WITH THE RHODESIAN ARTILLERY.
LETTER FROM GUNNER FORBES
Gunner F. W. D. Forbes, writing from Marandellas on June 10th to a Thames friend (Mr. R Vercoe) gives some interesting details of the march from Beira, to Marandellas. He says: "We arrived in Beira about the 28th of April and had to stop on board the Maori for about a week so that they could make arrangements for our landing. We were all glad to get ashore with our horses and get into camp again. We were camped about 1 1/2 mile out of Beira, and stopped there about a fortnight. We were looking after horses the whole time pretty well and doing guard. One night we had a false alarm. About 1 a.m. we heard three shots fired about 200 yards off, and of course we were all called out, and you can guess we were out pretty quick, too: but it turned out to be that three of our fellows had gone up to a Portuguese wine shop, and they had some dispute with the proprietor (a Portuguese) over some change; so the Portuguese drew his revolver, which was immediately snapped from him by our men, who ran away after getting it. But the Portuguese wasn't to be beaten, for he ran and got a rifle out and fired three shot at our fellows while they were clearing out, but fortunately missed them. Our men were put into the guard tent and fined £1 each, and the Portuguese was fined £l0 and had his license taken away from him. He got it pretty stiff, and it served him right, too. We had to mount guard over Texas ponies, which are to be used as remounts, and we had some great times with them, riding them without saddles and only a halter on. A few of us got chucked off, but that was nothing at all. They used, often, to stampede and keep it up for an hour or more, so we had to light fires and keep out of their road. They were all in a twelve-acre paddock. We were glad to get away from Beira, as it is such an unhealthy place. Dozens of the fellows were down with fever and dysentery. Some of them were pretty bad, too. About a dozen of the soldiers have died at Beira, Bamboo Creek and Umtali, but none of the fifth contingent, although some of the latter were pretty bad. It is such a swampy place at Beira, and the water was simply killing the horses. There is a lot of big game at Beira, but they never came near the camp. We used to see any amount of deer, but were never allowed to get out hunting them. There were about 7 or 8 contingents at Beira while we were there — the Queenslanders, Victorians, N.S.W., Cameron Scouts, Imperial Yeomanry, etc. We left for Bamboo Creek last Sunday fortnight, and got up there on the Monday morning about 5 a.m., and pitched camp. Immediately after it started to rain "heaven's hard," and we were all flooded out, so had to sleep in trucks at the station all night. The morning we arrived there a lion visited our horse lines, and the sentry and a couple of officers had a shot at him, but the lion walked away quite unconcerned. About midday on the Tuesday orders came down for 25 men at once to proceed to Marandellas, where we are now. I was one of the 25 who came up. We brought fifty horses up with us, and were five days and four nights in the train without taking our clothes off, so we were glad to get up here and have a good wash and a change of clothing. We left three of' our fellows at Umtali in the hospital, and about ten in charge of the sick horses, and the rest of us came up here. When we arrived the Royal Artillery, with six 15-pounder guns and 140 men, were stationed here, so they wanted colonials to volunteer to make up the complement; so all our company volunteered and were accepted. General Carrington complimented us for volunteering to fill up the gap, so we belong to the Royal Artillery now, and we expect to get away from here next Wednesday few the front. We are all disappointed at not getting away before this." -Thames Star, 31/7/1900.
DEATHS.
FORBES. — On the 13th July, on board the troopship Tagus (of pneumonia), Frederick William (fifth contingent), only son of the late William Duncan and Mary Forbes, of Perthshire, Scotland; aged 21 years. Deeply regretted. -Otago Daily Times, 13/7/1901.
A district order to volunteers in this issue announces that a military funeral will be given the late Gunner Forbes. All volunteers will parade at 1. p.m. to-morrow. -Evening star, 13/7/1901.
THE TAGUS CONTINGENT
GUNNER FORBES' FUNERAL
DUNEDIN, Saturday,
The men of the Tagus contingent on arrival from Invercargill were drawn up in the Triangle, where they were formally welcomed by the .Mayor and Colonel E. R. Smith. It had been arranged that they should be taken to their quarters by the volunteers, and Colonel Penton was just congratulating the police on keeping the place clear for the purpose of arranging the contingent when the friends and relatives of the men drifted rather than rushed through the ranks of the volunteers and police, and in a few seconds, the returned troopers were surrounded. It was, perhaps, a heartier and more appreciated welcome home than the more formal one, as each trooper was surrounded by a small knot of men, women, and children, and taken away to some home. The men are being entertained at a social to-night, and put in an appearance in large numbers.
DUNEDIN, Sunday. The troopers who returned by the "Tagus" and were removed to the hospital are getting along favourably so far, though, of course, there is not much change for the better. A very large proportion of the men are suffering from colds, which tramping about in the wet under foot at Invercargill did not improve.
The military funeral of Gunner W. F. Forbes, who died on the Tagus, took place to-day, and was very largely attended. Dense crowds lined the streets, and all the city and suburban volunteers were strongly represented. The Governor was represented by the Hon. Hill Trevor and the Ministry by the Hon. C. H. Mills, and the Defence Force by Col. Penton and Major N. Smith. Wreaths were sent by the Government and Colonel Penton, and the coffin on the "B" Battery's gun carriage was covered with flowers. About 120 of those who returned with the deceased attended. Genuine regret was felt for the pathetic death of Forbes. He lost his father before coming to the colony with his mother. When she died friends in Duendin sent him Home to his relatives, but he returned five years ago and resided in Auckland, where he joined the contingent.
WELLINGTON, this day. The Tagus arrived unexpectedly about noon. The contingents were received by Colonel Messenger, Major Owens, and Lieut. London. The Auckland and Dunedin men are all ashore. The luncheon is fixed for 1 to-morrow. -Auckland Star, 15/7/1901.
GUNNER F W FORBES
A tired trooper, bold and brave, Now rests his wearied feet
And in the shelter of his grave, Has found a safe retreat
No more the trumpets piercing breath – Him to arms will call in vain
He’s quartered in the arms of death – He will never march again.
– A FELLOW COMRADE (E. L. ) -Otago Witness, 17/7/1901.
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