Casey Cardinia and the Boxer Rebellion connection

Do you have an ancestor who served in China during the Boxer Uprising? This little known part of our history is the subject of the book The Australian Illustrated Encyclopaedia of the Boxer Uprising, 1899-1901, by Justin Corfield (1).  The book includes maps, photographs, details of the major players and groups involved and for family historians, the biographical details on all the Australians who served in the Boxer Uprising.

What was the Boxer Uprising? Western Countries, especially France, Germany, Britain and the United States controlled most of the trade between China and the West at the end of the nineteenth century. Merchants from these countries also demanded land, the right to build railways and ‘extra territorial rights’ where they were subject only to the laws of their own country and not Chinese law. As a result, many Chinese joined anti European Secret Societies, including the violent I-ho-ch'uan (the Righteous and Harmonious Fists) who were named the Boxers by Western media. In 1899, the Boxers and other militant societies combined in a campaign against the Westerners, including merchants, Missionaries and westernised Chinese. 

In 1900 this uprising became more wide spread and nine Western nations responded by sending in warships and armed forces. Though Australian troops were largely involved in the Boer War in South Africa, the Australian Colonies sent Naval Contingents to China to support Britain. One hundred and ninety seven men came from Victoria, two hundred and sixty three from New South Wales and one hundred and three from South Australia. The first Australian contingents left at the end of July 1900. Many of the Australians were too late to take part in battle and instead had a role in restoring civil order, and they left China in March 1901 to return to Australia. No Australian was killed by enemy hand, although six died of illness or injury.

I have found a Casey Cardinia link in the book. Joseph Edward Hughes, who was born in 1861, was part of the Victorian Naval Contingent (2).  Joseph had married Elizabeth Anna McDonald in 1887 in Sydney. His occupation on his marriage certificate was ship's mate (3). The couple moved to Victoria where their children were born - Edward Dominick, 1889 and registered at Collingwood; Emma Augusta, 1890, Collingwood; Elizabeth Anna, 1892, Carlton; Joseph Edward, 1894, Koo Wee Rup;  Neil Alexander, 1896, Bunyip South (later called Iona) and George, 1900 in Surrey Hills, Melbourne (4). 

In the 1890s, Australia was in a Depression, with up to thirty percent unemployment. Unemployment benefits were generally linked to Public Works schemes, one of which was the Village Settlement on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. The aim of the Village Settlement was to stop people drifting to the City, allow them to receive an income and become self sufficient on their small farms. Under this Scheme, men could obtain employment with the Public Works Department, if they were married, registered as unemployed and accept a block of land of up to twenty acres (8 hectares). They had to work for wages for two weeks and undertake improvements on their block on the alternate two weeks. By August 1893, 265 men were employed by the Public Works Department.

Was Joseph Hughes one of these settlers? Certainly the time frame fits. He was a married man with children, so he fitted the demographic of the Village Settler. Two of his children were born on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp. By 1899 the Village Settlement Scheme was abandoned, and at least one third of the settlers had left the area, including the Hughes family. The most common reasons for leaving were the fact that twenty acres was not a sufficient size of land to support a family, there was no alternative employment and many settlers had no previous farming experience, such as Joseph Hughes, whose occupation is listed in the book as a painter. 

SS Chingtu, the ship which bought Joseph Hughes back to Australia from China in 1901.

Australian War Memorial Image A05054. Their caption is A parade on board SS Chingtu, returning from China in 1901 with the Australian contingents of the NSW Naval Brigade on board. Note the birds in the cages. The China Steam Navigation Company's SS Chingtu was Transport 105 for the voyage carrying the contingents back to Australia in 1901

The family had moved from the Swamp and were living in Surrey Hills in Melbourne in 1900 when Joseph enlisted. Did Joseph enlist from a sense of duty, a sense of adventure, the need for a secure pay packet or did he have a yearning to go to sea again? We don’t know and it may have been a combination of all these factors. He embarked for China on July 30, 1900 on the SS Salamis, his rank was Able Seaman,  and returned to Australia on the SS Chingtu on April 25, 1901 (5).  It then appears the family moved back to New South Wales and lived in another Surry Hills, this time in Sydney.  Joseph died at the age of 64 in 1925 and Elizabeth died  in 1921, aged 57. They are buried at Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney (6). 

Joseph and Elizabeth’s sons Joseph and Neil enlisted in the First World War. Joseph was 23 when he enlisted in April 1918, but he was rejected on medical grounds due to acute rheumatism. His next of kin was his father, Joseph, of 565 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney (7). His birthplace was listed as Bunyip, but as we saw before the birth was registered at Koo Wee Rup, because the first Registrar of Births and Deaths at the eastern end of the Swamp was not appointed until January 1, 1895 when James Pincott was appointed for Bunyip South (8). 

Neil (service number 3322) enlisted in August 1915 at the age of 19, his birth place is listed as Bunyip and his next of kin was his father of the Crown Street address. In July 1916, Neil suffered a gunshot wound to the back and abdomen and  later returned to Australia and was medically discharged in November 1917 (9). 

I do a lot of research and sometimes you are fortunate that you find a document that ties everything together, so I was pleased to find this letter written by Joseph senior in Neil's A.I.F file at the National Archives of Australia. The letter gives 19 year old Neil, born on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp at Bunyip South, permission to enlist and is signed by his father, Joseph Hughes and underneath he has written Late of the Naval brigade and China Naval Cont [Contingent].

Joseph Hughes' letter, giving his son permission to enlist, from Neil's A.I.F. file.

Image has been cropped. National Archives of Australia www.naa.gov.au 

First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920

Joseph Hughes and his family were only on the Koo Wee Rup Swamp for possibly four years, but he does give our region a link to the Boxer Rebellion in China.

Footnotes

(1) The Australian Illustrated Encyclopaedia of the Boxer Uprising, 1899-1901, by Justin Corfield (Slouch Hat Publications, 2001)

(2) Australian War Memorial Nominal Rolls -  https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1443019

(3) His marriage certificate is on-line on a family tree on Ancestry. They were married August 8, 1887. Joseph, who was 26,  was born in Monmouthshire, England (According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica on-line - see here - From the 16th to the early 20th century Monmouthshire was sometimes considered administratively a part of England and sometimes a part of Wales). His parents are George Hughes and Emily Maddox. Elizabeth, who was 24,  was born in Pyrmont, NSW to Neil McDonald and Annie Rebecca Baker. 

(4) I believe I have all the children correct - the information comes from the Index to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages https://www.bdm.vic.gov.au/

(5) Australian War Memorial Nominal Rolls -  https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1443019

(6) Ancestry Cemetery Headstone Transcriptions, 1837-2003

(7) National Archives of Australia, read his file, here.

(8) Victoria Government Gazette January 4, 1895. p. 1, see here.

(9) National Archives of Australia, read his file, here.

Memorial to General Sir John Monash at Berwick

On January 26, 1932 The Herald published an article by Russell Grimwade (1) on the proposed memorial to General Sir John Monash, who had died on October 8, 1931. Monash was a civil engineer, a soldier and after the First World War  the General Manager of the State Electricity Commission, who established the power stations at Yallourn using the coal deposits (2).  In the 1920s Monash was broadly accepted, not just in Victoria, as the greatest living Australian (3) and thus shortly after his death the Monash Memorial Committee (4) was established to oversee the construction of a suitable memorial to him.

The Committee decided on a statue of Monash, on horseback, but Russell Grimwade, had a more innovative idea, as he wrote who in Victoria, resident or visitor, could pass along the Prince's Highway between Melbourne and Yallourn without being arrested and thrilled by a Monash column set on a suitable hill, say, near Berwick, and without being brought to an understanding of the benefits he has brought to this fair State? Russell Grimwade was a businessman and a partner in the firm Felton Grimwade. This firm was started by his father, Frederick Grimwade (5) and Alfred Felton (6).  They were manufacturers of drugs and later branched out into glass works and chemical works. Felton, is the 'Felton Bequest' person. He left a generous sum of money in trust, half of which was to support charities and the rest to be spent on works of art for the National Gallery.

Mr Grimwade's idea was supported by the artist, Daryl Lindsay (7) who said, inter alia, imagine a hilltop clearly visible from the Prince's Highway, carrying a memorial such as the Nelson Column in Trafalgar Square, built up on a simple base and topped by a dignified and symbolic figure of Monash against the skyline, surveying the vast tracts of country so materially assisted by him towards prosperity. Daryl Lindsay was an artist and the husband of Joan Lindsay (8), perhaps best known for her book, Picnic at Hanging Rock. 

The Monash Memorial was not built at Berwick, it was built in Kings Domain and as Daryl Lindsay said the Committee ended up deciding on an irrevocable plunge into mediocrity.  General Sir John Monash is remembered with Monash University and the Monash Freeway.

From a hill, looking south to Berwick. 

Would this have been a suitable site for the Monash Memorial?

This is the link to the photo at the SLV http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/451960 if you want a good copy so you an zoom in and see all the details.

Harvesting, Berwick, c. 1945-1954. Victorian Railways photographer. 

State Library of Victoria Image H91.50/2193

Russell Grimwade's article from The Herald of January 26, 1928 is reproduced below, or read it on Trove, here.

Monash Memory: a column set upon a hill - tribute to creative genius by Russell Grimwade.
The Monash Memorial Committee is confronted with a problem that has many solutions and one right one. The task is to perpetuate the memory of a rare citizen, whose gifts and abilities benefited his country in various ways. The choice of the particular benefit that is to serve as the theme of the memorial is narrowed by the early decision of the committee to make the memorial a State movement and not a Federal one.

His Gift To Australia
Surely that debars his military achievements from being the underlying theme for the monument now being conceived. His military talent was a gift to the whole of Australia, and is eternally recorded in the history of the Commonwealth in a manner of endurance that stone and bronze cannot surpass. According to the expressions of his friends, his success in war was accidental to his trained scientific thinking and his educated vocation of construction. Ethically-minded persons may consider it a needless perversion of right to choose a theme of destruction for a man of constructive mind when a unique opportunity for the latter is at hand.

A Great Opportunity
The choice of memorial is to be appropriate to the thoughts and acts of the hero. It is also desirable that it should reflect credit for all time on the discernment of its executors. The apparent predilection of the committee for an equestrian statue close to the Shrine is alarming in its orthodoxy, its commonplaceness and its failure to grasp the opportunity of recording in an original manner the constructive genius which our hero represents. Further, it does not strictly comply with the decision that this memorial should mark the appreciation of the people of Victoria of one of their outstanding sons.

Suez Canal Example
The world is dotted with equestrian statues of crusaders, monarchs and generals - crowded in their squares or palace yards, in different garb, but apparently on the same horse - until the passing stream of humanity accepts them with the apathy accorded to the lampposts or the fountains that support them. But who passes through the Suez Canal without thrilling to the welcome of Dr. Lesseps (9) and grasping his invitation to make use of his great work, and that without reading the lettering on the base?
And who in Victoria, resident or visitor, could pass along the Prince's Highway between Melbourne and Yallourn without being arrested and thrilled by a Monash column set on a suitable hill, say, near Berwick, and without being brought to an understanding of the benefits he has brought to this fair State?

The Master Brain
Sir John Monash may not have conceived the brown coal scheme. That may be to the credit of modest men who prefer to have others ask why a statue was not put up to them rather than why it was. But Sir John Monash's was the brain that carried the conception into effect against untold difficulties, that mastered them by choosing the men to master them, so that for all time the citizens of Victoria can live happier, cleaner, and less arduous lives.
Is it not easy to envisage such a monument in a commanding position in the most verdant part of our most verdant State, standing, away from the urbanities of our city and forming a focus of thought and attention that our young countryside so sorely lacks? Picture a chosen hill somewhere on the line of transmission wires about midway between his city and his great works crowned by a column with the figure of our hero in proper posture, surveying for all time the flow of material comfort to his fellow citizens.

The Contrast
Contrast this with the impossibility, of raising an equestrian statue above the standard of many that already exist, and picture it set beside the stupefying mass of masonry that is the Shrine, and then consider which would better perpetuate the memory of a great citizen.

Perhaps a hill on the south side of Berwick may have been suitable for the Monash Memorial. 

Panorama of Berwick, c. 1920-1954. Photographer: Rose Stereograph Co. 

State Library of Victoria Image H32492/8433 http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/58617

This is Daryl Lindsay's letter published in The Herald, on January 28, 1932, read it on Trove, here.

Letter to the Editor - Monash Memorial: Mr Daryl Lindsay's Views
Sir, - Mr Russell Grimwade's thoughtful article on the proposed Monash memorial should stir the imagination of all thinking people in this State. His unconventional suggestion to place a memorial column at Berwick, or some other conspicuous point between Melbourne and Yallourn, is full of significance.

The idea contains an clement of greatness, lifting it right away from the usual commonplace conception of the corporate mind. Public committees, however well-intentioned, are not usually blessed with Mr Grimwade's ability to visualise exactly what the memorial is going to mean to Victoria in the future. The aesthetic value of an equestrian statue, even of artistic merit, would be automatically negatived by the clumsy bulk of the Shrine in close proximity.

In a few years the inconspicuous horseman would go to join the ranks or Melbourne's forgotten statuary. Imagine a hilltop clearly visible from the Prince's Highway, carrying a memorial such as the Nelson Column in Trafalgar Square, built up on a simple base and topped by a dignified and symbolic figure of Monash against the skyline, surveying the vast tracts of country so materially assisted by him towards prosperity - such a landmark would be noticed and inquired into by every passer-by.

Apart from any personal bias in favor of a civil rather than a military memorial, I feel very strongly as an artist the need to decentralise such public work of art as we possess. In Europe one is continually charmed by the variety of silhouette - a ruined castle, a statue, or a village spire breaking the monotony of nature's outline unrelieved by man.

Australian landscape is sadly lacking in such points of interest. Let us at least consider the suitability and beauty of Mr Grimwade's conception before deciding on an irrevocable plunge into mediocrity.
Yours, etc...
Daryl Lindsay, Frankston, Jan 27.

Footnotes
(1) Sir Wilfred Russell Grimwade (1879-1955). Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(2) Sir John Monash (1865-1931). Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(3) Geoffrey Serle, who wrote General Monash's ADB entry, see here.
(4) I have written about the Monash Memorial Committee, here. There is also a photo of the Monash statue.
(5) Frederick Sheppherd Grimwade (1840-1910). Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(6) Alfred Felton (1831-1904). Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.   
(7) Sir Ernest Daryl Lindsay (1889-1976). Read his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(8) Joan A'Beckett Lindsay (nee Weigall, 1896-1984). Joan was the great-niece of Sir William à Beckett (1806-1869) the first chief justice of Victoria. Read her Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(9) Dr Lesseps (1805-1894). Creator of the Suez Canal, read about him, here https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ferdinand-vicomte-de-Lesseps

General Sir John Monash remembered at Lang Lang

On May 7, 1936 the Koo Wee Rup Sun published the following report - At the Lang Lang State School the Monash Memorial Committee presented the school with a memorial volume last week. Memorial trees were planted in the school grounds.

1936 report of the Lang Lang School receiving the memorial volume and memorial tree.

The Koo Wee Rup Sun May 7, 1936

The Age had a fuller report a few days previously - To celebrate the 21st anniversary of Anzac day the Monash memorial committee, through Captain Peters, associated itself with friends of the late Sister Hilda Knox, the late Captain A. Jacka,V.C., Lieutenant Bert Hinkler and ex-scholars of the Lang Lang school who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War, and presented the Lang Lang State school with a beautiful memorial volume, and planted memorial trees in the school grounds in memory of those honored. (The Age May 1, 1936, see here)

1936 report of the Lang Lang School receiving the memorial volume and memorial tree.

The Age May 1, 1936  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204829575

The Monash Memorial Committee was established soon after General Sir John Monash died on October 8, 1931. He was a Civil engineer, a soldier, chairman of the Shrine of Remembrance construction body and manager of the State Electricity Commission. You can read his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here. The role of the Memorial Committee, chaired by Major-General, Sir Thomas Blamey, was to establish a memorial to General Monash. The memorial took the form of a statue and was finally unveiled on November 12, 1950. It was designed by William Leslie Bowles and is in Kings Domain. The statue was well under way in 1939, but the Second World War caused the understandable delay in the completion of the statue.

The statue of General Monash, the result of the Monash Memorial Committee endeavours.

General Sir John Monash. Photographer: Sutcliffe Pty Ltd. 

State Library of Victoria H88.33/101

I cannot find any other references in the newspapers of the Monash Memorial Committee donating a book or books to a school, which doesn't mean it did not happen, however if the newspaper report below is correct then the Lang Lang School was the recipient of books the previous year in memory of General Monash and others - At a combined Anzac day service arranged by the local branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A., and five district State schools, more than 200 children, accompanied by their parents and district residents, were present. The address was given by Captain L. G. Buckland, M.C., M.M., and the Last Post was sounded by Trumpeter V. Mills. A feature of the ceremony was the presentation of books to Lang Lang State school library in memory of the late General Sir J. Monash, Captain Albert Jacka, V.C., Squadron Leader B. Hinkler, Sister Hilda Knox, and fallen scholars of Lang Lang

State school. (The Age, April 25, 1935, see here)

1935 report of the Lang Lang School being presented with books

The Age April 25 1935  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204286412

I wondered if there was some connection between members of the Monash Memorial Committee and the town of Lang Lang and that is why they received the books, but I can find nothing obvious. Lang Lang School may have raised funds for the Monash memorial, as this was encouraged by the Education Department, as we can see by the newspaper article, below. But I feel sure that other schools would also have raised funds and yet I can find no reference to them receiving books in honour of the General Monash's memory, let alone receiving them twice, as Lang Lang appears to have.

The Education Department allows Schools to fund raise for Monash Memorial.

The Herald May 16, 1932  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242792403

There are a few questions that I cannot answer - what were the titles of the books and what sort of trees were planted?  Do the books still exist and are the trees still living?

Before we finish, we will have a look at the other people mentioned in this post -

Blamey, Major General Thomas Blamey (1884 - 1951) - the Chairman of the Monash Memorial Committee. Read his entry on the Australian Dictonary of Biography, here.

Bowles, William Leslie Bowles (1885 - 1954) -  the sculptor of the General Monash statue. Read his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here.

Buckland, John Leslie Gibson (1887 - 1956, incorrectly listed as Huckland in the 1935 newspaper report). Captain Gibson gave the Anzac Day address at Lang Lang in 1935. He was born in Werris Creek in New South Wales, enlisted in December 1914 and was awarded both the Military Cross and the Military Medal. He also served in the Second World War, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mr Gibson was a consulting electrical engineer, when he was not serving in the Army.

Hinkler, Herbert John 'Bert' (1892 -1933) - aviator who served in the Royal Naval Air Service in the Great War. Read his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here.

Jacka, Albert (1893 -1932) - was the first Australian awarded the Victoria Cross in World War One. Read his entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, here.

Knox, Hilda (1883 - 1917) - Army Nurse, who died of illness whilst serving in France. Read her obituary, here. The obituary mentions that after her death, her parents received many letters from around Australia -  One lady wrote to Mr Knox that her only son was in the 4th L.H., and was in the ward in a hospital in Egypt of which Sister Knox had charge. He had been nursed by her, and spoke of the unfailing attention which they had received. He said, "We used to watch the door for her to come in. Every man of us loved her, and called her 'Our Daughter of the Regiment.' 

Peters, Charles Harold (1889 - 1951) - connected to the Monash Memorial Committee. Enlisted in 1916, awarded the Military Cross and Bar. His peace time occupation was a bookseller, he worked at Melville & Mullens.  He returned to that occupation after the War and rose to be the Managing Director of Robertson & Mullens (which later became Angus & Robertson). Read his obituary in The Herald of January 10, 1951, here.

75th anniversary of the end of World War Two

August 15, 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two, V.P Day - Victory in the Pacific Day.

World War II at home: Victoria Remembers https://www.wwiiathome.com.au/  is an interesting website which looks at eighteen different aspects of Victoria's response to the War such as the Explosives Factory at Maribyrnong, the Mallacoota Bunker and the Internment camp at Tatura.

Closer to home we have a number of oral histories which look at life in the area during World War Two - listen to them here https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/browse/local-history/oral-histories/war/
These were recorded 25 to 30 years ago and we were fortunate to capture the memories of these  local people before it was too late.

As you can imagine the end of the War was a cause for celebration and this great account of how Tooradin celebrated is from the Dandenong Journal, August 22, 1945 (see here). It was indeed a gay day as the head line said and dancing went on until 3.15am!

Peace Day Was A Gay Day At Tooradin
Tooradin's Peace Celebrations Committee was not caught unprepared by the official declaration of peace last Wednesday. Its members had been quietly working and getting ready for the great day, and in no time celebrations were on the way. These opened with a general thanks giving meeting in the hall. Mr. R. Charlton, president of the committee was the first to speak, followed by Mr. W. Dawson (for the soldiers of the Great War) Mr. R. Roberts (ex-R.A.A.F., for the men of this war), Mr. S. Axup (for the people) and Miss Beryl Kernot (for the younger generation). Wreaths were then laid on the temporary cenotaph by Mr. Dawson (R.S.S. & A.1.L.A.), Mrs. Beckham (Red Cross), Mrs. Limer (C.W.A.) Beryl Kernot (Tooradin School), and many individuals who in this time of rejoicing did not forget those who had given their lives to achieve peace.

The afternoon was given over to the children, and the St. Leon family, of circus fame, brought, their clowns and circus ponies along to entertain and delight them. It was a real treat for the kiddies. The Misses Peggy and Stella St. Leon gave the children an exhibition of trick riding and tumbling, etc., and the clowns ‘‘brought the house down.” On behalf of the committee we wish to thank these young artists for coming along and entertaining the children. After the circus the young folk were regaled with afternoon tea. Everything was there to make the youngsters happy. After tea, races were held -prizes and no blanks! The money scramble in the saw dust also caused a lot of fun and excitement. It was a tired but happy band of children who made for home after a day they will never forget.

The night was given over to the older folk. The hall was thrown open to everyone and proceedings opened with community singing to music supplied, by Miss Cheesman’s orchestra, and under the baton of Mr. Frank Hamilton. Mr. Jack. Mclnnes sang “Under the Shade of the Old Apple Tree” and “We Parted By-The Shore,” and Mr. J. Higham obliged with “Take Me Back To Old Yirginny.” Mr. Limer gave a great exhibition of high kicking and conjuring, winding up with his celebrated Firefly Dance. All of the items were greatly appreciated by the large audience. Dancing commenced at 10.30 and went on till 3.15. Supper, tasty and satisfying, was served by the ladies, who were also responsible for the appropriate decorations which brightened the hall. We have a lot to thank these ladies for they are workers, believe me. Source: Dandenong Journal, August 22, 1945 (see here)

Beaconsfield and Officer Great War Soldiers

The digital memorial to Beaconsfield soldiers, which was available on a terminal at the Community Centre had now been uploaded to the Beaconsfield Progress Association (BPA) website https://beaconsfield.org.au/digitalmemorial/    The BPA website also hosts a digital database of Officer soldiers https://beaconsfield.org.au/we-will-remember-them/


The databases are based on the research of Penny Harris Jennings from her two books -   Beaconsfield Avenue of Honour: Servicemen remembered (published by the Beaconsfield Progress Association, download a PDF version here) and We will remember them: Officer Roll of Honor World War 1 1914 - 1918 Commemorating the Centenary of Armistice 11th November 2018 (published by the Officer and District Community Association, download a PDF version here)




These databases are a wonderful memorial to the soldiers of Beaconsfield and Officer and they look at the military history of  each soldier as well as their life after the War,  if they were fortunate enough to return.

Penny should be congratulated on her extensive research and we grateful to the Beaconsfield Progress Association for making these two resources freely available on their website.

Relief of Mafeking celebrations

The siege and battle for the town of  Mafeking in South Africa is one of the most well known events in the South African or Boer War. The siege lasted  217 days from October 13, 1899 to May 17, 1900. When the British (which included Australian forces) 'won' the battle and the town of Mafeking was 'relieved' there was wide-spread celebrations throughout the British Empire including Australia. These are some accounts of local celebrations, but before we look at these this is an account of the Siege from South African History on-line, see it here.

The Siege of Mafeking (now known as Mafikeng) was an important battle in the South African War (Second Anglo-Boer War). The war began in late 1899; President Kruger (1) issued an ultimatum, instructing the British to withdraw their soldiers from the border of the Transvaal. When the British failed to heed the instruction, Kruger's government declared war. In 1900 Afrikaans Commandant Eloff was sent to put the town of Mafikeng under siege. Eloff (2) instructed General Piet Cronje (3) to lead approximately 5000 Afrikaner soldiers (numbers vary) to Mafikeng. For almost seven months fighting ensued; with the Afrikaner soldiers burning the Barolong huts and the defences that the British lieutenant-general, Robert Baden-Powell (4), had set up. A turning point occurred on 17 May 1900, when British forces, led by Colonel Mahon (5) and Lord Roberts (6) fought their way into the city and lifted the siege. The British forces were dubbed "defenders of Mafeking". The relief is said to have sparked so much jubilation in London that a new word was coined in English, (to "maffick" came to mean "to revel inordinately). Although the war was fought primarily between the British and the Afrikaner soldiers, the battle of Mafeking claimed the lives of 400 Barolong, who fought alongside the British. The British lost were 212 soldiers and over 1000 Afrikaner lives were lost.
The Siege of Mafeking (now known as Mafikeng) was an important battle in the South African War (Second Anglo-Boer War). The war began in late 1899; President Kruger issued an ultimatum, instructing the British to withdraw their soldiers from the border of the Transvaal. Source: South African History on-line, see it here.

There was wide-spread joy at the end of the Mafeking Siege, which can be summed up by this report of a Berwick Shire Council meeting. A letter had been received from Mrs. Flower, Pakenham, requesting inter alia  that the name of the street be changed from King to Mafeking street. Cr. D. Bourke moved that....the change of name be made as desired .....Seconded by Cr. a'Beckett and carried.  (South Bourke and Mornington Journal August 15, 1900, see here).
The name was changed, it was still called that in 1918 but I don't know how long it lasted, because it is not called that now.

Nurse Lowen of Mafeking Street, Pakenham East

Pakenham Gazette April 26, 1918  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article92152200

What follows are the accounts of local celebrations. This all took place 120 years ago - attitudes and language have changed  a lot since then.

Berwick
From The Argus, May 25, 1900, see here.
The enthusiasm here was intense on Wednesday. An immense bonfire was lit on the highest part of the township, and a splendid display of fireworks was shown, lasting for two hours. The school children were assembled at the post-office, where patriotic songs were sung. They were then marched to the scene of the bonfire, and cheers were given for the Queen, Major-General Baden-Powell and his garrison, and Lord Roberts.

Berwick
From the South Bourke & Mornington Journal May 30, 1900, see here.
The rejoicings over the relief of Mafeking are past, and Berwick turned out right loyally on Wednesday to participate in the general festivities. We had a grand display of fireworks and a large bonfire, in the evening, and it was a pretty sight to see the rockets and other incendiaries ascending.

Cranbourne
From the South Bourke and Mornington Journal, May 23, 1900, see here.
To say that Cranbourne looked gay on Saturday last would be putting it very mildly indeed. News of the relief of Mafeking caused residents to make a bold display in honor of the event, and the amount of enthusiasm shewn by the townspeople was very great.

Cranbourne
From the South Bourke & Mornington Journal May 30, 1900, see here.
Our quiet little township made a great demonstration on Wednesday last in honor of the relief of Mafeking. People from Cranbourne and district gathered in large numbers at the Shire Hall in the evening, when speeches of a patriotic nature by Mr. Downward, M.L.A. (7),  President Le Roux (8), and Mr. J. W. C. McLellan (9), and other gentlemen were given. Appropriate songs were rendered by Mrs. Wiltshire (10) and Miss Allan, each number being illustrated by the Rev. E. Robertson on a screen with the aid of a magic lantern. The assemblage sang "Rule Britannia" and "God Save the Queen," whilst hearty cheers were given for Her Majesty, Major-General Baden-Powell, Lord Roberts, and General White (11). At the close of the proceedings the Rev. A. A. Wiltshire (10) thanked those who had assisted in the evening's entertainment, and expressed the hope that the war would soon be over. The band played a number of selections, and a collection taken up to defray expenses resulted in over £2 being gathered. The hosts of our respective hotels laid themselves open for the occasion, and their respective houses were gaily dressed in bunting, whilst a line of streamers floated bravely over the main street. Truly "there was a sound of revelry by night," and-an-array of defunct "Sandersons" (12) in a certain pub next morning testified to the fact that both the "spirit" and the flesh were willing.

Relief of Mafeking Celebration in Pakenham

Image: North of the Line: a pictorial record (Berwick Pakenham Historical Society 1996)

Pakenham
From the South Bourke and Mornington Journal May 23, 1900, see here.
Our friend Host Hogan (13), of the Gembrook Hotel, was so delighted at the relief of Mafeking that he held open house for the night, and the rejoicings were carried out in a very enthusiastic manner, singing and dancing (for joy) being vigorously carried on till further orders. There in no doubt about Mr. Hogan being a Britisher, and he very fitly hoisted the Union Jack and Stars and Stripes interwoven at the salute on Monday. Never, before, and probably never again, in the lives of the present residents, will there be occasion to celebrate such a memorable and soul stirring event as the relief of Mafeking. For seven months, against overwhelming odds, "stormed at by shot and shell" daily, and the last month literally starving, this garrison of solid heroes knew not defeat, but actually, almost on the last days of the siege, rushed out of the beleaguered town and inflicted a severe defeat upon the enemy.

Little wonder that the whole civilised world is to-day looking with awe and reverent respect on the nation that can produce men capable of such a feat of endurance and such unsurpassed bravery and heroism; and it is good, that even in a little township like ours, that on such an occasion as this we should rejoice and be thankful that we belong to the empire that claims these heroes of Mafeking as her sons and daughters. On Saturday night, there was indeed "a sound of revelry" in the township, and every patriotic song known was sung and received with deafening cheers, the assemblage letting their long pent-up feelings loose with a vengeance. A tall pole was set up in the township and a large new Union Jack hoisted, whilst at Webster and James' and Paternoster's store, the empire's flags were very conspicuous.

On Monday the flag was hauled down until 2.30 p.m., when the local detachment of Mounted Rifles with their captain preparatory to their drill drew, up in front of the pole, and hoisted the Union Jack with which was interwoven the Stars and Stripes of America, amid the cheers of the people present, and fired a Royal salute to the flag, of 21 guns. The National Anthem was then sung and cheers given Baden-Powell and "Our Bobs," and with the consent of the captain, three more cheers for the American flag. The assemblage then dispersed, to meet again on Wednesday (to-day) to further celebrate this gallant and glorious defence and relief.

Pakenham
From the South Bourke and Mornington Journal May 30, 1900 see here.
The relief of Mafeking was celebrated in a right royal manner here, and our usually staid township fairly eclipsed itself in the effort to do honor to the gallant defender and his band of heroes. The children attending the three local schools marched in procession from the Toomuc Creek bridge through Old Pakenham, along the Main road to the Mechanics' Institute in the new township singing patriotic songs and waving Union Jack flags to the strains of music provided by Mr. C. Battersby, who headed the procession in a buggy. They were halted under a line of flags across the Main street, including the Union Jack, Royal Standard, Stars and Stripes, and others, when they sang the National Anthem. They then adjourned to the Hall, where tea and edibles were served to young and old. Patriotic songs were then sung by Mr. W. Close amidst ringing cheers, the singing being taking up by the audience must enthusiastically. Loud cheers were given for The Queen, Baden-Powell, Lord Roberts, and the Union Jack. The children were marched under the leadership of our worthy Racing Club secretary, Mr. R. C.Clements, who was assisted by the teachers of the respective schools, and every praise is due to them for the efficiency of the arrangements. A special word of praise is due to the members of the Rifle Club, as it was they who very fitly mooted the idea and to two of their members -  Messrs. W. H. Bloomfield and H. Hogan who collected the amount due to defray the cost of the treat - but they must have felt well repaid for any trouble taken in the matter to hear the happy expressions of approval given sound to by the juveniles and seconded by their seniors. A souvenir handkerchief was presented to every child marching, which they will no doubt treasure in remembrance and honor of the brave souls who so gallantly defended Mafeking. A matter spoken of during the proceedings was the formation of a local band, and, as there is plenty of material here, the matter is well worthy of the residents' consideration, and it is hoped someone will take this matter, up at once.

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Trove List - I have created a list of articles on Trove about any local connections to the Boer War and any articles on the Relief of Mafeking Celebrations, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) President Kruger -  Stephanus Johannes Paulus Kruger (1925 - 1904). He was president of the Transvaal, or South African Republic, from 1883 until his flight to Europe in 1900, after the outbreak of the South African (Boer) War. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica, see here.
(2) Eloff -  Sarel Eloff, described as a 'dashing young officer', grandson of President Kruger. You can see a photograph of him, here. He was taken Prisoner of War at Mafeking and sent to St Helena along with Piet Cronje and others.
(3) Piet Cronje - Pieter Arnoldus Cronjé (1836 - 1911), was a Boer General. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica, see here.
(4) Robert Baden-Powell - Robert Baden-Powell (1857-1941) 1st Baron Baden-Powell of Gilwell, established the Boy Scout movement in 1908. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica see here.
(5) Colonel Mahon - General Sir Bryan Mahon (1862-1930), British General and later an Irish Senator. See his obituary here.
(6) Lord Roberts - Lord Roberts (1832 - 1914) was Frederick Sleigh Roberts, 1st Earl Roberts, a British Field Marshal. Source: Encyclopedia Britannica  see here.
(7) Mr Downward, M.L.A - Alfred Downward (1847 - 1930). Member for the Legislative Assembly seat of Mornington from 1894 until 1929. Source: Parliament of Victoria website, see here.
(8) President Le Roux - Prosper Henry Victor Le Roux, Cranbourne Shire Councillor 1896 until 1905. Shire President 1899-1900. Source: The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire.
(9) Mr. J. W. C. McLellan -  John William Charles McLellan -  Cranbourne land owner and Councilor 1903 - 1905.  Source: The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire.
(10) Reverend A.A. Wiltshire and Mrs Wiltshire - Albert Arthur Wiltshire. The Reverend Wiltshire was the Anglican Minister, President of the Cranbourne Brass Band established in May 1899, and a member of the Cranbourne Rifle Club formed in March 1900. He died in an accident in 1908 at the age of 42, you can read his obituary here.The other information comes from The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire. Mrs Wiltshire was born Sara Hodgson and they married in 1890.
(11) General White -  Field Marshal Sir George Stuart White (1835 - 1912). Awarded the Victoria Cross in the Afghan War in 1879. Source: the British Empire website, see here.
(12) Sandersons - was a brand of Scotch Whiskey.
(13) Host Hogan of the Gembrook Hotel - Charles F. Hogan was the licensee of the Hotel from at least 1894. The Gembrook Hotel is the hotel in Main Street in Pakenham near the Railway Station.

Local Boer War soldiers

The Boer War was fought between British forces against the Boers, or Dutch-Afrikaner settlers in South Africa from 1899 until 1902. The War was also called the South African War and referred to as the Second Boer War. The First Boer War, fought between the Boers and the British, took place in 1880-1881, but no Australian troops were officially involved.

Australians who served  in the War were all volunteers. The Australian War Memorial website explains - Australians served in contingents raised by the six colonies or, from 1901, by the new Australian Commonwealth. For a variety of reasons many Australians also joined British or South African colonial units in South Africa: some were already in South Africa when the war broke out; others either made their own way or joined local units after their enlistment in an Australian contingent ended. Recruiting was also done in Australia for units which already existed in South Africa, such as the Scottish Horse. You can read more about Boer War on the Australian War Memorial website   https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/boer

This post looks at some of the local men who served in the Boer War. This is a work in progress, I am sure there are many others, so if I have missed any please let  me know. The South African War / Boer War Nominal Rolls can be found here, on the Australian War Memorial website. The Nominal Rolls contain very basic information - name, rank, service number and sometime there is a line about some aspect of their service. The Australians in the Boer War website is also a good source of information, see here.

Bain, Donald Stewart  Donald, born in 1880, was the eleventh and last child of Robert and Susan (nee Stewart) Bain of the Berwick Inn (Border Hotel), established by Robert in Berwick in 1857. He enlisted in either Robert's Light Horse or Kitchener's Fighting Scouts or the  Kaffarian Rifles according to various reports (1).   When Donald returned he became a Stock & Station Agent,  and then he enlisted in the A.I.F in August 1914. Donald was discharged in medical grounds - neurasthenia and shell shock - two years later. You can read his First World War  Personnel Dossier, here. Donald died in 1937, aged 56.

Donald Bain of Berwick, promoted to Lieutenant

South Bourke & Mornington Journal November 6, 1901 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70047917

Chambers, Michael James.  Enlisted in the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles. Michael had also enlisted in the First World War on  March 6 1918 at the age of 38. He lived in Modella and had a wife, Labela and three children. Their son, Ronald, was the Shire of Berwick Engineer from 1948 until 1973, and then the Shire of Pakenham Engineer until 1977. The family are the source of the name Chambers Road, Modella. The R.J. Chambers Reserve in Pakenham Upper is named for Ronald.  Michael died in 1961 aged 85. See his Boer War Nominal Roll, here and his First World War file, here.

Procession of the Victorian Contingent of armed forces to the South African  War, along Spring Street, Melbourne, 28 October 1899. Photographer: E.J. Frazer

State Library of Victoria Image  H36420/42

Davies, Arnold Mercer. Enlisted in the Victorian [Citizen] Bushmen, see his Nominal Roll entry, here. Arnold was the son of Sir Matthew Davies - the first Speaker of the Victorian Parliament, who was born in Australia. Arnold had a letter about his experience of fighting in South Africa, published in The Argus in September 1900. You can read the letter and find out more information about his family, here.  I am not actually sure how he is connected to this region, however Arnold and Alfred Robinson were welcomed home at a function at the Narre Warren North Mechanics' Institute on Friday, February 22, 1901. I presume he was farming in the area. There was a report of the welcome home in the local paper and it starts thus  - It is hardly possible that at any country town within the colony such a handsome welcome home was extended to our returned soldiers as that which took place at the Mechanics Institute, Narre Warren North, Friday night last.

The assemblage comprised visitors from Dandenong, Berwick and the surrounding district well as a strong force of the local residents and numbered about two hundred and fifty, possibly a record attendance at any similar gathering at Narre Warren. The idea of inviting ladies was a great success, nearly half the audience being composed of members of the fair sex. Arnold and Alfred were each   presented with a handsome gold medal, suitably inscribed to the effect that they were given by residents as a token of esteem.  You can read a full report of the event, here, in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal of  February 27, 1901.

After his return Arnold was farming for a time at Doodakine in Western Australia according to the 1909 Electoral Rolls (2).  Doodakine is 230 kms east of Perth. He returned to Victoria and enlisted in the A.I.F in November 1914 at the age  of 38. I can't tell you what he did during the War as he also enlisted in the Second World War and the personnel files have been combined and are not yet digitised. The WW2 Nominal Roll entry states he was born in 1887 - he was actually born 1876. It will be interesting to read the personnel file once it is digitised.

Elmes, John Turner. (Listed as Elms in the Nominal Roll).  John was the son of the late Dr Elmes of Berwick who had served the Berwick community from around 1870 until his death in 1893, at the age of 54. Early Days of  Berwick says that Dr Elmes also treated cases at Brandy Creek [Warragul]  thirty five miles away, being their nearest Doctor.  John served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Rifles, see his Nominal Roll entry, here. When John returned he managed various farms in the Western District, including Terang where he died in 1945, aged 69. John's brothers, Frederick and Herbert served in World War One;  Herbert was Killed in Action in France on November 5, 1916.

Welcome home for John Elms and Arthur Ogilvy.

The Age, January 1, 1901 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196064873?

Gamble, William. Served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Rifles. After the War, William became the Principal of the Dookie Agricultural College. He and his wife Barbara moved to Berwick in 1922 and farmed at Burnbank, in partnership with Edwin Flack, Australia's first Olympian. Barbara, was the first President of the Berwick Country Women's Association and died in 1944 at the age of 66 (3). William died in 1960 aged 91. They are both buried at Berwick Cemetery. See William's Nominal Roll entry, here.

Gardiner, John James. Served with the 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen and was Mentioned in Commander-in-Chief's Despatches on April 2, 1901. John also enlisted in the First World War, you can read about this service, here. John was a Civil Engineer and was employed as a Shire Engineer in councils in New South Wales and Queensland, before he retired in 1935 and returned to live in Berwick. He was also a councillor for the Shire of Berwick. See John's Nominal Roll entry, here.

The Herald 'World of Sport' column of July 20, 1900 published  a letter from Charles Searle (see below) about life in South Africa and he mentioned John Gardiner -
Though they have to take their share of shot and shell the boys in South Africa manage to find time for football. A Berwick boy with the Tasmanian contingent has sent an account of a match to Mr. Searle of Berwick, and Mr Searle has very kindly forwarded It to me. It is as follows:— "A most interesting and exciting combat took place to-day between the Tasmanian and South Australian Bushmen Contingents on the eve of the departure of the Tassies for Bulawayo, resulting in a win for the Tassies by 6 points, Stanworth (capt.) and Sergeant Gardner of Berwick, both Victorians, being conspicuous for Tasmania, and Wilson, Roberts and Kerr for South Australia."

Hillman, Alfred Ernest  From Pakenham. Enlisted in the 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles. You can read about him, here.

Leggett, Sid  Sid joined Robert's Light Horse in South Africa with Donald Bain. The boys were both from Berwick, that is all I know about him.  A Miss Jean Leggett attended the Loyal Berwick Lodge Annual ball in August 1905 (4)  and she may be his sister, but I am unsure.

Report of Don Bain and Sid Leggatt from South Africa

South Bourke and Mornington Journal July 18, 1900 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70046016

Morris, John Crisop.  Enlisted in the 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry (see Nominal Roll here) where he had the role of Bugler, and the 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse (see here). He reached the rank of Squadron Sergeant Major in the 7th Battalion. John Morris also enlisted in the First World War on September 24, 1914 at the age of 38. He had the unusual occupation of actor and he was born in Townsville, enlisted in Melbourne and his mother, who his next of kin, was also from Townsville. He Returned to Australia December 16, 1917 suffering from 'cardiac arythmia'. You can read his First World War  Personnel Dossier, here. Morris is listed in the Electoral Rolls at Pakenham Upper in 1919, his occupation is orchardist. In 1922 he was granted a Soldier Settlement farm at Yarram, read about this here, on the Battle to Farm website.

Victorian Mounted Rifles leaving for the Boer War. Photo taken in Market Street in Melbourne. 

Photographer: Lewis F. East. 

State Library of Victoria Image H28378

Ogilvy, Arthur James.  Served with the 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles, and the 2nd Scottish Horse.  Arthur was the son of James W. Ogilvy, of Buchanan Road, in Berwick. Early Days of Berwick said that James was the son of one of Melbourne's earliest solicitors, was one of he first pupils at Scotch College and had witnessed the departure of the Burke & Wills Expedition in 1860. Interesting connections to Melbourne's early history. Arthur was 'welcomed home' with Jack Elms at the smoke night held at the Rechabite Hall in Berwick. He also served in the First World War in the 2nd Light Horse, where he hald the rank of Captain. Captain Ogilvy was Mentioned in Despatches, and Returned to Australia May 1919. You can read his Boer War Nominal Roll entry, here and his First World War Personnel Dossier, here.

Captain Ogilvy pays a visit to Berwick

South Bourke & Mornington Journal May 29, 1919. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66196124

Osborne, Henry Houston. Served with the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles and was a Lieutenant.  Henry is listed in the Electoral Roll at Clyde from 1912 to 1926. His occupation was farm manager. Henry died 1944 aged 84 and was the son of James and Esther (nee Houston) Osborne. Henry married Leila Caroline Kennedy in 1895 in a 'fashionable wedding' at All Saints Church in St Kilda in January 1895, you can read about it here. His Nominal Roll entry is here.

Pritchard, George. Served with the Victorian Imperial Bushmen. The notation in the Nominal Roll syas that Returned Victoria 5/1/01; reported fit; Returned to South Africa and rejoined 4/4/01. His Nominal roll entry is here. George also served in World War One, he was living in Yannathan when he enlisted and you can read his World War One Personnel Dossier, here.

Robinson, Alfred James.  Served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Infantry Company. Alfred, born 1877,  was the son of George Washington and Eliza Robinson  of Hillsley, Narre Warren North.  George was the Shire of Berwick Engineer and Shire Secretary for Ferntree Gully (5).  Alfred's mother, Eliza was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Walton, of Holly Green, Narre Warren. This was the property acquired by Sidney Webb and is now the site of Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. Alfred married Jessie Lyon of Harkaway on February 22, 1910. Alfred's Nominal Roll entry is here.

Alfred Robinson, 'invalided home'

The Argus April 25, 1900  http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9057466

Searle, Charles John. Served in the Victorian Imperial Bushmen. Charles was the son of  Henry Searle, of Berwick. Henry was a Blacksmith and operated from the corner of High Street and Wheeler Street from around 1860. Charles Searle had two of his letters from South Africa published in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal, I have reproduced them here. According to Early days of Berwick, Charles remained to reside in South Africa at the conclusion of hostilities. Read his Nominal Roll entry, here.

Shreeve, James William. Served in the 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse. James was a professional soldier and also served in the First World War. His parents were William and Emma (nee Daniels) Shreeve, of Mount Marshall, Garfield.  See his Boer War Nominal Roll entry, here and his World War One Personnel Dossier, here.


Trove list - I have created a list of articles on Trove  on the Boer War / South African War with a connection to the Casey Cardinia region or Dandenong, access it here.

Footnotes
(1) Donald Bain's Boer War service -  South Bourke and Mornington Journal July 18, 1900 says he enlisted in the Robert's Light Horse, see here; South Bourke & Mornington Journal November 6, 1901 says he joined Kitchener's Fighting Scouts, see here; his World War One Personnel Dossier says he also served in the Kaffarian Rifles, see here.
(2) The Electoral Rolls are available on Ancestry.
(3) This information is from Mrs Gamble's short obituary was in The Dandenong Journal, January 12, 1944, see here.
(4) South Bourke & Mornington Journal August 16, 1905, see here.
(5) Early Days of Berwick.