Extracts and Comments
(from Sources as shown) | |
McLachlan: ?WICKERSON W killed or died.
Murray: 'B'Sqn., died at Elandsfontein 12.6.1902.
Source:# 156 Trooper BH WICKERSON, ACH died 12.6.1902, re-interred Braamfontein 1963.
HAGSOC: Memorial Braamfontein.
B5207: bootmaker aged 20 from Armidale NSW, 10 months 1NSWMR.
URL3: ?letter.
Smith2: King's South Africa Medal (SA02 only).
B4418: bootmaker aged 20 from Armidale NSW, born in NZ next of kin father in Armidale, 10 months 1st NSW Contingent.
Roe: War Memorial Armidale NSW.
URL5: Trooper Philip Henry WICKERSON, of the First Australian Commonwealth Regiment, whose death is reported, was the eldest son of Mr. SH WICKERSON, proprietor of the Armidale "Argus." He was 21 years of age last month, and, although about sixty Armidale volunteers went to South Africa, he was the only one who has died there. He went from Sydney with the First Contingent, under Captain Legge, in November 1890, on the troopship Aberdeen, and was the only one of the reconnoitring party of five, near Colesberg, to return to camp, his comrades, FRASER and MCLENNAN, being killed, and FRASER and GOODSAL being taken prisoners. Subsequently, WICKERSON took ill from enteric fever at Jagersfontein, and pneumonia intervened. He was invalided to England, and was one of Lord Hopetoun's bodyguard at the farewell banquet at the Hotel Cecil, London, in October 1900. He was presented to Queen Victoria, at Windsor Castle, at that time with other colonial volunteers. He visited Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and other places with the colonials and returned to Sydney in March 1901, when he went to Camden Convalescent Home for two months, being discharged last August. He joined the first Australian Commonwealth Regiment, and left in the troop ship Custodian in February 1902 for Durban. His squadron ("B") went by rail to Klerksdorp, their train being close behind the New Zealanders' train when the latter met with the terrible collision, many being killed and injured. The news of Trooper WICKERSON's death has caused widespread regret, as he was highly respected among all classes.
URL6: This week [c5.1905] Mr. S WICKERSON received from the military authorities the "King's medal and clasp" so well won by his son Philip, who died in South Africa after fighting for the cause of Empire. The young Australian trooper died in 1902, and the medal, with its South African tri-colour riband, reaches his bereaved parents in 1905. There is not much consolation in that, but it is a fact that the King's medal awarded to the late Trooper WICKERSON is the only one sent to Armidale. As a token of valour the pretty medal is doubtless dearly cherished by the parents and friends of the young Armidalian.
URL7: [at the welcome home in Armidale on 19.6.1902] Mr. H WEAVER, in a pathetic speech, proposed "Fallen Comrades," making particular reference to the death of Private Phil WICKERSON, and Trooper ALLINGHAM, and also other Hillgrove soldiers who had gone under.
URL8: Death op Trooper WICKERSON. Widespread regret was felt in Armidale on Wednesday morning [18.6.1902], when a notification came from the War Office, to the effect that Trooper PH WICKERSON had succumbed to enteric
fever in South Africa. Trooper WICKERSON was the eldest son of Mr. SH WICKERSON of this city, and was born at Greytown North, Wairarapa (NZ), 21 years ago. On the call to arms when trouble arose in South Africa, he was amongst the first to volunteer for active service, and left NSW under Capt. LEGGE, in the troopship "Aberdeen" early in Nov. 1899. He arrived at Enslin on the eve of the
Magersfontein disaster, and saw the wounded and bleeding Britishers brought in from that, terrible slaughter. He was in the first batch of scouts formed from the colonial regiment, and which gained great kudos from General FRENCH for excellent service rendered under extraordinary difficulties. While out on one occasion, Trooper WICKERSON had his water bottle smashed with a bullet - a very
close shave, Indeed. At another time he was one of a reconnoitring party of
five sent out near Colesburg, and of the quintette, was the only one to return to camp, two of his comrades (Troopers FRAZER and MCLENNAN) being killed, and two others (Troopers GOODHALL and FRAZER) taken as prisoners. Young WICKERSON was covered by a Boer rifle at fifty yards, and called on to surrender, but elected to run the gauntlet, and prostrating himself on his horse's back, dug the spurs into the gallant steed, and got clear away from the bullets. He was present at the taking of Colesburg, the inhabitants of which pretty little township came out and jubilantly greeted the red-coats. Shortly afterwards the
dreaded enteric settled upon Trooper WICKERSON, and during his transmission to Capetown with other convalescents, he had the misfortune to contract pneumonia. He was invalided to England, and during his sojourn in the mother-land, was selected as one of Lord HOPETOUN's bodyguards at the great farewell to Australia's first Governor-General at the Hotel Cecil, in October, 1900, and with other colonial troops, he was presented to the Queen at Windsor, and also visited Oxford and Cambridge Universities, and was for several weeks the recipient of Lady CARRINGTON's hospitality at High Wycombe Convalescent Home. After a visit to Edinburgh, he returned to Sydney in March, 1901, and obtained
his discharge, after a two months' sojourn in the Carrington Convalescent Hospital. Eager for another cut at the enemy, Trooper WICKERSON joined the First Australian Commonwealth Regiment, and left in the "Custodian" in February of the present year [1902]. Whilst proceeding to Klerksdorp, his squadron was in the train which followed closely upon the New Zealand contingent when the
latter met with a terrible catastrophe, several being killed and injured. The last letter received from him, stated that he was hearty and well, and getting quite fat though they had just had two or three days in open trucks on the railway, and had arrived at their destination wet and miserable. Mr. SH WICKERSON has received numerous messages of condolence during the past few days, and much sympathy is felt for the family in their bereavement.
URL10: Upon the inner shield of the right-hand pier as you enter the structure appears the inscription - "This rotunda was erected in honour of the Armidale men who served in the South African war. Unveiled by Mrs. FJ WHITE, March 17th, 1902." On the outer shield of the same pier are the following names - Draft Contingent, Troopers GV CLEARY, AJ ALLINGHAM, A GALLEGOS, RT NEWMAN, C WILLIAMS, CF BAMFORD and AB WATSON. Commonwealth Contingent, Troopers AJ MURRAY, PH WICKERSON, S SMITH, GH CHAMPION and FWA EAGAR. On the left-hand pier are the names - Draft Contingent, Sergeant PJ GLOVER, Sergeant AS HARDEN, Corporal E HOGAN, Corporal G ALLINGHAM, and Troopers MJ SCHOLES, E EDGAR, R SCOTT, AP MURTAGH, PG COTTERELL, G SUTHERLAND, A THOMPSON, AH GELDARD, JJ DALEY, JM MCDONALD, and Sergeant-Major A PARKES. First Contingent, Privates AJ MURRAY and PH WICKERSON. Second Contingent, Captain GS SAMUELSON AMC, Sergeant RT MUNRO, Corporal A COUCOM, Corporal THORNDIKE and Troopers HJ DALE, W DALE, AM MCDONALD, EE ASHTON, JW GRAY, E GILMOUR, WH GLOVER, RH LENNON and AW EDMONDS.
|