Centenary exhibition of the Anglo-Boer War

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Anglo-Boer War Study Group of Australia

EXHIBITION GALLERY No. 5

Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902

MEMORIES ARE MADE OF THESE

Collecting war memorabilia can be an expensive and

time-consuming hobby, but it also helps preserve

important historical and sociological items. This

is especially true of memorabilia of the 'forgotten

war', the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902.

In the centre of the photo is a Boer 7.57mm Mauser Carbine that was used by:

Kommandant G. C. du Plessis, O. V. S., 1900.

Veldkornet M. A. de Beer.

Above and below the rifle are mementos of Australian Armourer Sergeant Alf Baker:

Boer 75mm shell case (stamped 'Paris').

British Pattern 1888 bayonet.

Queen Victoria chocolate tins (right of photo)

Pattern 1888 bayonet with snapped blade.

Assorted British and Boer medals.

Close-up of the broken pattern 1888 bayonet. The

fortunes of war. A bullet snapped this bayonet and

nicked its scabbard, in this case slowing the projectile

enough to prevent a major injury. Above is one of the

much treasured tins of Queen's chocolates distributed

as a Christmas gift to British (and Australian) soldiers.

Corporal Sam Ramsay's uniform,

believed to be the only 5 VMR

uniform in Australia. Also visible

in the display case are a .303 Lee

Enfield Mk 1 rifle, Lee Metford

bayonet, 50-round bandolier and

his Queen's South Africa medal.

A comemorative coin "To the memory

of those who gave their lives for Queen

and Country".

An embroidered sash band worn by Boer General Christiaan R. De Wet.

An intricately carved wooden rifle butt, indicating that

the rifle's owner had been present at the Siege of

Mafeking.

A beautifully carved bookend - Lest We Forget

MEDALS AND

DECORATIONS

The medals of Captain Peter James Dallimore,

a farmer from Warrnambool, Victoria, who served as a Private and Sergeant in the

2nd Victorian Contingent. He was Mentioned in Despatches, see emblem at top of

his QSA (Queen's South Africa Medal, left). In the centre is his KSA (King's South

Africa Medal). He later joined the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles, being severely

wounded at the disastrous encounter at Wilmansrust.

Link to external website with information about Wilmansrust. Click here.

The medals of James Douglas Tolmer, a Private

in the 2nd South Australian Mounted Rifles, a unit

in which bush poet Harry 'Breaker' Morant had

enlisted. Tolmer later joined the 5th South

Australian Imperial Bushmen. In WW1, he joined

the 3rd Light Horse as a Lieutenant, commanding

14 Company of the ANZAC Camel Corps.

No. 548 Trooper J. Bonner earned his

Queen's South AFrica Medal with the Victorian Mounted Rifles, and his King's South

Africa Medal with the Special Squadron, Steinaeker's Horse, In 1901 he joined the

Bushveldt Carbineers, the unit which included Harry 'Breaker' Morant. Morant was

one of two Australians executed by firing party for killing Boer prisoners. The case still

excites controversy today.

Former NSW Artilleryman A. R. Pitcher's medals.

He had served earlier in Egypt (1882), Suakin (1885)

and during the Matabele Wars (1893, 1896). During

the Anglo-Boer War, he was wounded on 1 Jan. 1900

at the Siege of Mafeking.

Carefully preserved in this wooden case is

the Queen's South Africa Medal earned by No. 2058 Sgt. Cecil Selywn

Smith of the 3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles. Smith was a shearer,

formerly from St. Kilda in Victoria. He died at Cape Town, South Africa,

on 27 July 1902 of typhoid, aged 32.

SHORT SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY

Oosthuizen, Pieter: Boer War Memorabilia: The Collectors' Guide: Alderman Press: UK: 1987

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