Extracts and Comments
(from Sources as shown) | |
McLachlan: ?MANTLE 6QIB.
Murray: Egyptian Campaign 82-84, Corporal 13.1.1900, Sergeant 9.4.1901.
B5172: c/- Brisbane Qld.
Smith2: Doyle's Scouts/5QIB, King's South Africa Medal and 2 clasps.
B4418: MANTEL Harrey.
URL1: Sergeant aged 40 with 1 year 57 days war service, returned per 'Tongariro' arrived Brisbane 3.5.1901 discharged 17.5.1901.
URL3: photo #56.
URL4: CCoy. QMI seconded to Transvaal Mounted & Foot Police 19.6.1900.
URL5: ?RSM 697 Harry MANTEL discharged for employment 26.3.1902 when 5QMI returned.
URL6: Writing from Reilly's farm, Bloemspruit, about three miles east of Bloemfontein, on March 19 [1900], to a friend in Brisbane, Corporal MANTELL, of the Second Queensland Contingent, and formerly of the 1st Life Guards, says - "We entered this place on the 14th, after a terribly rough passage. We were on half and quarter rations for six days (three biscuits and 1lb tin of meat amongst four men a day), and a convoy over four miles in length — the largest of the present campaign. We had one sharp bit of work at Paardeberg, in which the Yorks, the Staffords, and the Essex came off rather badly. I saw two killed within 50 yards of me, and about 20 more or less damaged. The shell fire was very good, and we had two hours' dodging to get out of the way. We got off clear, but more by good luck than anything else. Anyone would have to see this part of the world thoroughly to comprehend what the British forces have to contend with. If the country had been picked, it could not have been better for military work, all being in favor of the defenders. There is an almost total absence of timber of any description from Capetown to this place, and the country is nothing but rising ground for entrenchments. It is no wonder such a large number of British soldiers are required. The Highland Brigade and Guards lay for 12 hours flat, and dared not move, while about 15,000 men, located in over three miles of trenches, plugged away. Numbers of men we meet every day on the march whose sinews are so swollen
behind the knees that they are unable to walk, and their feet are awfully sore from the sun. Our horses were starved coming over, and consequently are completely done for. We had no chance to get them on their legs, and now we cannot mount 20 men. When we do go on we have to lead them. Over two-thirds
are unfit to ride through their backs being simply rotten. The saddles are worse by far than those belonging to any other contingent here, and I have seen most of them. The turnout all round is a disgrace, making only, a burlesque of soldiering. The things sent to the contingent have never reached their destination, and you will see some lively times should we all return. The five hogsheads of rum have been disposed of, but not for our benefit. The extract (£500 worth) given by the Queensland Meat Export Company has not been seen, and it does not take up much room. The wine for the sick was notified as having been presented, and that is all that is known of it."
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