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Hint: This site is intended as a search aid - not a definitive source. It is essentially an index to documents that seem to relate to this person plus a very brief precis of relevant elements. Sources often conflict and I also flag things with a ? when I am unsure. So if the information below is important to you, then please check the original sources to see what else they contain (and in case I have inadvertantly introduced transcription and/or precising errors). There can be additional information that was not included in the database for both space and copyright reasons.

 

Surname		ABRAHAM
Given Name(s) or Initial(s)		William John
Regimental Number		15
Rank		Private
Unit Name		A Sqn. New South Wales Mounted Rifles
State		NSW
Extracts and Comments (from Sources as shown)		Murray: ABRAHAMS, killed at Abraham's Kraal 10.3.1900. Source:# 45 Bega NSW. Source:# 166 Bega. B5204: born 1879 Merimbula NSW labourer, next of kin father Bega NSW, Queen's South Africa Medal and 3 clasps (Paard. Drief. & RoK). Source:# 445 killed at Driefontein. URL2: shot by Boers flying white flags. URL3: from Bega NSW born in Merimbula worked at Tathra. URL4: killed from Bega NSW, mention in letter from Sgt. DONOVAN. URL5: first Australian to fall. URL6: photo. Source:# 1121 Pte. ABRAHAMS NSWMI killed at Driefontein. Bega Std.: The Men's Departure - on Tuesday morning [c10.1899] long before the appointed time for the 'fall in' to be sounded, 7 o'clock, hundreds of people had assembled near the orderly room to bid a final adieu to our volunteers. On the face of Sergt. Major DALY pleasure was depicted as man after man turned up, and at the time to fall in his tally was complete. The Bega Band was in evidence, as was also the inevitable photographer, and there are few households in Bega indeed that will not get a photo of the first men to leave us to take part in arms in Imperial affairs. Nothing like this send off was ever witnessed in Bega before. The OC, Major Bland, was early on the scene, and gave attention to details, while a full muster of the squadron lent willing hands to get the men in readiness. Shortly after seven o'clock the men fell into rank, and headed by the Mounted Police and the Band paraded the principal streets. By this time almost every man, woman and child in the place was on the scene. At church street a very affecting and pleasing scene took place. The ladies of the town lined up on each side and as the men passed through, they showered them with rose leaves, the band meanwhile playing "The girl I left behind Me". People on foot, on horseback, and in buggies followed to the North Bega Bridge and there the final farewells took place. Many buggies went miles out of town with the cavalcade, and about 5 miles out Major Bland bid final adieu to his men. The Bega contingent consists of 11 men. A good number of others volunteered, but the regulation as to not taking married men caused them to withdraw. Farrier WILSON and L/Cpl. T SCHAFER, married men, persisted in their endeavours to go, but on Tuesday a wire came from headquarters stating that they would not be accepted, so they were reluctantly compelled to remain at home. The men who have gone from Bega are: Staff Sergeant Major DALY, Sergt. T MANNING, Farrier SEAGAR, Private HJ MAPLES, Private P YOUNG, Private W ABRAMS, Private L WATERSON, Private W KIRKLAND, Private J. SIMMONS, Private E BULL & Private J. McDONALD and may the men smell gunpowder when away, and return victorious to Bega, is the earnest desire of all. We should mention that £4 left over from the smoke concert was handed by Mr. Cowdroy to Staff Sergt. DALY on Tuesday morning in order that the men might have refreshers on their way to Cooma and Sydney. Wire from Sergt Major DALY, on Wednesday we received the following wire from Cooma from Sergt. Major DALY - "Detachment arrived here OK. All desire you to convey through the press their hearfelt thanks to the people of Bega for the magnificent send off." News from South Africa - Private WJ ABRAHAMS, writing from De Aar on 21.1.1900 reports all the Bega boys well. Letters were also received on Sunday from Ptes. BULL, SIMMONS and MAPLES. Bega's First Tribute to Empire. Sorrow was felt throughout Bega on Sunday night [18.3.1900] when it became known that Private W ABRAHAMS of Bega Mounted Rifles had been killed at the battle of Dreifontein. Official notice was received by Major Bland yesterday morning from Colonel Onslow Thompson, who sent his condolences to the bereaved parents. The news is particularly sad as only on Saturday last the soldier's father purchased shirts and socks and was presented by Mr. P Rosenthall with a pipe to send to him in South Africa. Yesterday morning Mr. Abrahams brought his treasured parcel into Major Bland to have forwarded to South Africa, who as gently as he could, had to break the sad tidings. Private ABRAHAMS was a lad of great promise and never missed an opportunity of writing, or of sending to his parents momentos since he went to the seat of war. May he rest in peace, and may the sorrowing parents be comforted is the earnest desire of the whole district in whose honor he was fighting the battles of his Queen in South Africa. Thanks 23.3.1900. On behalf of myself and wife I beg to tender my most heartfelt thanks to the many kind friends who sent letters, cards and telegrams of condolence also the acts of kindness from the other kind friends on the occasion of our dear son's untimely death in South Africa. John ABRAHAMS, Tarraganda. CandeloEU: Bega - a private communication received locally from Mr. WJ ABRAHAMS who formed one of Bega's second contingent states that all the Bega braves are well and distinguishing themselves in their new sphere of action. May their bravery and warlike demeanour carry them through safely to the end of the struggle. Bega Star: Mr. J Abrahams is in receipt [c11.1900] of letters from the Premier and Mr. H Clarke relative to the granting of a pension and also in connection with the effects of his son, the late Private W ABRAHAMS, killed at Abraham's Kraal. Mr. J ABRAHAMS has received [c2.1901] the effects of the late Private W ABRAHAMS from South Africa also the Queen's five pounds, given to every man that has served in the war. Major ANTILL recently [c2.1901] sent Mrs. J Abrahams a printed tabulated record of the doings of members of the NSW Mounted Rifles, which gives the number of engagements in which the men took part. According to it, Jack McDONALD took part in 34 engagements, BULL 27, YOUNG 25, HAWES 14, WJ KIRKLAND (died of enteric fever) 11, Pat BYRNE 11, WATERSON 9, ABRAHAMS (killed 10.3.1900) 9, and SYMONDS 1. Pat BYRNE'S record is given only up to the time of his joining the Royal Engineers, whilst enteric fever handicapped some of the others. Relatives of the deceased soldiers, the late Ptes. W ABRAHAMS, WJ KIRKLAND, I GOODSELL and A FULTON, are to receive [c6.1901] the war medals that would have otherwise gone to these ill fated soldiers. Tomorrow [10.3.1901] will be the anniversary of poor Will ABRAHAM's death, which occurred at Abram's Kraal South Africa whilst fighting loyally for the honor of the Empire to which he owed allegience. It was alleged that poor ABRAHAMS was struck by a bullet fired after the enemy had hoisted the white flag. Pambula V.: Private W. ABRAHAMS Bega was killed in the recent battle at Driefontein. (The deceased was a native of Pambula district). In Memoriam - William ABRAHAMS born in Merimbula NSW. Died in his country's cause in South Africa. Hark! 'Tis the call to war - the Empire's call (The fiery onset finds no laggards here) He leapt to arms - to fight - alas! to fall, In victory's hour - a Bega volunteer. Will ABRAHAM! Though on those Afric plains, Thy young, undaunted heart lays still and cold, Shrined in your country's heart your name remains, A name to honour, as the brave of old. But not for thee the welcome on the shore, The shouts of joy, when battle's toil is done; They whisper low "He will return no more His task is finished, and his race is run". Yet shall dear faces from thy native land Meet thee at least in yon bright Happy Home. When war no more, with devastating hand Shall cross the paths where kindred spirits roam. "L" Bournda. In Memoriam - Lines in memory of a brave Australian trooper, who fell while serving faithfully his country and his Queen. There are times when intuitively through memory's glass we see The faces of the absent ones as we beheld them last; Again the music of their voices returns; their laugh of glee Resounds throughout the corridors of the long forgotten past. These retrospective glances bring a train of visions bright That awakes us from a study of a world of cank'ring care, And we seem again to mingle in the scenes with that delight That we so oft indulged in with the friends that are – ah! Where? Where are the friends that lately were with us? – who pressed the hand With mutual feelings of fellowship, of friendship, and goodwill;Where are the laughing voices that would with a power command A spirit of mirth and joyfulness? Ah! Those lov’d voices are still. Out on the veldt of Afric’s plains; on hills; near fords and streams, The faces of the silent dead are turned towards the sky; On the forms of sons and brothers and of fathers fall the beams Of a silent moon on sentry, showing where the brave dead lie. There is a face of youthful mien and aspirations bright, That had not by the blinding mists of this earth yet made dim; But the prospects of that brave young life are sealed in the night Of oblivion. Death hath opened out a glorious day for him. At Abram’s Krall Will ABRAM fell, just at the close of day, While the Boers kept up a well sustained and withering deadly fire; And as a "soldier of the Queen" he fell in that fatal fray, For his Country's honour, for his Queen, and for the old Empire. Far oér the rolling ocean there the lov'd ones silent lay – Friends are their death lamenting in their native Austral land; Oh! Send some words of sympathy to the bereaved today, Some kind words of condolence their afflicted hearts demand. Just tell them of a guarding Hand that guides the wand’ring feet, That watches with a loving eye lest they should blindly stray; If in the dark defiles of sin He's straying lamb should meet He guides it back from straggling paths that leadeth it away. Thy lov’d is safe within the fold; who lies beyond the sea; The kind fond Shepherd from the wilds the wanderer hath restored; Lift up your voices, oh! Bereaved, and let your answer be, "God gives to us, and takes again; blest be Thy Name, O Lord!" Pambula, May 16 1900. The Southern Star reports [c8.1901] that Mr. J ABRAHAMS has received the effects of his son, the late Private W ABRAHAMS, from South Africa and also the 5 pounds presented by the British Sovereign to every man who has served in the war. Cobargo Chron.: Pte. ABRAHAMS amongst the Bega MR men farewelled 10.1899, returned c3.11.1899 failed medical examination. Departure of Bega Mounted Rifles for the Transvaal. Ever since the idea of sending a contingent of the local Mounted Rifles to the scene of war in the Transvaal was mooted, the idea has steadily gained ground, until the matter has become an accomplished fact. And what a send off they got! Who amongst us could imagine the lethargic Bega people throwing off their wonted quiescence and entering into the affair with an enthusiasm that bids fair to eclipse their more volatile New Zealand contemporaries. As impromptu affairs, Monday night's and Tuesday morning's proceedings have never been equalled in Bega. A smoke concert was arranged as a send off, and the enthusiasm that prevailed was overpowering, this humble scribe for the once envying the dubious lot of the soldier bent on warfare. The National Anthem was sung with a fervor that boded ill for the brutal Boer. Patriotic speeches were delivered by the gallant Major – and a host of civilians. Staff Sergeant DALY's rendition of 'Soldiers of the Queen' touched the audience in the right spot. The same gallant, during the course of a few remarks, stated that, as an old soldier, he placed every confidence in his men, who, although not innured to actual warfare, were made of the 'right stuff'. The young ladies of the town vied with each other in their endeavors to decorate the gallants with their colors, whilst the audience lent their approval. Songs and recitations were rendered by Messrs. Thatcher, Ford, Dorrington, W. Boardman, G. Boardman, Daly and Sinclair, whilst the irrepressible "Jersey" delighted the audience with a couple of jigs. The proceedings were somewhat marred by an attempt to introduce the snobocratic element – "the upper ten" being indulged in 'superior drinks, doncher-know', whilst the ‘'ore plebeians' had to rest contented with long sleevers. A great deal of adverse comment was engendered by this spasmodic attempt to emulate our puerile Governor. The proceedings on Tuesday morning were not one whit the less enthusiastic. The contingent consisted of Staff Sergeant DALY, Corporal MANNING and Privates MAPLES, KIRKLAND, WATERSON, BULL, SIMMONS, YOUNG, HAWES, SEAGAR, ABRAHAMS and Farrier Sergeant WILSON. Headed by a couple of mounted troopers and the Bega band, the procession marched along Auckland, Carp and Church streets. Whilst parading the latter street, the men were saluted with a shower of roses by a bevy of pretty girls who lined the pathways, whilst three rousing cheers were given by the sterner sex. Before leaving the town the men were put under 'fire'- having to submit to a snapshot by a local photographer – and they came out of the ordeal in real military style. The band headed the contingent for the Bega bridge, where a halt was made and a good deal of hand shaking indulged in, the men being sent off amidst the good wishes of the great throng and to the strains of "The Girl I Left Behind Me". A few buggies and horsemen accompanied the men for a few miles along the route, where a further leave taking occurred. Major Bland made a few appropriate remarks, and wished the men bon voyage. The men bore themselves like warriors who had been through the 'mill' and did not seem dismayed at the prospect ahead of them. A gruesomely suggestive incident – the passing of a hearse – occasioned much amusing banter, especially as the hearse was driven by the father of one of the volunteers. The Late Private W ABRAHAMS (Written for the Cobargo Chronicle c3.1900) It was scarcely to be expected that our representatives in South Africa would all come off scot free when they so valiantly undertook to throw in their lot with the "Soldiers of the Empire" and, if need be, shed their last drop of blood in defence of its honor. And as if in confirmation of this natural inference, word came through on Sunday last that Private William ABRAHAMS, son of Mr. J Abrahams, and a member of the first detachment that left here for the seat of war, was killed in action at the battle of Driefontein, whilst serving under General French. When the sad news arrived great sorrow was felt for the bereaved relatives, who justly manifested great pride in the gallant young soldier who was destined to be Bega's first to sacrifice his life in the battles of the Empire. The attachment that existed between young Abrahams and his parents should be a lesson in filial duty that might well be emulated by others with profit to themselves. His sad end is rendered all the more pathetic on account of the parting injunction received from his father - "Stick to your post lad, and die there if necessary!". And we require no better proof than his death that he obeyed his father's behest. ABRAHAMS, whose unassuming nature made him popular amongst his comrades, was the youngest member of the detachment, and his youth - just emerging from the adolescent teens into man's estate - makes his untimely death harder to bear. Being attached to General French's mounted division, he probably took part in all the brilliant engagements fought by that dashing officer, not the least of which was the relief of Kimberley. It is to be hoped that those who, on the occasion of the departure of the contingent, were loud in their assertions that "We won't forget you" will be true to their promise and erect a suitable cenotaph as a monument to the bravery and valor of Bega's "first to fall". Most valient son! who so bravely answered the call, Thy memory shall in our hearts be engraved; And we cherish the thought that thou did'st nobly fall Fighting for the freedom of Briton's enslaved. Thy comrades left behind you will tell of thy death, Given in response to stern Duty's behest; Our prayer is that thy spirit may be at rest. Tho' peacefully resting on Afric's distant shores, With us thy memory shall ever be green; For we reck not the day that you fought for the cause, And nobly died for your country and your Queen! PWT Bega 21.3.1900. URL7: Bega Memorial unveiled [c9.1905] with name of Tpr. W ABRAHAMS amongst those from District who were killed. URL9: last letter and Xmas cards to mother in Bega NSW, shot while sitting behind wall as horse-holder 200 yards behind firing line. Source:# 1286 William John ABRAHAM (birth certificate shows no 's' on his surname nor on siblings' and father's) born 19.3.1881 at Merimbula NSW. URL10: Aust. Boer War Memorial database record. Sydney Mail: Trooper W ABRAHAM, reported in the cable as killed, is from Bega, and was one of the first contingent from that town. He was born at Merimbula, near Bega. Prior to joining the force for South Africa, he was employed at Tathra.
Source References		Murray: Official Records of the Australian Contingents etc. page(s) 33 203 Wallace1: The Australians at the Boer War page(s) 139 Source:# Oz-Boer contributed source number 45 Source:# Oz-Boer contributed source number 166 B5204: National Archives of Australia series B5204 Source:# Oz-Boer contributed source number 445 Syd. Herald : Sydney Morning Herald newspaper date(s) 19 & 20.3.1900 Morn.Bull: Rockhampton Morning Bulletin newspaper date(s) 3.5.1900 Hawksbury Adv.: Hawksbury Advocate newspaper date(s) 10.8.1900 Town&Country: Aust. Town and Country journal date(s) 31.3.1900 & 6.9.1905 Queenslander: The Queenslander newspaper date(s) 24.3.1900 Source:# Oz-Boer contributed source number 1286 Cobargo Chron.: Cobargo Chronicle newspaper date(s) 27.10 & 3.11.1899 & 23.3.1900 Bega Star: Bega Southern Star newspaper date(s) 7 & 21.11.1900, 6 & 8.2, 9.3 & 8.6.1901 Bega Std.: Bega Standard newspaper date(s) 31.10.1899, 20.2 & 20 & 23.3.1900 CandeloEU: Candelo & Eden Union newspaper date(s) 22.2.1900 Pambula V.: Pambula Voice newspaper date(s) 23.3 & 8.6.1900, 8.2.1901 Sing. Argus: Singleton Argus newspaper date(s) 24.4.1900 Sydney Mail: Sydney Mail newspaper date(s) 24.3.1900
External Link URL1		www.hagsoc.org.au/sagraves/nmcdb/nmcdb-search.php
External Link URL2		www.australiansatwar.net.au/stories/stories.asp?war=BW&id=79
External Link URL3		www.ozlists.com/genies/smh/boer_war/1900/perparas.htm
External Link URL4		nla.gov.au/nla.news-article52573715
External Link URL5		nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66369982
External Link URL6		nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71378506
External Link URL7		nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71534256
External Link URL8		nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14300730
External Link URL9		nla.gov.au/nla.news-article78887486
External Link URL10		bwm.org.au/site/William_Abrahams.php

Please email me if you can contribute any other relevant information about this person (eg any other military service, where in Australia they came from or when/where they died). Also, if you find an external link broken.


Apology: For some time now it has been difficult to keep up with the newly available sources (especially the Trove newspaper site) plus the flow of contributions and queries. So I have been forced to prioritise maintenance and data entry over replying to correspondence. Nevertheless, your contributions are being added to the database and acknowledged on the contributions page and, although my replies are many months behind, I will attempt to get to them more often.

 

Colin Roe
Canberra

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