April 2010 . . Samford and the Boer War
Recently I read that the Queensland Mounted Infantry celebrated their 150th. Anniversary. I was reminded of the strong links with Samford, particularly after the Boer War and up till WW1.
I quote "After the Boer War , a Troop of The Australian Light Horse was formed and functioned for many years in and around Samsonvale District. Most of the young men in the district were trained in it including my three brothers and myself." —Henry Ernest Salisbury (1876 – 1968) From the Salisbury Family.
Last year (2009) I went through the Samford Museum Records and entered every Surname into the Boer War Memorials Boer War Data Base and from the greater Samford area found 32 locals who had served in the Boer War (none killed fortunately). A tour of Duty was 12 months only, so some did more than one tour. Some were invalided out early and still others went on to answer the call again for WW1.
This year at the Samford Museum when we celebrate Anzac Day apart from the Sausage Sizzle / Morning Tea and our War Memories Display in the old Grovely Railway Station (on site ) we will have a display by the Boer War Memorial project Committee of Queensland. These people are taking the fight to Canberra because there is still no National Memorial to those who died in the Boer War, third only in numbers behind WW1 and WW2. If you have an ancestor who fought in the Boer War and would like to register as a Descendant, forms will be available on the day. Also we will have a computer on line for those who would like to see if they had an ancestor who served.
While researching the locals who had served, I found National Archives in Canberra had a 52 page manuscript written by Thomas Henry Gordon mostly about his time in South Africa .
He recalls the battle of Rhinosters Kop on the 29/11/1900 . The Siege of Elands River Camp where they were surrounded by Boers and the English Troops sent to save them took off when the Boers shot at them and it was nearly two weeks before they were relieved. Also the taking of Petersburgh in April 1901 plus other Skirmishes and Camp Life in general. As far as I know the Gordon Family were not aware of this manuscript which was written by Tom in 1950. A copy will be available for those who wish to view it.
If you have any information or photo’s on anybody who served in the Boer War or want a descendants registration form please visit the Museum on Anzac Day: or we are open every Wednesday and Sunday from 10:00 till 4;00, or contact the writer, Geoff. Harris, on 3289 4646 or email …..windyknoll@bigpond,com
Last year (2009) I went through the Samford Museum Records and entered every Surname into the Boer War Memorials Boer War Data Base and from the greater Samford area found 32 locals who had served in the Boer War (none killed fortunately). A tour of Duty was 12 months only, so some did more than one tour. Some were invalided out early and still others went on to answer the call again for WW1.
This year at the Samford Museum when we celebrate Anzac Day apart from the Sausage Sizzle / Morning Tea and our War Memories Display in the old Grovely Railway Station (on site ) we will have a display by the Boer War Memorial project Committee of Queensland. These people are taking the fight to Canberra because there is still no National Memorial to those who died in the Boer War, third only in numbers behind WW1 and WW2. If you have an ancestor who fought in the Boer War and would like to register as a Descendant, forms will be available on the day. Also we will have a computer on line for those who would like to see if they had an ancestor who served.
While researching the locals who had served, I found National Archives in Canberra had a 52 page manuscript written by Thomas Henry Gordon mostly about his time in South Africa .
He recalls the battle of Rhinosters Kop on the 29/11/1900 . The Siege of Elands River Camp where they were surrounded by Boers and the English Troops sent to save them took off when the Boers shot at them and it was nearly two weeks before they were relieved. Also the taking of Petersburgh in April 1901 plus other Skirmishes and Camp Life in general. As far as I know the Gordon Family were not aware of this manuscript which was written by Tom in 1950. A copy will be available for those who wish to view it.
If you have any information or photo’s on anybody who served in the Boer War or want a descendants registration form please visit the Museum on Anzac Day: or we are open every Wednesday and Sunday from 10:00 till 4;00, or contact the writer, Geoff. Harris, on 3289 4646 or email …..windyknoll@bigpond,com
Geoff. Harris.
