Extracts and Comments
(from Sources as shown) | |
Source:# 289 left Ballarat, Vic. a few years before the war.
URL2: 141 'E'Sqn. Lance Cpl. enlisted 19.10.1899 transferred to depot for discharge 6.1.1902.
URL3: An NAA Research Guide says - "there was a small but solid Australian Jewish presence in the Boer War (1899–1902). Prominent among the soldiers were Major Walter 'Karri' DAVIS (who endured two years as a prisoner of war), Myer BLASHKI, Louis E PHILLIPS, Alfred SAUNDERS (son of Rev. Moses SAUNDERS of Melbourne) and two sons of Ballarat's Rev. Israel M GOLDREICH. A Jewish woman, Rose SHAPPERE, was notable among nurses who volunteered to tend the sick and wounded on the South African front."
URL4: Rabbi GOLDREICH of Ballarat said "As you already know, I am a foreigner by birth, but all the same, the grandfather of native-born children, two of whom are patriotically fighting for the glorious British throne from almost the very beginning of that unhappy war in South Africa, for which purpose they voluntarily gave up good positions. I will not harass you with a narration of the many hardships and hairbreadth escapes they have experienced, and are still experiencing—especially the younger one, a lad of only twenty two years now, who, in the famous column of Bethune's Mounted Infantry, has taken active part in the severest and most bitterly contested battles, and was one of the five to miraculously escape from an unfortunate ambush by the Boers, when the rest of his squad, to the number of 119 men and officers, were completely annihilated; But this much I want you to know as a lesson to yourselves, as well as to your parents and guardians, that whilst my heart goes out in prayer and anxiety for the safety of my brave boys, it is my greatest pride and pleasure to conclude with the following mention - Having taken advantage of the privilege extended to all after twelve month's active service - a month's furlough on full pay and free pass by railway or steamer - and gone to Capetown, where good friends and relations urged that a discharge, to which they were fully entitled, should be claimed, with the prospect to enter on business, in which most liberal support was promised, my patriotic boys firmly replied, No! Never would they leave until British supremacy was firmly established in South Africa! God bless and protect such patriotic lads, and God bless you all!
URL5: Mr Samuel GOLDREICH, accompanied by his sister, Miss Monte GOLDREICH, son and daughter of the Rev. IM GOLDREICH of Synagogue Chambers, Barkly Street, arrived home from South Africa by the express train on Friday evening [?28.2.1902], and were met at the Ballarat East Station by a large number of friends. Mr GOLDREICH, as
previously stated, in “The Star,” has had considerable, experience at the front. In an interview with our representative, Mr. GOLDREICH, speaking about the present prospects in South Africa, said - "When I left Johannesburg last month the place was going rapidly ahead, but there was naturally a marked difference in the way of business from what the state of affairs previous to the outbreak of the war. In my opinion it will be fully 12 months before the country is in a settled state, as the Boers will be greatly assisted by supposed loyal Boers in Cape Colony. Previous to leaving there was very little
heavy fighting for some months, and my regiment (Bethune’s Mounted Infantry)
would consider themselves very lucky if they could get the enemy to make any
thing of a stand for more than an hour. This seems to be the general practice
throughout the field. “The blockhouse system, of which you have read so much, has given, in a military sence, great satisfaction. In my opinion the whole of the railway lines through out the country are well guarded through this system, and it would now be a difficult thing for the Boers to break through these lines. Train-wrecking will also be considerably minimised. In addition to this precaution, which extends over the whole infected area, there are armoured trains continually patrolling the districts. "Last June my column was placed under General FRENCH, and during the last two or three months a few hundred of the Tasmanian Bushmen were attached to us. Our column was always pleased to have
the assistance of the Australians, for they were considered excellent fighting men. In Orange River Colony at various times good work was done by the Australians in ridding the different districts of small scattered commandoes, so at present there are very few Boers to be seen there. They have nearly all moved south to the Cape Colony, where the country is much rougher, very mountainous, and they are greatly assisted by their Cape brethren, of whom 90 per cent, are rebels. "The difficulty to be contended with as far as the Boers are concerned, at the present time, seems to be with those who have sworn allegiance to Britain, and have been permitted to reside as British colonists. They have given Lord KITCHENER considerable trouble, and were it not for such treacherous people, in my opinion the war would have been ended long before
now. In the Transvaal the Boers now fighting are remnants of the whole original commandoes, and are led by men such as BOTHA and DE LA REY, in whom they place the utmost confidence. It is worthy of note that these commandant can keep
their armies together in large bodies and wait until they steal an opportunity of attacking a small British force. Were these swept away from this part of the
country there would be great hopes of the Transvaal being cleared, and the British forces could be then concentrated in Cape Colony, but the difficulty to contend with is to get the small Boer parties out of the mountains". Mr. GOLDREICH having come home after an absence of nearly seven years, especially to see his father and old home, he is not prepared at present to say what his
next movement will be, though, of course, his intention is to return shortly to South Africa.
URL6: Corporal SJ GOLDREICH, (son of the Rev. IM GOLDREICH, at present on a visit at Rolleri's with his daughter, also recently returned from Cape Town where she was teaching in one of the largest Colleges, to partake of the Hepburn mineral water), who recently returned to Ballarat after rather more than two years' service with Bethune's Mounted Infantry in South Africa, was
formally welcomed home on Wednesday night [26.3.1902] by a representative gathering of citizens at Craig's hotel. Mr. S MARKS, president Ballarat
Hebrew Association presided, and among the company were - Hon. R MCGREGOR MLA, Mr. JW KIRTON MLA, Crs. MCKEE and ELWORTH, Mr. L COHEN president of the Ballarat
branch of the Anglo-Jewish Association, Mr. HS SIMMONS, president Jewish Philanthropic Society; Dr. SALMON, Dr. EW SHARMANN of Auckland, NZ, Mr. Joseph PHILLIPS, president Ballarat East School of Arts; Mr. A LEVY, vice-president Ballarat Orphan Asylum, Mr. L PHILLIPS, ex-president Ballarat Hospital; Mr. TP LONG, vice-president Newington ANA and Lieuentant T GILPIN, Sergt-major WW PHILLIPS and Trooper BLEZARD, who have served in South Africa. Apologies from the Hon. VT YALE, MLA and Cr. BROCKENSHIRE (mayor of the city), who were prevented by public business from attending.
URL8: A large and enthusiastic meeting of the friends of Corporal SJ GOLDREICH, who recently returned from South Africa, was held last night [6.3.1902]. Mr Solomon MARKS occupied the chair. It was decided to tender Corporal GOLDREICH a welcome smoke night at Craig's hotel next Wednesday evening, and the tickets were fixed at 3s 6d each.
A sub-committee was appointed to make arrangements for the function, which promises to be a most enjoyable one.
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