Introduction

The Raymond Terrace War Memorial contains the names of twenty-one soldiers from the Raymond terrace district who enlisted in the Boer War of 1899 – 1902 in South Africa.

The names of the Boer War Soldiers honoured are:

Alexander C
 Apps W 
 Apps W
 Avard Fred (died on active service)
Bowker R
Campbell W
Cridland C
Hart W
Hill A
Hindmarsh, Henry Ernest
Keene W
Lamb J
McDonald A
Meredith, John Baldwin Hoystead
Osborne W
Pogonoski Kasmir Thomas
Rundle W. J. (died on active service)
Sommerville J
Stratford G
Windeyer, Edward
Weston C C

Between 1899 and 1902, more than 10,000 Australian soldiers sailed to South Africa to support British forces fighting the Boers. These were Afrikaans-speaking farmers who were descendants of Dutch, German and French settlers who lived in South Africa.Unlike the histories of the First and the Second World Wars, those of the First and Second Boer Wars are generally less known and appreciated.

The Boer Wars grew from Britain’s ambition to unite its colonies of Cape Colony and Natal with the Boer republics of the Orange Free State and the South African Republic, or Transvaal, with the Boers seeking to retain their independence.

In 1880–81 in the First Boer War, the Transvaal Boers successfully fought Britain to preserve this independance.

In 1886, the discovery of gold in the South African Republic (SAR) heightened tensions. The arrival of many English-speaking prospectors, known to Afrikaners as Uitlanders, or ‘Outlanders’, alarmed the Boers who saw them as a threat to their way of life.

To advance British interests, Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain appointed the imperialist Sir Alfred Milner as High Commissioner for South Africa in 1897 increasing tensions with the Boers.

On 9 October 1899, the SAR issued an ultimatum demanding that Britain withdraw its border troops and remove all reinforcements sent to South Africa since 1 June 1899. Britain rejected the demand, and the Boers invaded the British colonies of Cape Colony and Natal on 12 October 1899 beginning the Second Boer War.

The Boers swiftly besieged the South African areas of Kimberley, Mafeking and Ladysmith. In December 1899, they defeated British relief forces at Stormberg, Magersfontein and Colenso. These losses, known as “Black Week,” stunned Britain.

In response, Britain deployed nearly 500,000 imperial troops and ultimately used controversial scorched-earth tactics and concentration camps to suppress Boer guerrilla resistance.

The Treaty of Vereeniging, signed on 31 May 1902, ended the Boer War with a British military victory and promised eventual self-government for the Boer territories.

The Union of South Africa was established in 1910, uniting the British colonies and former Boer republics as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire.

The story of the Raymond Terrace soldiers who fought in South Africa during the Boer War is outlined in this paper.

Tablet at the bottom of the Raymond Terrace War Memorial listing residents who fought in the Boer War in South Africa 1899 – 1902 [Author photo]

One of the Boer soldiers listed on the Raymond Terrace War Memorial, William John Scott Rundle, died of wounds on 30 July 1901 at Kareebosch, South Africa [Virtual War Memorial Australia]

Reasons for sending Troops to the Transvaal, South Africa, as explained to Raymond Terrace Residents – 1899

The Sydney Morning Herald of 6 November 1899, page 5, reported on the following address delivered at Raymond Terrace:

‘Today the Minister for Works (Mr. E. W. O’Sullivan) was banqueted at Millers Forest, Hunter River, and in reply to the toast of “The Ministry” he referred to the despatch of the contingent to the Transvaal. He said it was an easy matter for those who revelled in abstract ideas or academic politics to say that we were wrong in attempting to interfere with the Boers, who were maintaining their freedom and independence. Let them see how that argument applied to the Boers themselves in the years 1834-36 when they set out on their treks and invaded the territory that is now called the Orange Free State, the Transvaal, and Natal.

They did not hesitate to interfere with the freedom and independence of the Zulus, the Matabele and other native races who opposed them. Eventually the Boers possessed themselves of the lands of these native races, on the same grounds as those alleged to have been contained in the resolutions passed at a meeting of early settlers in America, namely “(1.) The earth is the Lord’s; (2) the Lord has given the earth to his saints; (3) we are his saints.”

“But the Boers introduced a higher type of civilisation,” say these abstract critics. So they did, but the British will introduce one still higher than that of the Boers. It would thus be seen that these abstract politicians were choked with their own logic. The question at issue should, however, be decided upon higher grounds than these.

Could the British race afford to risk its prestige and come to a standstill in South Africa because a few score thousand Boers, ruled by oligarchies, chose to insult British subjects, and prevent the expansion of a superior civilisation? If this were allowed Great Britain would rapidly sink into the position of a second-rate power and become a laughing stock of the world.

What would be then of a few obstinate men in a waterman’s ask who attempted to stop the passage of the Medic or some other large ocean steamer? That was pretty well the position of the Boers with regard to the British Empire. If the Boers were conquered no great harm would happen to them, for they would enjoy the same rights and privileges as British subjects, and in a few years would forget all about the oligarchical republics. Was not Egypt better governed now by the British than she was by Arabi Bey; and would not the Soudan be all the better for the introduction of British-Egyptian rule?

There were three other cogent reasons why this year should be fought: — 1. It tended to bring about the unification of the English-speaking people, a highly necessary movement in view of what had recently taken place in Europe—the unification of the German, Italian, Sclavb, and other races. 2. It would show to certain aggressive European Powers, who had for years contemplated a combination against Great Britain, that they would have to reckon with the entire English-speaking people; and 3, in view of what was now proceeding in the Far East and the Pacific isles— with Russia, Germany, France, and Italy struggling for portions of the Flowery Land, and with Germany, France, and the United States seizing upon coigns of vantage in the Pacific Ocean it became our imperative duty to be upon the alert to assert our supremacy in the Pacific and Indian oceans.

Around the shores of these two great waterways half of the human race were settled, and the nation that was supreme on these oceans would dominate half of mankind. Could we afford to let other nations acquire that paramountcy? We certainly could not, and as Australasia could not single-handed prevent this, it behoved us to unite more firmly with other portions of our race and strive for the establishment of a great Anglo-Celtic confederation—a people with the same language laws and literature for the purpose of preserving our identity, maintaining a supremacy over these oceans, and still further extending the bounds or freedom and the blessings of a superior civilisation.’

Dr J.B. Meredith, W. Campbell and C. Cridland volunteer for Military Service – 1900

The Daily Telegraph of 3 February 1900, page 10, reported:

‘Dr. Meredith, of Raymond Terrace, has volunteered for service in South Africa with the Bushmen’s Contingent. Besides being a good medical man, the doctor is an export horseman, and has had military training, having served three years in the Hunter River Light Horse, and afterwards with the Maitland Lancers, in which corps he was sergeant. If accepted, he will probably furnish his own horse. W. Campbell and C. Cridland have also volunteered. Both men are good horsemen. 

Letter received from Corporal W. Apps from the Front – 1900

The Cobar Herald of 8 September 1900, page 2, reported:

‘It will be remembered that Constable Apps, from Cobar, enlisted with the Transvaal Contingent. He has been raised to the position of Lance-Corporal. The other day his parents, who reside near Raymond Terrace, received the following letter from him:-

‘Bethlehem, 10th July 1900. Dear Mother and Father, — No doubt you have been anxiously waiting to hear from me, but I can assure you, that we have been going that hard there is hardly time to do anything. I think the last time I wrote to you was when we were at Bloemfontein [capital of South Africa] the first time. Well, if I was to go on telling you where I have been since then I would fill a small book. Shortly after leaving there, we went to Larre Siding, where we were placed on outpost for about a week, and credited for the way that we held the position. We then returned to Bloemfontein and were refitted with clothes and horses.

Shortly afterwards took a small town called Brandfort. Our regiment was then attached to Major General Hutton. Shortly after that we had a great fight at Vat River, where we stormed a Boer position, driving them away on the point of the bayonet; the bullets were falling thick amongst us. That day the general gave us great praise for our pluck and good work. The chief towns in the Orange Free States were Kroonstadt, Lindley, and Heilbron — places that we captured and fought hard for occasionally.

We then made a march one afternoon of 22 miles on to the Vaal River and crossed into the Transvaal without meeting opposition. Johannesburg was taken after a couple of days’ hard fighting. We then marched on to Pretoria; fought when we got close to town; got round the hills; and with a charge drove the Boers out, and marched through Pretoria next day, which is a very pretty place indeed. I heard that Lord Roberts said that the Australians took Pretoria without the aid of the British army.

We had a great fight at Diamond Hills, about 30 miles from Pretoria. We have since visited and captured Springs, Heidelberg, Villiersdorp, on Vaal River (coming back to the Free State), Frankfort, Reitly, and now Bethlehem. De Wet is eight miles from here and has for some time been playing up in the States, captured and burnt our mails, so probably some letters from you were lost; but I think we will soon catch him, and finish up this war.

A lot of our brave men have been shot down, as you will see by the papers. Two nice young officers of ours fell at Diamond Hills — one dead, and the other died next day: several privates were wounded. It is a terrible sight to see, as I have seen, men shot down alongside of you. I am well and strong, no sickness yet. Many have died from fever. I think we will soon be home. No more paper. — W. J. R. Apps.’

Captain J. B. Meredith welcomed back to Raymond Terrace – 1900

The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of 8 December 1900, page 7, reported:

‘On Wednesday last Raymond Terrace wore a holiday attire, for the people of the district enthusiastically decided to accord a reception to Captain Meredith on his return from the scene of active warfare. About 1000 persons took part in the reception. The town was bountifully bedecked with flags, strung across the streets at various places, and at the captain’s residence the words “Welcome Home” were strikingly displayed.

Brigadier General John Baldwin Hoystead Meredith of Raymond Terrace

The captain arrived at Hexham by the 3.30 train from Newcastle and was formally welcomed by the Mayor and aldermen of Raymond Terrace. Mr. H. J. McCullough’s drag and four-in-hand, in which were seated the Mayor and Mayoress, picked the Dr. and Mrs. Meredith up at the station, and the aldermen and others followed in Mr. H. Smith’s conveyance.

Across the ferry vehicles were awaiting to join in the cavalcade, and all along the road from there to the town vehicles and riders joined in and swelled the procession to lengthy dimensions, upwards of 50 vehicles bowling briskly along. At 7.30 the procession (all afoot this time) formed in line at the captain’s residence.

On reaching the hill the Mayor publicly welcomed the captain, saying he was pleased to see such a large attendance to welcome Captain Meredith home. He was sure their friend must be gratified to see so many friends here to welcome him; and they were all glad to see him return safely and looking so well and hearty. He called upon the council clerk to read the address of welcome.

Mr. Adam read as follows:— Raymond Terrace, December 5, 1900. To Captain J. B. Meredith, Dear Sir,—We, the residents of Raymond Terrace and district, desire, on the completion of your term of active service in South Africa, to convey to you our hearty congratulations on your safe return from the seat of war, and our appreciation of your gallant conduct whilst engaged in the duties appertaining to your position, both as a medical and also military officer.

We are exceedingly gratified by the knowledge of the fact that your services have merited the approbation of your commanding officer and have been followed by promotion at the hands of the Commander-in-Chief. We feel that the dignity thus conferred upon you in a measure reflects honour upon us. During your many years’ residence in our midst we have had ample opportunities of proving your worth as a citizen, and also your skill and kindness of heart as a medical man, and trust that the experience you have gained may be of immense benefit to you in practice of your profession.

We ask you to accept the accompanying gift as a mark of our appreciation of your past services, as a citizen and as a souvenir of your recent experience as a soldier of the Queen; and hope that you, Mrs. Meredith, and family may long be spared to enjoy a life of happiness and prosperity. Signed on behalf of the residents, C. McIntyre, Mayor; A. L. Adam, Council Clerk; J. W. Richardson, Hon Sec. Continued applause followed the conclusion of the reading.

Mr. R. A. Price, M.P., amid applause, said that it was with feelings of sincere pleasure that he had an opportunity of being present to say a few words, and to present to Captain Meredith the token of appreciation and esteem of him as one who had done his duty well.

Dr. Meredith went as a subaltern—a lieutenant-surgeon; he had gained his spurs on the battlefield by valorous conduct and courageous action in rendering help on the field under heavy fire, likely at any moment to be stricken down, and placing his own life in jeopardy. For this manly courage and heroism he had gained promotion and was raised to the rank of captain. This gathering was an evidence of the pride in which they all regarded their fellow townsman’s action. He had much pleasure in presenting to Captain Meredith the handsome salver which he had before him. He congratulated Captain Meredith, and wished Mrs. Meredith, their guest, and family continued prosperity.

Captain Meredith, replying, said that that was the most trying experience he had ever had. It seemed to him that every person in the district was there to meet him and was glad to see him home again. And he was glad to see them. He thanked them all kindly for their good wishes, and for their gift of the address and presentation, and for their hearty welcome; and he also thanked Mr. Price for what he had done for him in assisting to procure his appointment in the A.M.C. and for what he had since done.

He (Captain Meredith) had only done his duty. Before he went, he scarcely knew whether to go or not, since he knew he had duties to perform here also, but his good wife had said “Go” and he went though it pained him considerably to do so. While they applauded those who went they must not forget that there were others left at home who were heroines and deserving of more applause than those who did go—he meant the wives and mothers and sisters. It seemed to him that they made as big a sacrifice. They were the plucky ones. He had his duty to perform, and no matter how they came to him he had always done his best to perform them.

He was not an Australian, but Australia was his adopted country, and it made his heart jump with pride when he saw the Bushmen first go into action. As long as he remained in the district he would try, as he had done in the past in a small way, to promote its welfare. He thanked them sincerely for their goodness to him, and for their kindness to his wife and little ones while he had been away, and for this hearty welcome on his return.

Mr. Richardson proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding. Cheers were again given for the Captain and Mrs. Meredith, and afterwards sweets were distributed to the children, and upwards of 500 parcels were served out containing cakes, confectionery, and fruit. The fireworks display was a brilliant one. The fine address was most artistically written and illuminated by Mr. E. Kevin. The salver was a massive silver one, with the inscription—”Presented to Capt. J. B. Meredith, 1st Regiment, Australian Bushmen, at a public welcome, on his return to Raymond Terrace from the South African campaign, December 5th, 1900.”

In Memory of Trooper Fred Avard – 1901

The Daily Telegraph of 28 May 1901, page 6, reported:

‘A meeting of the relatives and friends or the late Trooper Fred. Avard, one of the Maitland Half-squadron of Lancers, who died from wounds at Carolina, South Africa, was held on Saturday evening. It was decided to erect a carved oak reading-desk in St. Peter’s Church, East Maitland, as a memorial.’

The Sydney Morning Herald of 2 July 1901, page 5, also reported:

‘A carved English oak prayer desk, with crimson velvet attachments, was unveiled and blessed in St. Peter’s Church, East Maitland, on Saturday, by Dean Steele, of Newcastle, as a memorial to the late Trooper Fred. Avard, who died at Carolina, South Africa, from a wound received while on active service with the New South Wales Lancers.’

Trooper Fred Avard on his horse ‘Paddy’ [Virtual War Memorial Australia]

The Evening News of 5 July 1901, page 3, further reported:

‘A memorial tablet was placed on the wall of the Town Hall vestibule on Thursday to the memory of the late Trooper Fred. Avard, one of the Maitland Lancers, who died in the Transvaal last year from wounds received in an engagement. The tablet is of white marble on a background of black marble, surmounted by a broken lance in white marble. The memorial was erected by the comrades of deceased. It bears a suitable in scription.’

Plaque commemorating Fred Avard at the Maitland Town Hall [Virtual War Memorial Australia]

Troops return to Raymond Terrace – 1901

The Sydney Morning Herald of 27 June 1901, page 5, reported on the return of four Boer War ssoldiers to Raymond Terrace War:

‘Sergeants Apps, Lamb, Keene, and Weston were accorded an enthusiastic reception on their return to the district from the Boer war on Monday night. Presentations were also made to them.’

Shooting Competition Medal to honour Trooper Fred Avard – 1909

The Maitland Weekly Mercury of 20 February 1909, page 4, reported:

‘In connection with the competition shoot promoted amongst the military units in the district for the Avard Medal, a competition arranged to perpetuate the memory of Trooper Avard, who was killed in the South African War, it is interesting to riflemen to know that the medals to be presented are now on view at Messrs. Anthony and Beaver’s establishment.

They are of neat and appropriate design, with rimmed edge, the map of South Africa standing in relief on a burnished background, surmounted by a pair of cartridges. Teo lettering on the rim ‘Avard Medal, 1907-1908,’ is done in relief. There are four medals, two for 1907-1908, and the other two for the present season, 1908-1909.’

Death of Sergeant William Apps – 1919

The Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate of 29 April 1919, page 5, reported on the death of Sergeant W. Apps at Raymond Terrace:

‘Regret is expressed at the death from influenza of Sergeant W. Apps. The deceased soldier was a son of Mrs. Apps, of Miller’s Forest. He had been through the last Boer war, being then attached to the Light Horse.’

Concluding Comments

Twelve years after the conclusion of the Boer War the residents of Raymond Terrace and other areas of Port Stephens would again be required to mobilise their communities to fight in the foreign battles of World War One.

Information on the following Port Stephens First World War subjects are published on this website and can be viewed at the following links:

First World War Memorial at Raymond Terrace – Port Stephens

First World War Memorials at Nelson Bay – Port Stephens

First World War Memorial at Karuah – Port Stephens

War Loan Tank Drive Visits Raymond Terrace, Port Stephens – 1918

Letters from the Front sent by a First World War Soldier of Port Stephens – 1915

Researched and compiled by Kevin McGuinness

August 2026