Extracts and Comments
(from Sources as shown) | |
Murray: killed 10.12.1901.
Price1: killed in action at Tweedraai, War Memorials Ballarat Sydney Canberra.
B5204: FORSTER Geo. Brooke a banker born 1861 in Melbourne Vic., Queen's South Africa Medal (SA01).
URL2: War Memorial Parramatta NSW.
URL3: FORSTER GM killed in action, War Memorial The Oaks NSW.
URL4: Killed in action at Bethel 8.12.1901 memorial at St. James Church Sydney NSW.
URL6: A few days later we (in conjunction withl Cols. RAWLINSON and WING) struck Grobelaar's laager near Bethel, and besides very large stock and transport captures got 135 prisoners. The fighting on this occasion was very warm, and the various columns totalled some thirty casualties. Among the killed was Captain FORSTER, of E Squadron, Mounted Rifles, a dashing soldier and a "real white" who was shot at very close quarters right in the fore front of the fight. His loss is greatly felt, as he was very good to his men, and perhaps the most popular officer in his regiment.
URL7: Lieutenant George B FORSTER, of the Second Regiment New South Wales
Mounted Rifles, whose death, in action at Bethel, South Africa, has been announced, was the grandson of the late Commander George Brookes FORSTER RN, who commanded the sloop-of-war Emu on the Australian Station, and died at an advanced age in Sydney some years ago.
URL8: Trooper Frank BOYD, in writing to his mother from Ermelo, December 11th [1901] says - "We have been out from Middleburg nearly a month and it has been the hardest time we have had since coming to South Africa. We leave the convoy for two and three davs together and go on as a flying column. On the 4th we went out about 400 strong, leaving camp about 4 o'clock in the afternoon with two days rations on the saddles. The rations consisted of biscuits and jam. We rode all night through terrible rain, lightning, thunder and wind. We travelled at night and covered 85 miles. We got on the enemy's track about break of day, and immediately engaged them in hot battle, which lasted four hours. We captured over 100 prisoners and a part of their convoy. They were about 1800 strong and, had two 15 pounders, a pom-pom and maxim guns, while we only had one pom-pom. They opened fire on us with the 15 pounder. The effect of these shells when they burst is to reef up the ground like a dynamite charge. One of the shells landed in the middle of us but fortunately did not explode. We retired and after going twenty miles we camped, but the rain continued to pour down and we had no blankets. We had the prisoners with us and after a short rest again moved off, marching throughout the night, reaching the camp next day about noon, fairly done up. We rested that day, but the next, about 6 o'clock in the evening, we mobilised with General Bruce HAMILTON, Colonel BYNG, and General RAWLINSON, [illegible] camp and after marching all night came on the enemy again at dawn. Then followed what has been described as one of the hottest fights of the campaign. It lasted a couple of hours, and become, more and more fierce as time went on. The artillery from each side pealed forth like-rounds of thunder, and it is miraculous that any lives were spared, but the only casualty we had was the death of Capt. FOSTER, who was killed, and 10 or 11 wounded, while the Boers had 50 or 60 killed, and we do not know how many wounded. 140 prisoners were secured. We returned, to camp, reaching there about midnight on the 7th. We rested until about 6 o'clock on the 9th, when we again started and travelled 40 miles at a trotting and walking pace. At daylight the next morning we came upon the enemy again, and renewed the attack. They made a firm stand at first, but eventually retired, and we captured 70 or 80 prisoners and one of their 15-pounders. One of our comrades, young OLDHAM, was shot dead during the encounter. He was only two yards from me in the firing line, and was shot in the throat. When at the charge the firing line extended eight or ten miles of the country. After OLDHAM was shot he fell stone dead out of the saddle. It was a painful sight to witness. We buried him a few hours afterwards. The burial service, was read by the military chaplain who was with us. The chaplain also delivered an impressive address which deeply touched all who were present. We gathered some slabs of stone and erected a rough monument over the grave, carving his name on the stone. It is a lonely spot in which to lay him, so far from home. The condition of some of the wounded Boers was dreadful. One poor fellow had been shot on the side by a pom-pom shell, making a hole large enough to put your head in. We brought in him our ambulance. The Boers have learned to respect our ambulance arrangements. We then started for Ermelo, where we fell in with our convoys. We arrived at 10 o'clock on the 10th and intended resting for two or three days. We do not know where we go to next, but have been given to understand that it is Standerton, on the Natal Border. We might go to Middleburg, which place we hope to reach by the 24th and spell over Christmas. Our twelve months expire on the 17th February, and I sincerely hope we will be relieved then, for I have had quite enough of this life and will be glad to get home. Peter and Cook are with us. Peter is not quite well yet, but travels with the convoy. He is lucky to get out of it. He is like the rest of us, full up of this life. We have just heard a rumour that 400 Boers have surrendered at a place called Blue Kopje, a few miles from here. I hope it is true for if it goes on as it has this week, what with captures, casualties and surrenders there will be hardly a Boer left in the Transvaal in a month. It is an exciting time when you encounter 500 or 600 Boers in shooting range. The Boers use the explosive bullets and these fall around us like hail. It is miraculous how the men are not all killed. I hear we are to be issued beer, pudding and tobacco. Though in small quantities it will be a luxury. Last Sunday we had divine service, but in the middle of it had to disperse. The Boers made a flank attack on the camp and we had to leave and disperse them. We attend service fully equipped and we were not long in getting rid of the intruders.
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