23,000 Australians served in the Boer War of 1899-1902 out of a then population of 3.5 million - a large proportion of young souls.
Yet this is the only substantial memorial for them on the peninsula (or anywhere?) - apart from a sign in Memorial Park, Mornington.
It is at Sorrento cemetery on the southern end of the Mornington Peninsula.
And this is really a memorial symbolising shame and drama - after the Boer War.
The SS Drayton Grange was The Last Boer War Troopship Home.
(The Drayton Grange was originally launched as a frozen meat freighter in 1901!)
42 officers and 1918 troopers rushed on board without medical checks.
It was a vermin-infested, crowded ship with no disinfection available.
Lieutenant Colonel Lyster had no control of the troops.
The weather was continually wet and cold; ventilators were kept closed for warmth.
In short, the ship was a sea of chaos.
The ship was refused landing in Albany Western Australia - could not deal with the range of sicknesses - and so finally landed at Fort Franklin, Portsea.
By the time the ship landed finally in Sydney, 15 troopers had died.
(All belonged to the Commonwealth Horse Units - from various states - and were in the Transvaal and Natal regions of Africa. No one from these units died from war injuries in Africa.
Ref: Australian Contingents to the Boer War.)
The situation sparked a Royal Commission, but senior officers were not compelled to give evidence.
No one was blamed.
Sign near the memorial
Of the names mentioned on this memorial:
Edward Percy Barton was a drover from Charleville, Queensland.
Archibald Humphries and Henry Sherringham were both labourers from Comnock via Molong, New South Wales. Ref: Remember Them: A Guide to Victoria's Wartime Heritage
Yet on the sign above, it states that 4 were troopers in the Victorian battalions, and only McFarlane came from a N.S.W. battalion.
On March 2, 2012, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that a Boer War national memorial has finally been designed.
It will be built in Canberra.
The $4million cost has still to be met.
NOTE: Fort Franklin is now Portsea Camp or Lord Mayor's Children's Camp.
Original barrack buildings have been retained.
It is spread over 3 hectares.
Discarded spirits
Disorientated souls
Wait for some respect
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Ref: Australian Contingents to the Boer War.)
The situation sparked a Royal Commission, but senior officers were not compelled to give evidence.
No one was blamed.
Sign near the memorial
Of the names mentioned on this memorial:
Edward Percy Barton was a drover from Charleville, Queensland.
Archibald Humphries and Henry Sherringham were both labourers from Comnock via Molong, New South Wales. Ref: Remember Them: A Guide to Victoria's Wartime Heritage
Yet on the sign above, it states that 4 were troopers in the Victorian battalions, and only McFarlane came from a N.S.W. battalion.
On March 2, 2012, The Sydney Morning Herald reported that a Boer War national memorial has finally been designed.
It will be built in Canberra.
The $4million cost has still to be met.
NOTE: Fort Franklin is now Portsea Camp or Lord Mayor's Children's Camp.
Original barrack buildings have been retained.
It is spread over 3 hectares.
Discarded spirits
Disorientated souls
Wait for some respect
Taphophile Tragics is hosted by Julie
Click on the badge to view MORE!
