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From the War.

The other day another Foxton boy returned from the war in South Africa, in the person of QuarterMaster Sergeant Arthur Jonaon of the 6th Contingent. During his twelvemonths treking over the Transvaal and the Orange Bivet Colonies bis mind was on Home, and its people, and here, there, and everywhere he secured • mementoes of the stirring events. The other day we had the pleasure of examining the curios brought back which are interesting to all, but will be immensely so in years to come to the owner. A bit of iron about five inches long would be of itself of little value, but when it is known it is a portion of a shell picked up on the battlefield of Magersfontein it becomes of much interest. The brass casings of the shells fired by the guns of the Terrible, which were used at Ladysmith will always be reminders of the fortunate circumstance that the “ Handy Man ” got those weapons into the beseiged town just in time. Shell cases of the 15-pounders are aiso interesting, but the shells of the “Poms poms ” which have been found of inestimable use in the field claim much attention. To fancy one of these deadly engines at work on an enemy, firing 25 rounds automatically at one a minute, and used almost as a broom to sweep an awkward kopje, makes one wish to be only on the side which had the gun. Quarter-Master Jonson also collected many odds and ends, but the most curious was the outcome of his . desire to save the work from further loss. Some ten miles out of Wepener the Contingent came to a very fine house in which everything had been wantonly destroyed by the Boers—pianos smashed, furniture in pieces, &c. Adjoining the house was the late owner’s private chapel well built, but the inside had been disturbed. and the probabilities were great that further damage would be done. On the Altar was a handsomely worked cloth, and the QuarterMaster Jonson annexed and carefully brought home. On the Kev. Mr Wilson admiring it and expressing an opinion that, the church should have it, the cloth was kindly presented to All Saints’ Church, Quarter-Master Jonson saying he bad retrieved it for either Levin or Foxton. Photographs of most interesting places were also brought back, and some photographs taken by the Boers the plates having come into the possession of the English. One photograph showed the Boers firing from the Kopje at Ladysmith, and it can be seen to have been a genuine one as lying in front of the picture is the body of a Boer dead. The picture is interesting as it brings to view the admirable shelter lying about the kopje and the advantage the Boers were taking of it. Another odd memento is a small Boer boy’s prize book, not of great value, but in which hia name and that of his master’s is written. This was picked up on the veldt at the time the Boers had to leave hurriedly. These are just a few ofJP u ~

we were shown, but it will help to give some idea that a visit of inspection was very interesting.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MH19020524.2.12

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Manawatu Herald, 24 May 1902, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
533

From the War. Manawatu Herald, 24 May 1902, Page 2

From the War. Manawatu Herald, 24 May 1902, Page 2

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