Hugh Baakens' Diary

Chronicling the Aussie contribution to SA War

HARRY MARSTON, the honorary British Consul in these parts, is a man who does his duty in a manner which makes him welcome wherever he goes. And he’s a good friend of this column, which is why Hugh is the proud possessor of a fascinating book sent via Harry by its author, an Australian called Les Perrett who, it seems, knows far more about the South African War than most South Africans.

Les is the grand-nephew of an Australian soldier, Trooper Frederick Avard, of the Royal New South Wales Lancers , who fought and died in that conflict.

Australians in the South African War?

There was a considerable contingent, as this book makes plain. Hence the saga of the shooting of Trooper “Breaker” Morant, celebrated in song following his peremptory execution for shooting two Boer prisoners in violation of the rules of war.

The book advances cogent reasons as to why Morant should not have been executed. And it shows that Australians have good reason to resent the fact that his field court martial was conducted without reference to the Australian command.

Perrett has done a fascinating job in compiling this book.

His quest in search of the story of his great-uncle has turned up fascinating material which will be of considerable interest to South Africans who are not aware of the extent of Australian involvement.

But there’s much more than that.

The book is packed with illustrations which make the people, the militaria and the topography of those times live again in colour and sepia tones. The photographs, badges, medals, letters and reminiscences make turning the pages rewarding indeed.

The book sent to Hugh is a second, revised, edition of an earlier volume which dealt largely with Perrett’s great-uncle. This development has been done at the suggestion of the Military History Authorities in Canberra, using much material that Perrett has unearthed.

Every page evokes the searing heat, the arid conditions of the veld, the hardships of conducting a campaign in such conditions, the dust, the stifling uniforms, and the tragedy of all those wasted lives.

For South Africans who had no idea of the size and importance of the Aussie contingent in the war, it’s a new aspect of the conflict to be considered. And Perrett has done an excellent job in making it so evocative of a time of tragedy.

It’s a noble tribute to all who suffered in that terrible war.

And what could be more poignant than his account of the Aussies’ resentment at having to leave their horses behind when they returned to their homeland when the conflict was over. This was due to strict quarantine in Australia which feared the introduction of horse sickness or “blue tongue” if the animals were repatriated.

“There was many a tear in a trooper’s eye when he found it necessary to shoot his horse rather than abandon it. Fortunately, many horses were sent to India where they were properly cared for by the military there,” writes the author.

But an Aussie called “Banjo’’ Paterson wrote a moving tribute to the horses who had to be left behind:

Over the sea you brought us,

Over the leagues of foam:

Now we have served you fairly,

Will you not take us home?

Home to the Hunter River,

To the flats where the lucerne grows,

Home where the Murrumbidgee

Runs white with the melted snows.

This is a small thing, surely!

Will you not give command

That the fast of the old campaigners

Go back to their native land?”

Poignant stuff, indeed.

Let’s hope Perrett’s fascinating book is soon on sale in South Africa, too.

Hugh will keep you posted.

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