THE BOER WAR 1899-1902
Beecroft and Cheltenham Volunteers:
DAVID JOHN (Dave) WILLIS
David Willis was born in 1880, son of George Frederick and Delilah Willis, in the district of Boorawa, N.S.W.1
Private D. Willis, of Beecroft, of F Company (Hornsby Junction) of the Australian Rifles, having passed the medical examination, joined the contingent which left for the Cape in the S.S. Aberdeen on 3rd November 1899.
Included in the contingency were Staff Colour-Sergeant P. P. Murphy, Lance-Corporal J. Foster, Hornsby Junction; W. M. Moore, Galston; Private E. Owens, Galston; Private E. Osborn, Normanhurst.
“F Company” was well represented at the regimental send-off on 1st November.2
By March 1900 Dave Willis is listed as being of the N.S.W. Infantry, 1st Contingent, formerly of the 6th N.S.W. Infantry Regiment. That month it was reported from Water Cloof [Waterkloof, Pretoria, South Africa] Camp, that he had lost his rifle and had to dismount and go back and find it.3
On 1st October 1900 David John Willis was killed in battle at Elandskop, South Africa, aged 20 years.
A cable sent simply states: “Killed in action, October 1. at Elandskop.”
A memorial service was held on 28th October at St. John’s Church, Beecroft. There was a large attendance of some 300 to 400, along with 60 members of F Company and 30 members of the regimental band.
A public meeting was held on 29th October at Miss Ogden’s schoolroom to decide what steps should be taken to perpetuate his memory. A drinking fountain, suitable inscribed, was the outcome.4
During October and November it was rumoured that Trooper Dave Willis was “alive and well” at the front, due to several colonials of that name being in South Africa. This created some confusion for the Willis Memorial Committee of the Beecroft Progress Association, and slowed down subscriptions for the memorial. The rumour was eventually dismissed when proven false and the work for a memorial commenced in earnest.5
The following particulars of the death and burial of Private Dave Willis, N.S.W. Infantry, 1st Contingent (formerly of the Hornsby Company, 6th N.S.W. Regiment) are given in a letter addressed by Captain F. Dove (commanding the squadron “at the front” to which Private Willis belonged) to Sergeant Murphy (of the 6th Regiment), Hornsby, under date, Witkepper, near Vredefort, South Africa, October 17, 1900: – “I sincerely regret to have to inform you of the death in action of Private D. Willis, of the Hornsby Company of your regiment. He was wounded in the thigh on the morning of the 1st instant at Elandskop, near Hilbouen, and died during the afternoon. We had made a night march to surprise a Boer laager at Elandskop. My squadron led the advance, and we surprised two Boers lying asleep near a small rocky kopje. I sent five men at a gallop to kill or capture them. The enemy ran round the foot of the kopje, and meeting Privates Holley and Willis, shot them before they could dismount – Halley through the heart and Willis through the upper part of the thigh (the bullet remaining inside near the bladder). When I came to him immediately after, he said, “Holley is badly hit, he ought to have a doctor,” showing his unselfish spirit. A doctor was soon on the scene, and an ambulance brought, but poor Willis’s case was hopeless, and he soon saw it himself. He was game, however, to the last, and asked that his people might know that he “died a good soldier.” And so he was – well conducted in camp and brave in the field. Holley and he are buried at the foot of Elandskop on the western side. Every officer and man in the camp attended the funeral, the service which was conducted by Father Patrick, the only clergyman available. Of course the service was unsectarian. Sorrowing comrades placed a wooden cross with name, etc., cut thereon over each.6
“The other night we lost two fine young fellows as the result of our night manoeuvres – Privates Willis and Holley of E squadron. Both were shot dead at daybreak, having ridden to within thirty yards of the Boers who were concealed in the rocks. They sank calmly and resignedly without a struggle, and looked as brave in death as they often proved themselves in life. They were both Church of England men. Having leisure to arrange their burial, we felt somewhat the want of a chaplain. The emergency gave an opportunity for a fine display of wide Christian feeling by one of the most popular men wearing the Queen’s uniform in South Africa. I refer to Father Patrick, Roman Catholic Chaplain to the Australian troops. At our request Fr. Patrick consented to read the Church of England service over our dead comrades. He appeared to me to impart special fervour and impressiveness into the old ritual, and as we turned away from the grave everyone had a kindly word for the good padre’s graceful act. Eland’s Kop marks the place where these brave lads sleep, and may they rest in peace.”7
By June the Willis Memorial Committee had £30 in hand and it was decided to have erected within the Village Green enclosure, an imposing drinking fountain, made of Pyrmont stone, and rising to a height of 12ft. The memorial, would be suitably inscribed, to cost £25, and the balance to cover the cost of laying on the water. The committee proceeded to the Village Green to select the site, on a bright moonlight night. They decided upon a spot just inside the gateway and immediately opposite the residence of Mr. Birkenhead.
In August some of the large trees immediately in the vicinity of the entrance to the Village Green were cleared for the erection of the Willis Memorial.
By October the memorial was built and erected by Mr. F. Smith, of Rookwood.
The fountain was unveiled on Sunday 24th November 1901, and was an imposing ceremony.
“The fountain is designed from a combination of various styles of architecture, for the most part of an Elizabethan type, and is therefore classed as early English. It is laid upon a concrete foundation one foot deep, and mounted upon a solid base or platform of Pyrmont stone measuring 8 foot by 4 feet 6 inches. What is called the die, in which the inscription panel is set – in white polished marble tablet – measures 3 feet 10 inches by 2 feet 6 inches, the tablet itself being 3 foot by 1 foot 6 inches. Laid upon this block are the basins on either side, the dimensions of each being 4 foot 6 inches by 2 feet 3 inches. The shaft of the monument arises from this and goes to a height of 3 foot 3 inches in obelisk form with a spire and has a finale of beautiful sculpture work. The face of the shaft bears a piece of sculpture work representing a rifle and sword crossed, bandolier, etc, exquisitely carved in full relief. The fountain is provided with two taps nickel-plated.”
The inscription on the tablet reads as follows:
“Erected by the Residents of the District in Memory of DAVID JOHN WILLIS Killed in Battle
At Elandskop, South Africa, October 1st, 1900 Aged 20 Years.”8
THOMAS KELLY
On 23rd January 1895, at the Wesleyan Church, Newtown, Thomas Kelly, police constable, of Bulli, N.S.W., married Rose Caroline Granter, of Wickham, near Newcastle.9
In January 1900 Constable Kelly, in charge of the Beecroft Police station, startled some of his hearers by stating, whilst giving evidence in a case, that until recently he was a police constable stationed at Beecroft, but was now a member of the Contingent about to sail for South Africa. He goes to the front as a private, having been given leave of absence, by the Police Department. He was said to be a most efficient officer, and straightforward and most zealous in the performance of his duties.
Constable Kelly was succeeded at Beecroft by Constable Wade.
Thomas Kelly, Service No. 420, served with the N.S.W. Medical Team. He was decorated for gallantry and mentioned in despatches.10
“Kelly, the Beecroft policeman, reached here [Heidelburg, Transvaal] to-day [sometime in June] with the A.M.C. He is quite well.”11
By December 1900 Thomas Kelly had returned home from South Africa. Though in good health and spirit, he has had a thorough tanning, and has lost about three stone in weight.12
In 1929 Police-Inspector Kelly, of Burwood, who has been a member of the police force for 35 years, commenced long service leave prior to retirement. He has served, at Bulli, Ryde, Beecroft, Castle Hill, Parramatta, Shellharbour, Liverpool, Manly, Lidcombe, Marrickville, and Ashfield and Burwood.13
In 1932 Thomas Kelly died at a private hospital at Ashfield, aged 62 years. He was widely known In Masonic circles.
He is survived by Mrs. Kelly, two sons (Mr Roy Kelly, chamber magistrate at Kempsey, and Mr. P A. J. Kelly, deputy town clerk at Ashfield), and two daughters (Miss Doris Kelly, who Is on the clerical staff of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and Miss Caroline Kelly, who is on the teaching staff of the Technical College at Newcastle).14
SYDNEY NORFOLK BARNBY
Sydney Barnby was born in 1881 in Sydney, son of Alfred and Angelina Barnby.15
He attended Fort Street High School, Sydney.
In March 1901 Sydney Barnby, of Cheltenham, was about to proceed to South Africa as one of C Squadron, 2nd Regiment of Mounted Infantry. A fashionable gathering numbering nearly 200 assembled on the cricket ground at Beecroft to witness the presentation to him of a gold watch chain with pendant suitably inscribed.
He was also accorded a send-off by their fellow-officers of the Water and Sewerage Board Service Association, at a smoke concert, and was given a gold token, suitably inscribed.16
He is recorded as being a trooper, 2nd N.S.W. Mounted Rifles, Reg. No. 643. He received the Queen’s South Africa Medal.17
In June 1902 the Water and Sewerage Board held a smoke concert as a welcome home to Trooper Barnby who had returned from the front.
In July a delightful “at home,” which took the shape of music and dancing, was given in Miss Ogden’s schoolroom [Beecroft] by Mrs. Barnby, in honour of the return of her son, Mr. Sydney Norfolk Barnby, from South Africa. Mr. Barnby was with the 2nd Regiment of Mounted Rifles, under Colonel Lasseter, and had been absent about 12 months.18
In 1912 a wedding at Murwillumbah was celebrated by the Rev. S. O. Goodchild, when Mr. Sydney Barnby, son of Mr. Alfred Barnby, of Beecroft, and step-brother of Mr. A. E. Wachsmann, of Beecroft, was married to Miss Dorothy Francis Bray, second youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Bray, of Kynnumboon.19
CHARLES GILBERT
Charles E. and Marian Gilbert (nee Semple) were married in 1884, district of Young, N.S.W.
By 1896 they had moved to Beecroft.
In August 1896 Charles Gilbert delivered a recitation at meeting of the [Wesleyan Chapel] Band of Hope at Beecroft.
A son, Walter Humphrey, died on 28th October 1901, at Beecroft, aged 6 months.
Another son, Harold Semple, died on 23rd September 1902, at Beecroft, aged 15 years.21
In November 1901 three Beecroft youths, Privates Charles Gilbert, W. Hopkins and Fred. Smith, of the Australian Rifles [at Hornsby], and Private Pollard, of Thornleigh, left on Saturday last in the S.S. ‘Cornwall’, for South Africa. The ‘Cornwall’ is to take 800 remounts to South Africa from Bowen (Queensland), and the lads have gone to take charge, or assist in taking charge of the horses. It was thought that they would enlist on their arrival in South Africa.
The ‘Cornwall’ arrived at Bowen on November 6. After loading horses it returned to Sydney via Brisbane [then on to South Africa].20
It is assumed that Alfred Charles Gilbert, born 1885, son of Charles E. & Marian Gilbert, is the Charles Gilbert who attempted to go to South Africa.
Whether he went with the ship to South Africa is uncertain.
TREVOR WILLIAM (William) HOPKINS
Trevor William Hopkins was born in 1884, son of Frederick W. and Mary M. Gilbert, in the district of Petersham.
In 1901 he was the son of the popular Beecroft stationmaster, Frederick William Hopkins.
In November 1901 three Beecroft youths, Privates Charles Gilbert, W. Hopkins and Fred. Smith, of the Australian Rifles [at Hornsby], and Private Pollard, of Thornleigh, left on Saturday last in the S.S. ‘Cornwall’, for South Africa. The ‘Cornwall’ is to take 800 remounts to South Africa from Bowen (Queensland), and the lads have gone to take charge, or assist in taking charge of the horses. It was thought that they would enlist on their arrival in South Africa.
The ‘Cornwall’ arrived at Bowen on November 6. After loading horses it returned to Sydney via Brisbane [then on to South Africa].20
He did go to South Africa. By August 1902 he had returned, after an absence of 12 months, where he served with the first regiment of Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts. He was welcomed home by his aunt, Mrs. Bell, of “Garfield,” Summer Hill.22
FREDERICK (Fred) SMITH
Details unknown.
In November 1901 three Beecroft youths, Privates Charles Gilbert, W. Hopkins and Fred. Smith, of the Australian Rifles [at Hornsby], and Private Pollard, of Thornleigh, left on Saturday last in the S.S. ‘Cornwall’, for South Africa. The ‘Cornwall’ is to take 800 remounts to South Africa from Bowen (Queensland), and the lads have gone to take charge, or assist in taking charge of the horses. It was thought that they would enlist on their arrival in South Africa.
The ‘Cornwall’ arrived at Bowen on November 6. After loading horses it returned to Sydney via Brisbane [then on to South Africa].20
Whether Fred Smith went with the ship to South Africa is uncertain.
Bibliography
1 N.S.W. Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages
2 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 4 November 1899
3 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 3 March 1900; Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Wednesday 14 March 1900
4 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Wednesday 10 October 1900; Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 20 October 1900; Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 3 November 1900
5 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 1 December 1900
6 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 5 January 1901
7 Freeman’s Journal, Saturday 1 December 1900
8 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 8 June 1901; Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 19 October 1901; Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 30 November 1901
9 Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate, Wednesday 30 January 1895
10 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 20 January 1900; Australian War Memorial records
11 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 4 August 1900
12 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 15 December 1900
13 Daily Telegraph, Monday 13 May 1929
14 Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 28 June 1932
15 NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
16 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 9 March 1901; Evening News, Saturday 16 March 1901
17 Australian War Memorial records
18 Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 14 June 1902; Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 12 July 1902
19 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 10 February 1912
20 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 9 November 1901; Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 12 November 1901; Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 13 November 1901
21 Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 29 August 1896; Daily Telegraph, Wednesday 30 October 1901; Daily Telegraph, Wednesday 24 September 1902; N.S.W. Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages
22 N.S.W. Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages; Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, Saturday 23 August 1902