we kept a night light burning shaded - just as I was contemplating should I put on some clothes “Boom” and I knew Zepps were literally on us dropping bombs. (aerial torpedos I found out afterwards)

Mummy went so limp and then quivered again that I had to hold her firmly, yet in the midst of danger I had to laugh at myself, for I was “caught in the act” and looked like a boy in a sack race who couldn’t have run for toffy.

P4- why will I always see the funny side of life. “Boom” and the very foundations of the house shook I looked around fully expecting to see the pictures and ornaments fall, but no, in spite of some good tries on the Zepps’ part, we were safe altho’ alone in the house yet not alone for the master is with us. Silence reigned again for 3 minutes then “Muzzals”(?) filled the air and I rushed to the door at last just in time to see the red flare of the burning Zepps as it descended. The 2nd to fall burning.

The havoc wrought is terrible. Within a (--) tramside from where I’m living , homes, shops, roads , Labour Exchange, Police Station complete wrecks. It is perfectly true. There has been no military damage done in spite of Germany showing cinema pictures of military ruins and even “St Pauls” burning. The Zepps aim is Woolwich, but they rarely get the brunt of it. No place is safe. 2 old people opened their front door to look out and a bomb dropped at that monent killing them outright. Had thery remained at the back of the house all would have been well with them. Yet

P5- a mother clutches her 2 or 3 kiddies and runs out of her house and she is no sooner at a safe distance than her house is ruined by another bomb. Why did she run out of the house you ask? Why do we do many strange things which we cannot account for. General Booth sent a party of his girls - I presume First Aid -----girls, this I’m not sure - to visit every house in the wrecked or partly wrecked area and enquire who and how many were hurt on that early Sunday morning and they were to do what they could to help the afflicted and distressed and the same happened on Tuesday. I cannot explain to you why but at ordinary times Iso often feel so terribly wicked so unchristianlike that I fear to face death, yet on that awful Zepp night of the 23rd Sept I had no such fear but felt all was secure whatever happened. To wonder I could be bright and “lighthearted” shall I call it? No, not that exactly but I had no anxiety. Tea time and chapel I wil finish this when we come home……

Later. 12 midnight.

There is a stillness on this bright srarlit night which

P6- which can be felt. Trains are running, but signal boxes are in darkness. The usual 10 mins displays each night of of search lights were not seen at their usual time about 8 or 8:30pm “a bad sign” one hears as we -Mrs O and self - walk home together at 10’ock after going to a friends to supper.

Mummy trembles as she clings to my arm. Folk are standing at their doors and gates expecting what? At eleven we look out and faint lights are scouring the sky. Fear reigns in many a stout heart tonight. Zepps are “somewhere over England” and the English folk pray for light

-Guns going.

½ hr later/ Another Zepp brought down and cheers echo and re-echo in the streets. I had to stop writing, call a lady friend who had gone to bed put out the lights and be prepared for anything. Guns were banging away, silence for a minute then a big report. 20 seconds after much shouting and clapping which was a sign a Zepp was down and we rushed out in time to see the sky lit up and a Zepp falling like the picture enclosed. The big report must have been the Zepp bursting into flame.

Ther are more about, for search lights

P7- are still playing hide and seek in the sky. I’m quite content to go to bed but that would mean when my friend cannot rest, let alone sleep. After 3’ock all will be safe. I wonder how many are over her tonight.

The papers say the Germans are making 2 Zepps per month and we’ve brought down 4 in 4 weeks, not so bad for us, eh?

You will be tired of Zepps talk now, so whilst the search l’ts are seeking I’ll go on writing, but hark, I fancy guns are going again. Ah, well, so the night toils on; be quick and push the sun round to our side of the globe again please. Not only are the guns booming in France but we have them too.

Folk living on the south east coast of England hear the continual bombing from France day and night (all quiet again)

My eldest brother “Sonnie” is in the RC’s(?) now and hoped to be in France (in) this but he’s still scrubbing floors and peeling spuds in England. Himself and * other post office boys are clubbing together after the war and going to Australia to try their fortunes.

Your countryment are

P8- not favourably impressed by the English

Many are grumbling that they have no regular pay. One gentleman told Sonnie in camp that he’d had no pay since hes 1st week of landing in England and hadn’t a 1d to purchase a stamp with to send a letter to his bankers. Yet his manner was such that Sonnie and his chums each felt the Aust would take offence if the money were offered him by either of them.

This same gent. Happened to enquire at a farm for a drink one day and got into conversation with the lady there. She complained she could get no men to gather her corn as they had all “joined up” and her farm was going to ruin. The Aust just sypathised with her and went his way, but turned up the next evening with other Aust’s to do some farming. For a fortnight they walked 4 miles to this farm, worked hard and then walked 4 miles back to camp refusing to take a 1d piece. The farm lady knew their names by this time however and saw their colonel, asking for a days leave for each of her helpers. This was granted willingly and the Australians were given a right royal time, and entertained by this lady and

P9- her friends. The Aust’ns say they will never forget that day’s pleasure. The church I attend here arranges an afternoons entertainment and a sit -where-you-please-tea once a fortnight for wounded soldiers. On Tuesday week Oct 10th. They are entertaining 70 Aust’ns; wouldn’t I love to be there and try to discover someone who knows you. By this time you will have probably seen my friend Miss Pettit(?)

I mean by the time you secure this letter, as she will be living in the same town.

A more genuine person I never have met, has a real true friend, and I shall miss seeing her occasionally. Your prices are certainly lower than ours. The other day we inquired the price of a small lamp to hang against the wall usually sold at 6 ½ d but they are now (___)each . Sugar is very very difficult to get even at 6d lb (pre-war 1 ¾ lb) Mrs Oliver has tried 10 and 12 shops sometimes to get 1lb of white sugar. Iam

P10- glad to find we are at one on the subject of R. Catholicism. The centuries roll round and generations change and always after something new the people never seem to be satisfied with the plain gospel. It reminds me of those lines “They know not Christ as Saviour but worship Him as King” This really refers to the angels of heaven but how often is Christ worshiped(sic) without the love of our hearts going out to Him.

The Bishop of London is working hard in Church mission. He’s a splendid man and his ----------------------------we benefit from his sincere plea for true christianity? I fear it may end in form and not in heart worship. However if we work each in our small corner and pray believing much can be done for the extension of loving service for our Saviour. Thank you again for you letter and papers which I appreciate.

Please forgive if you think this is a rambling letter because it comes from your little friend

Cissie Tank

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