Description
Title: Mafeking to the Manning – Letters from the Front – Boer War 1899-1902
Author: Gow, Rod and Gow, Wendy
Condition: Near Mint
Edition: 1st Edition
Publication Date: 1999
ISBN: 0646350056
Cover: Soft Cover without Dust Jacket – 94 pages
Comments: Whilst involved in historical newspaper archival research of the late 19th century, it soon became obvious that there was a wealth of information reported in the Manning River Times and the Wingham Chronicle newspapers, relating to the Boer War of 1899 – 1902.
With this book it is the intention to honour these long dead Australian soldiers. Their letters reflect the thoughts and feelings of ordinary men who served in a conflict far from both home and loved ones and give a different insight to the cold facts and statistics of the war’s official documentation.
Existing records of Australian involvement in the Boer War are incomplete and Veteran’s names on Boer War honour rolls in the Manning Valley were meagre indeed. The honour roll at Wingham Town Hall recorded only nine names, whilst the one in Fotheringham Park, Taree, had no Manning Valley Boer War soldiers listed. Our research has brought to light a total of 107 names, 73 from the Manning Valley and an additional 34 from other areas.
Our soldiers wrote accounts to family back home, evoking powerful emotions, of the trials and tribulations they encountered in the South African war. Families shared these letters with the wider community and many were published in Manning River newspapers of the time.
Following our research, the many dozens of omissions from some honour rolls were rectified and it is with great pride that we may claim a part in helping present and future generations to remember those who served and those who gave their lives – for this country.
