Extracts and Comments
(from Sources as shown) | |
Murray: died of enteric at Pretoria 12.2.1902.
HAGSOC: Memorial Pretoria.
B5204: labourer born 1881 in Blayney NSW next of kin in Forest Lodge.
URL3: War Memorial Blayney NSW.
Source:# 1092 Blayney NSW, died.
URL4: family death notice, aged ?19.
URL5: died at Pretoria of enteric.
URL7: Mr. WJ BARRATT JP (Blayney) proposed 'Our Guests.' He was very pleased to be present and join in welcoming the returned soldiers back to their homes [2.7.1902]. He referred to the splendid work performed by the Australian troops in South Africa, and spoke of their devotion to duty, making special reference to the late Trooper Hector
BLACK, of Blayney, who remained with his regiment although he was suffering from enteric until he was forced by sheer exhaustion to go to the hospital, where he died within three days after being admitted.
URL8: Death of Trooper Hector BLACK. In our issue of 22nd February last [1902] we published a notice that one of the Blayney soldiers, Trooper Hector BLACK, had died of enteric fever at Pretoria. Although enquiries have since been made at the War Office
the news has not been officially confirmed, and Hector's relatives and many friends were just beginning to think that the sad news of his death was not true. However, all hopes were shattered last week, when a letter was received by his parents from the nurse at the Pretoria hospital, which confirmed the news of his death. A memorial service was held in the Blayney Presbyterian Church on Sunday evening last [23.3.1902]. There was a large assemblage, and
the church was appropriately draped in mourning. The Rev. SG CRAWFORD conducted a very impressive service, at the conclusion of which the congregation remained standing while the organist (Miss I MUTTON) played the 'Dead March.' Trooper BLACK died on 12th February [1902]. He had only been in the hospital three days, and was only 19 years of age. The following is a copy of the nice and
sympathetic letter received from the Nursing Sister - "Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa, 13th Feb., 1902. Dear Mrs. BLACK, — You will have already heard, long before you receive this letter, of the death of your son, Hector BLACK, of
the NSW Bushmen, but I thought you would like to have a few lines from me, as I looked after him for his last two days here. He came in to this Hospital on the 9th and died on the morning of the 12th. Poor boy. I fear he must have been very ill before he came to us, and lie must have kept up much too long instead
of giving in, as the Drs. say he was in the third week of his illness. He was a little delirious on the first night here, but next morning (10th) his
brain seemed quite clear, and when I asked him for his mother's address he gave it me quite clearly. All next day (11th) he grew rapidly worse, so that when I left him to the night Sister, at night, I felt I should not find him in the morning. He died a few minutes before I came on duty, so the night sister was with him still when I came down. I cannot tell you how much we wish we could have saved him for you, but I do not think there was a chance; he came in too
late for any human aid to help him. He has a friend in the Hospital now, who knows you all well, and who came to see him several times, and who said he would write to you. I gave him some letters and a pipe, which were in his locker, and he says he will send them to you. All his kit was given in to the store when he arrived, and that will now be sent back to his regiment, according to the rules of the Military Hospitals. It is most terribly sad for you to lose him when so far away, but you must think that he has given up his life for his King and Country, just as surely as if he had been killed in action, and remember that it is the noblest kind of death to die, and perhaps that, may comfort you a little. Your boy is buried in Pretoria churchyard among
many of his comrades. It is beautifully kept, one of the best cemeteries in South Africa. He saw the clergyman twice before he died. With my deepest sympathy, believe me, yours sincerely, Edith Monck MASON, Nursing Sister.
Trooper Walter MACKAY, a Forbes soldier, and a member of the same regiment as
Hector BLACK, writes as follows - Pretoria, 12.2.1902. Dear Mrs. BLACK, — You
will doubtless have heard ere this of Hector's death. I scarcely know how to express my great sympathy with you in your sad bereavement, which I need scarcely say I feel very much myself, as through his death I have lost my best friend and truest mate. It may be some slight satisfaction to you to know that he passed away very peacefully, and that I saw him the evening before he died. He seemed quite happy, and told me to be sure to write to you and tell you that
he was sick. The Sister that attended on him asked me to tell you that he went sick too late, as when he came into hospital his temperature was 105. I was in the convalescent camp adjoining the hospital myself, after having recovered from an attack of fever and my tent was quite close to the one he was in. Nearly, every one in the Regiment has been in hospital at some time or other, and Hector didn't like to give way when he was sick, so he stuck out till it was
too late. He had been with the Column for about ten -months, treking almost night and day after the Boers, and a very rough time we have had of it, even the strongest constitutions breaking up, but he was one of the last to give in. I am forwarding you some of his private letters, which you might wish to have. I am also bringing a pipe of his back with me if I have the luck to return, as you might like to have it. I will take the earliest opportunity of coming to
see you.— I remain, yours very sincerely, Walter MACKAY, 3rd NSW Bushmen.
URL9: A cablegram was published in the Sydney papers on Tuesday last [17.2.1902], announcing the death of Private Hector BLACK at Pretoria. This is believed to be one of the Blayney boys who went to the war with the Third
Bushmen's Contingent. Hector BLACK was a native of Blayney, where he was very
popular, and the sad news of his death from enteric fever was received with great regret. Only last week we recorded the death of two other young men from this district, namely, Private DR CREIGHTON, of Shaw, and Private E SAMS, of Millthorpe. 'Don't we like to hear of victory — Don't it fill your heart with pride, When the news comes home from the field of war That we have conquered the foe once more! But smiles will turn to tears When we think of those that yearn For the boys who died on the battle-field - The boys who will never return.'
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