Letters from the 2nd Victorian Contingent to the Boer War

Ballan Times , Thursday 1 February 1900, page 2

Private W. J. Henderson

LETTERS FROM ALBANY.

Two letters have been received from Private Henderson. Writing to his parents on the 16th ult., he says:-

"Just a few lines to let you know how I am getting on. Well, we had a great march. My word it was hot, and the people made it hotter for us, because they pulled us about so, clapping us on the back, etc. However, we got on board alright, and said good-bye to all my friends who happened to he on the pier, and then the ship started, it was fine for a time, all the boats in the bay sailing up close, and cheering us, and we returned the cheers with a will. But I very much doubt if we would have been able to cheer about 6 hours after, we were all so horribly sea sick. It has been fine until to-day, but it is getting very rough now. Three or four men got wet through, just now, by a wave coming over the side.

We were all vaccinated yesterday; my arm is beginning to burn now. I suppose it will he bad to-morrow. The horses are getting on pretty fairly so far, though I believe one has hurt himself. We are getting any amount to eat but I didn't feel very much inclined to eat tonight. I think I am going to be seasick again. There is not much room for drill, but we had to do some to-day on the promenade deck.

How are all the folks in Ballan getting on. Did you get the portraits yet. I sent some "to Walbundrie and Elsternwick. We are going to call in at Albany to post these letters, and then go straight on to the Cape."

Ballan Times , Thursday 1 February 1900, page 2

Private W. J. Henderson

LETTERS FROM ALBANY.

Writing on the 18th, to Mr George Mehrens, be says:—

S.S. Euryalus, 18/1/1900. “Just a few lines to let you know I am still alive and kicking, but I wish I was at the Boers; I am tired of sea life. This old boat (Ed note:- built 1898) jumps and jerks and plays the dickens generally. I was very sea-sick for a few hours, but I am all right now. Some of the poor chaps are still very ill. We were all vaccinated three days ago. I can tell you my arm is giving me rats. We had a great send off, didn't we? Did you see the Dad after? Poor old chap, he tried to pluck up like a good one, but how are he and the mater taking it. I was sorry I could not go round and say good-bye to all the friends, but you will remember me to them, won’t you? Well, about ship life. There are about 150 of us sleeping in the lower deck, just above the hold, and we all eat and drink in the same room, not too healthy, eh? Reveille goes at 5 o'clock, and we drill until half-past 7, breakfast at 8; drill until half-past 11, dinner at 12; drill until 5, tea at 6; and all the horses must be fed and watered as well so you see there is not much time for play, yet still, I would not change my place for something. We have a piano and a band on board, so we have some amusement as well as work. We are …...(unreadable)…... time for any more so I must close. Please excuse writing, as the ship is bucking round all over the shop. I am afraid you will have to pay for this letter, as we don't get stamps on board, but I will pay you when I come back. So once more I must close with best wishes.”

Mercury and Weekly Courier, Friday 2 February 1900, page 3

s s. "EURYALUS." Mid-ocean, Jan. 15th, 1900.

Dear Auntie. A few lines to let you know how things are on- board. At this very moment there is a great cry of '" Whale!" all hands on deck to inspect one of the wonders of the deep. Mostly all hands have sea-sickness, but "'yours truly" must have a cast-iron constitution-have not felt the slightest effect of it. We are being looked after A1 on board. For break fast, the following:-Steak and onions, sausages, stews, brown and white bread,butter, jellies, coffee and tea. The "Ozone." " Pateena," and “Hygeia" accompanied us down the bay. We never saw anything of the Governor's yacht. We are to make a 5-minutes' call at Albany to enable us to post any letters, etc. All hands on board have just been vaccinated. (16th Jan.) We go on guard to-day-my group 24 hours of it-so you will have to content yourself with these few lines at present. More next time.

Your loving nephew, T. M. WELCH.

P.S.-I have been promoted to corporal (acting) to-day.-T.M.W

Euroa Advertiser, Friday 2 February 1900, page 3

FROM PTE. T. M. WELCH (2nd Contingent)

S.S. Euryalus, January 15, 1900.

We call in at Albany ths morning to post letters. The voyage so far has been uneventful, though seasickness is very prevalent, mostly all the troops having had a touch of it. I have not suffered at all, l am glad to say. All the Longwood boys are well at present, but are a little homesick, which can't be wondered at. The horses are standing the voyage well so far. All hands on board have just been vaccinated. I have been promoted to acting-Corporal of the guard, and I have 16 men prisoner this afternoon. One of the men refused to be vaccinated, and is going to be sent back from Albany.

Horsham Times , Friday 2 February 1900, page 3

A LETTER FROM CORPORAL WILSON

Mr. T. C. Wilson has received a letter, dated l7th January, from his nephew, Corporal Andrew Wilson, who is, with the other members of the Victorian Second Contingent, now on his way, by the steamer Euryalus, to South Africa. Corporal Wilson writes: -

" The weather has been very rough, and they say it will be worse. More than half of the men have been bad. We have gone up to the present 1000 miles, I am in charge of one troop, where there are l2 men; and I think I am the only one that has not been sick. There are four men under the doctor now, very ill. I have done 24 hours with the guard on deck, also at stable picket. The horses are standing the voyage well. We get up at six in the morning and make our bunks, and I have to see that the place is cleaned up before the officers come round, and then we have to drill till eight o'clock on deck, although it is almost impossible to stand up. Then we have breakfast. I have then to see things are washed up and put away properly, and the mess room cleaned. Then more drill till dinner time, after which we have two hours spell. Then more drill till 6 p.m., when we are off for the night. We have plenty of music and a very good concert at night till nine o'clock, when we have to go to bed. There is to be a church parade tonight at eight o'clock. Remember me to all my friends".

West Gippsland Gazette, Tuesday 20 February 1900, page 2

On Board the " Euryalus."

LETTER FROM SADDLER-SERGEANT ALLINSON. Saddler-Sergeant Allinson writes us from Albany to say the contingent were much gratified with the send off accorded them. " It was fit for royalty.

" The men were in good spirits after bidding farewell to the Ozone at 6.30 but anxious to make sure of a meal before passing the heads. About half the men were down with sea sickness and next morning an officer could be seen trying to find a bugler fit to sound the reveille. The cry among the men was for dry land as they would much prefer meeting the Boers to suffering the agonies of the sea. When off th coast of W.A. a shoal of whales sporting about helped to break the monotony of ship life for some time. There is an aboundance of good food, plenty of fruit, and a piano, and large collection of books for the use of the men.

By Tuesday most of the men had their sea legs and were able to do a little drill, though under difficulties as it was a most difficult task to keep the line by reason of the rolling of the ship.

Herald, Friday 2 March 1900, page 2

WITH THE SECOND CONTINGENT.

INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE.

ARRIVAL AT CAPETOWN.

(FROM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.).

TABLE BAY.

S.S. Euryalus, 5th February 1900 We are now Just steaming round the Lion's Head, and in little over half-an- hour from now will probably have dropped anchor, unless berthed in the docks. The crowd of shipping in the outer anchorage, however, hardly promises too well for our chances of a direct dock berth. Everybody is hugely excited, and highly pleased at the near prospect of once more stretching their legs. Dressed In their uniform, so long discarded fr slops, our boys look a well-set-up and business like lot. A trifle boyish, perhaps, and high-spirited — both failings on the proper side. The officers seem. if possible, more elated than the men and few more hearts will there be amongst those who go ashore. That is unless we receive orders to sail back to Durban, whither a number of us would persist In thinking we were bound.

PROMOTIONS.

I must record the promotion of Quartermaster Sergeant Fawns to Regimental Sergeant-major. Sergeant -major Jeffrays relinquishing that appointment. Corporal Matthews gets promoted to Q.M. Sergeant, and Sergeant Murray takes his place. All without Increase of pay. A threatened reversion to the ranks of several non coms, has, fortunately, not taken place. The officers themselves have been as hard-worked as the non coms, and our commanding officer has not spared them.

A FUSS ABOUT FRUIT.

No doubt the vaccination accounted for a considerable amount of the growling we had soon after our start. Recently we have had only one good growl. And that was really comic in Its triviality. Of course, you. know that a quantity of fruit was sent on board for the use of the contingent. But for days we never saw anything of It, except at about 5 In the evenings, when the officers used to find their way to the cases, stored on the promenade deck, and sample them freely and with gusto. One day some officer or other started slinging some apples down on to the winch deck, which soon became crowded with a struggling set of eager fruit-eaters. There was. some splendid "marking" done, but it was hardly good enough to see the stuff we all so keenly desired getting thrown about, so one happy youth started "cluck- clucking," and chicken feed fell some what into disrepute. The same evening the following note was sent in to the editor of the "Ocean Times," who, however, did not publish it:—

REGIMENTAL ORDERS.

SS. EURYALUS 1 – Chicken feed parade will continue to be held daily at 5p.m. All officers will attend with belts (query, do they get allowances pro rata with their pay?)

2 – It is notified for general information that it is contemplated to issue all other rations including Irish stew in the same manner. There were three or four other very Judicous little hits on different topics which struck home; and next day the fruit was sent round to the mess to be properly served out.

A SLIP ON THE STAIRS.

Since losing two of our comrades at Albany (left behind as medically unfit) we have very nearly lost another through an accident of dally occurrence— a slip on the stairs. Private Clarke, the sufferer, gave no extra star performance, it was quite a commonplace slide. But for ten days and more he has been a cripple, and narrowly missed doing himself a bad Injury to his spine. He is, however, quite himself again, none the worse for his accident or for the very severe blistering that helped to cure it.

AMUSEMENTS ON BOARD.

The greatest fun is, when after tea, the gloves are put on, and a nice little show is provided for those who see in this sport a splendid chance for letting off steam and settling differences without damage done and ll-feeling getting a free rein. Occasionally a really warm bout arouses great enthusiasm, and unless some timorous and officious non com. stops It, a rattling five minutes sets our tongues loose. Single sticks, too, have proved a constant source of relaxation, amusement and bruises. For some novices, especially, of the rustic breed, seem to consider It the proper thing 'to welt the antagonist as hard as possible. They are themselves quite prepared to take as much as they give — and they are seldom disappointed! 'Of other amusements the ship is very barren.

Card playing has been very lightly indulged In; chess and draughts not at all. One reason, perhaps, being the short hours of daylight that the men have to themselves. The piano and the band have always a crowd gathered around them, and singing occupies many an evening. Three "smokers" revealed a diversity of talent among men and officers. Private Osgood has a tenor quite out of the common, both as to tone and training; while Private Warne has a bass of great power and compass. Quartermaster-Sergeant Matthews sang us A Hundred Fathoms Deep In a flavor reminiscent of Father O'Flynn.

The very cramped deck space has, of course, been a great curb in physical exercise generally. and no sports of any kind have enlivened the voyage; not even n tug-of-war. Indeed, the only competition we have had has been a bayonet exercise for the best team of twelve, Review Exercise In quick time. This was won by Sergeant Cahill's team; No. 3 Div of 3 Co. The keenness displayed in this showed how ready and willing all hands were to put in extra graft as soon us some, individual effort was demanded.

Mr Holdsworth has been very active with his signallers, and has quite a good squad, who signalled to the Warrigal as she lay here some few hundred yards away. Quoits have attracted a few, and a tournament lasted for so many days that I quite lost the run of It. I should like to say something of our wonderful 'smokers," and the way in which the Colonel sang the war song of the Regiment, amidst huge and enthusiastic applause, And amongst other topical songs by Major Wray, the chaplain, and Captain Sergeant, are reminiscences of much fun.

MAJOR LASCELLES.

Last night Major Lascelles came aboard with orders and for mails. I have an idea he Just arrived here with his regiment, but has been detained here, and is acting on the staff. He acted, if I remember rightly, as A.D.C. to Lord Wenlock. when the latter was Governor in Madras in 1893.

BOUND FOR KIMBERLEY.

We heard that we were to go ashore this morning (Tuesday) at daylight — it is now half past twelve, and we haven't lifted anchor yet — and In a week were to go forward to Kimberley where Colonel Kekewich commands. He was military secretary to Sir Julian Downes (C. in C. of Madras), at the same time that Major Lascelles was A.D.C. to Lord Wenlock.

CONFIDENTIAL REPORTS.

The papers are woefully deficient of news. Confidential reports are issued two or three times a day for general information, the true confidential report really being such. This is owing to the number of Boer sympathisers. We, ourselves are described as a cargo of forage! The Warrigal as general cargo! The City of London Volunteer Regiment is on a big liner not far away from us.

"BOBS" ON BOARD.

Lord Roberts came on board this morning, about 11 a.m., and received a tremendous cheer as he left. he Is looking well, and does not appear In the least worried. He is perhaps somewhat stiffer and greyer than when I last saw him some eight years ago; but has still the same vivacious, energetic manner. We have lost three horses — strangles and pneumonia and gripes being responsible for the casualties. Lieutenant Umphellby, senior, suffered a severe and sharp attack of influenza, following on vaccination, but has Just recovered. I cannot close without offering all hearty praise to captain and officers, especially Mr Flucker, the chief, for the good temper and pleasant manner In which we have been treated

West Gippsland Gazette, Tuesday 13 March 1900,

page 8

ON BOARD THE TROOP SHIP "EURYALUS." AN INTERESTING STORY OF THE VOYAGE

[By Private Ernest Cook.]

By the last mail a graphic description of the voyage of the troop ship Euryalus, which conveyed the second contingent to South Africa, - was received by Mr. R. Cook, Drouin, from the pen of his son, Private Cook, who wrote as follows :-

THE BRIGHT SIDE.

On Friday, 19th January, a French sailing boat, a quarter of a mile distant, greeted us with " Good luck, well done Australia” signals. On Saturday we went through a course of volley firing, and again our division, No. 1 of 3 Company, proved the crack one, and received the special commendation of the colonel. In the evening an exhibition was given of limelight views by Captain McDonald. On Sunday morning we had a church parade the ceremony being enthusiastically appreciated, and will be repeated, each morning. By the way, if a teetotal advocate accompanied us he would be in the seventh, heaven, there being about three-fourths of the contingent total abstainers.

OVERHAULING THE WARRIGAL.

At Albany we learned that the Warrigal conveying the New South Wales troops was only two days ahead of us, and the captain is straining every nerve to catch her. He reckons he will do so in the course of about eight days, consequently the band is assiduously practising " The ship we left behind us," and other appropriate tunes.

For the past three days the sea has been beautifully calm, scarcely a ripple on the surface, and we are averaging 13 knots per hour, or 300 knots per day, whilst the Warrigal can only put 10 knots. At present we have covered half the distance between Albany and the Cape and we expect to arrive in eight days, no one will be sorry to land, as the existence is very lonely, nothing to see but water every morning.

I am now perfectly recovered and in splendid health. We are to reach Durban on Friday at noon, and it is thought the mail will be sent from there. It is expected that we will land on Sunday night at Cape Town, and thus end the first part of this great experience (at least for some of us). Nevertheless, the last few days have been much more pleasant than those at the start of the voyage.

AMUSEMENT FOR THE TROOPS.

There is ample amusement to wile away the time in the evening, but from 10 a.m to 7 p.m. the strictest discipline is exercised. After tea, there are quoits, single sticks, boxing gloves, and roman rings on one deck. On another there is the piano whilst the band renders selections every evening; hence we are kept in a cheerful state of mind. Between the different divisions a quoit tournament, tug of war, and exhibition of bayonet exercise have been arranged.

The chief officer is a splendid fellow and every day he writes and issues a humorous paper, designated " The Ocean Times." It has become 'a really indispensable organ, supplying matter over which " you would split your sides with laughter." It also supplies a lot of useful information viz. the latitude, longitude, the distance travelled from Albany, and the distance from the Cape, besides announcing any thing lost and found. An opposition paper has been started by the officers of the contingent, and has been designated "The Gazette." It is amusing to note how one paper tries to outdo the other. There is an artist on the staff of the latter journal, but I think the oldest news sheet has the most subscribers.

THE SHIPS CREW.

There are 70 Hindoo sailors on board, and they would thieve anything they could lay their hands upon. There are four white cooks who provide for the men, whilst two black cooks attend to the officers. Small dough nuts are made and charged for at the rate of 2d each, at the same time, tins of salmon costing 9d in Drouin are sold at 2s on board.

MESSAGE TO DROUIN FRIENDS.

Tell my Drouin friends I have not sufficient time to write to all, just now, but I will complete my correspondence list in due course. I shall, however, always be pleased to hear from all. Letters should be addressed to Cape Town and marked "2nd Victorian contingent."

STORY OF "A WATCH" NIGHT.

The Captain has disappointed us, by changing his mind, re calling at Durban, but we shall thus reach Cape Town much earlier. We by the bye, have all made a rise, having twelve sheets of writing paper presented to us, as per sample on which I am writing. (Hereon is printed "with J. Tuson's compliments. Ararat, Victoria, 1900. Motto.-Candium Adfero").

On 7th February, I with 14 of our division, was on guard for 24 hours, and it rained "heavens hard" from 10 p.m. till 7 a.m., drenching us to the skin. It was great fun to watch the waves washing right over the ship.

THE TROOP'S TALENT.

We had a concert on Thursday night, and it proved a great success. Numbers were given by Colonel Price. Captains Ruddeck, Jenkins, Sargeant, Lieutenant Holdsworth, Major Homman and the Chaplain. We are to have a farewell concert on Saturday next and I have promised to sing again.

THE COLONEL COMPLIMENTARY.

The Colonel is a really good-fellow and every man in the contingent thinks there is nobody like him. He treats us splendidly and he told us last week he was proud to command a body of men such as he had under him.

HEALTH OF MEN AND HORSES.

The weather is telling pretty badly upon the horses, there being 57 bad at present, some with strangles, influenza, pneumonia, etc. Two have died up to the present. The horses, belonging to Duff Rogers, and myself are well; and we are all enjoying the best of health. Owing to the great quantity of meat we eat. I have been troubled with my favorites, pimples. Meat is served three times per day, and we have to eat it or go without.

A WELL TIMED WARNING.

Owing to several reports of thieving the colonel held a parade, and gave each man 24 hours' grace in which to number his kit, in accordance with his regimental numeration. He warned us that any man found with portions of anothers kit would be court-martialled in Cape Town and would be liable to five years imprisonment and a flogging, and further stated, he would take steps to have such punishment enforced. Since then there has been a decided improvement. One can now leave his belongings on deck, and make sure of finding them there.

" GIPPSLANDERS FOREVER."

There has been a bayonet exercise between teams representing the eight divisions in the contingent and once again our division won. You can bet your life we are in great glee "Gippslanders for ever " is our motto.

NEARING THE END.

Things are getting a bit exciting on board, as we are nearing our destination. There are a lot of bustling little jobs to do, such as getting the rest of our kit issued. We were all paraded to-day, and our felt hats were exchanged for Rangers helmets. This is a great pity as the helmet gives no protection from the sun. We have now packed ready for marching order and expect to land at the Cape about noon on Monday. Our division, 1 of 3, has again been to the fore, having won the bayonet exercise competition, worth £5. I was among the winning twelve.

After the farewell concert, at which all the officers contributed, a large liner, conveying the British Yeomanry to Durban, passed us and about midnight we were hailed by a man-of-war. We have to-day (Sunday) seen many ships in the distance. The Chaplain has presented us each with another small bible. They are from the Melbourne Bible League, and are beautifully inscribed on the fly leaf. A number of cards from the ladies of Melbourne have also been distributed.

THE ARRIVAL.

I am pleased to say we have arrived safely at the Cape reaching here about 4 o'clock p.m. but we will not land until 10 o'clock a.m. to-morrow. The bay was a splendid sight; there being fully 50 ships at anchor. The Warrigal, by the way, beat us by four hours.