THE DEATH OF TROOPER MOORE.
Quite a gloom was cast over Amberley on Monday when the news of the death of Trooper, John Moore, at Pretoria, reached the town. Trooper Moore, who was twenty-two years of age, went away with the Sixth Contingent. He is the second son of Mr John Moore, of Amberley, one of Canterbury's oldest settlers, and since leaving school has been engaged in sheepfarming, first on his fathers estate in the Malvern district, and later on his own account at Waipara. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, as well as of the Amberley Tennis and Hunt Clubs, and his jovial and open manner won for him numerous friends. Shortly before leaving for Africa he became attached to the Canterbury Yeomanry Cavalry corps. The flags were flying at half-mast at Amberley yesterday, out of respect for the deceased, and wide-spread sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents and friends. -Star, 18/4/1901.
DEATH OF LIEUTENANT RYAN
We sincerely regret to hear that the grim war of the Transvaal has claimed another victim from the ranks of our brave, colonial soldiers. Word was received this morning that Lieutenant F. J. Ryan, of Christchurch, was killed on the 16th instant at Paardeplaat. The brave young fellow was one of the Third Contingent, and distinguished himself in such a manner that he received his commission in the Sixth Contingent as a Lieutenant. He was a fearless soldier, and fought bravely for his country. He witnessed many fights with the enemy, and records hair-breadth escapes. But promotion was hailed with delight by his comrades and friends, as few men won so deservedly the honour he attained. Lieutenant Ryan was of age, and is a brother to Mr A. T. Ryan of this town. The unfortunate young fellow was looking forward to a happy return to the colony in a short time, but now he has left a memory of which his friends may be justly proud. We tender to Mr A. Ryan and his parents our sincere sympathy, and trust that they may find no small consolation in the fact that the one whom they loved died in the defence of his country and in the discharge of sacred duty. -Greymouth Evening Star, 22/6/1901.
THE SIXTH CONTINGENT.
AN AWKWARD SITUATION.
SURPRISED IN A RAVINE.
LIEUTENANT RYAN KILLED.
[FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] Utrecht, June 25.
June 12: We left Anney's Spruit and marched to St. Helena. A few patrols came in contact with the outposts of scattered Boers, and burned several farms.
June 13: Marched to Smikerhoek, A patrol under Colonel Vialls, consisting of the Otago and Canterbury Squadrons under Major Andrew, with Captains Tucker and Stevenson, a pom-pom under Captain Rotten, R.H.A., went out to Cutral Nek to meet the convoy with supplies from Wakkerstroom, which had been escorted by Major Lloyd, S.L.I., with two companies of Somersets, two companies of Munsters under Captain O'Meager, 100 mounted men consisting of 50 New Zealanders under Captain Markham (these men had rejoined after temporary detention in hospital, chiefly victims of malaria, contracted on the march to Petersburg). The remainder were Australians, Hussars, Lancers, sharpshooters, and Imperial Yeomanry. A few Boers who were trekking west received rather a warm sendoff from our pom-pom.
June 14: To-day occupied in clearing the remaining country and bringing in refugees.
June 15: Marched to Spruitfontein. The New Zealanders formed the rear-guard. Trooper J. Ewart, Otago, was shot in the foot.
June 16: The Sixth New Zealand Mounted Rifles formed the advance guard to Goodegorendo. Major Andrew marched from camp with 100 men, divided into six troops, towards Groethoek, five miles distant, to bring in a number of cattle and waggons reported to be in laager there. Lieutenant Williams, with a troop of Wellington Squadron, moved in advance; Lieutenant Ryan, with the Otago Squadron, on the left flank; and Lieutenant Rose, with Wellington men, on the right. The other troops, under Lieutenants Watkin and Mansion, were with the main body, under Major Andrew, Lieutenant Mitchell acting as galloper. After marching about four miles Lieutenant Ryan reported about 50 head of cattle in a ravine on his left, but as the place was inaccessible the to had to be left at that time. Lieutenant Ryan then moved in the rear of the advanced guard down a deep ravine, along which the road ran to Groethoek. Lieutenant Rose, at the same time, occupied a ridge overlooking the ravine, to cover Lieutenant Williams' advance. Major Andrew took up a position near Lieutenant Rose's party. Almost immediately the enemy began a heavy fire from the bush growing along both sides of the narrow kloof running northwards out of the valley. It appears that the guide with Lieutenant Williams met a Kaffir, who lived in a kraal up a ravine to the left, and he reported that there were about 10 waggons and a few Boors with a lot of cattle up the ravine, and that the Boers did not want to fight. Lieutenant Williams asked the guide if he could trust the Kaffir. On the guide replying in the affirmative Lieutenant Williams decided to go up the ravine. Before doing so he asked Lieutenant Ryan to put his men behind rocks and cover his (Lieutenant Williams') retreat if necessary. Lieutenant Ryan appeared to understand what was required, and Lieutenant Williams, with his troop, moved on up the ravine. After going a short distance he saw a Boer waggon flying the white flag. He naturally assumed that the enemy had surrendered, and so he trotted on towards it. As soon, however, as he got close to it, the Boers, lying concealed in the bushes on both sides of the ravine, opened a rapid fire on him. He at once ordered his troop to retire at a gallop. Five of his horses fell shot by the enemy's first volley, and nine of his men, including the five whose horses fell, were taken prisoners. As he retired he noticed Lieutenant Ryan had left the position assigned to him, and moved further up the ravine with his men. Lieutenant Ryan then decided to retire also, and ordered his men to run back to the spruit one at a time, as the fire was very severe. All the men got back safely until only Lieutenant Ryan and Trooper Forbes were left. They decided to run for the spruit, but had not gone far when Lieutenant Ryan fell mortally wounded. Shortly afterwards Trooper Forbes came in and reported that Lieutenant Ryan and Trooper Aitken were lying wounded up the ravine. Major Andrew ordered his men to cease fire, and despatched Surgeon-Captain O'Neill, with five men, to attend to the wounded and bring them in, but as soon as he moved forward flying the Red Cross flag, the enemy directed a heavy fire on him, forcing the party to retire. Surgeon-Captain O'Neill then attempted to reach the wounded from another direction, but with the same result. Our men then commenced a terrific fire on the enemy, who, after a time, were silenced. After an hour Dr. O'Neill again volunteered to go forward, and this time the enemy allowed him to proceed. He brought in Lieutenant Ryan, who was dead, the bullet having gone through the thigh; also Trooper Wilson, who had injured his back through a fall. A heliograph message was sent by Major Andrew to General Plumer's camp , as soon as the enemy were located, but it was not until four p.m. (three hours after the enemy opened fire) that the signaller could get the message through, owing to the dense clouds of smoke blowing across the ridges. As it was now late, and impossible to drive the enemy out of their position without artillery, Major Andrew retired to camp. Dr. O'Neill stated that there were about 40 or 50 Boers in the ravine. One or two came up and talked with the doctor.
June 17: At half-past six a.m. Lieutenant Ryan was buried at Goedgevendon, Surgeon-Captain O'Neill reading the burial-service, the officers of the headquarters staff, officers and men of the 6th N.Z.M.R., and representatives from other units being present. It is not too much to say that Lieutenant Ryan was one of the most popular officers in the regiment, and that on more than one occasion he had proved himself to be a brave and reliable leader. Quite a gloom was cast over our camp. -NZ Herald, 10/8/1901.
A meeting was held at the Road Board Office, Springfield, on Saturday evening, for the purpose of taking steps to erect some memento to the late Trooper James H. Atkinson, who was killed at Paardeburg on April 29. Mr Bonham. (Chairman of the' Road Boards presided. It was decided to issue subscription lists, and, if a sufficient sum can be raised, to purchase a plot in, the Springfield Cemetery, and erect a small obelisk. Trooper Atkinson was brought up at Springfield, and was highly respected; he went to South Africa With the Fifth Contingent. Much sympathy is felt for Mrs Atkinson and family in their sad bereavement. -Lyttelton Times, 21/5/1901.
THE SPRINGFIELD MEMORIAL
UNVEILING CEREMONY.
Yesterday afternoon the inhabitants of the Malvern district met at Springfield, to take part in the ceremony of unveiling a monument erected by them to the memory of Lieutenant Ryan, Trooper Atkinson, and Trooper Moore, Malvern, who died in the Transvaal. The Malvern Mounted Rifles, commanded by Captain Deans, were present, and formed a hollow square before the monument. The proceedings were commenced by Mr Benham, chairman, who read apologies from the Premier, Mr C. A. C. Hardy, M.H.R., and Father Chastagon, expressing regret at their inability to be present.
After the monument had been unveiled by Mr. Benham, short addresses were given by Revs. Hamilton, Maxwell, Reader, Captain Lewin, and Mr Cunningham, eulogising the men whom the inhabitants wished to honour by erecting a lasting tribute to their worth, and at the same time expressing deepest sympathy with the bereaved relatives.
Lieutenant Ryan was killed in action at Wakerstroom. Of him Captain Lewin said — "He set a good example to all; obedient to a degree, smart on and off parade, ever ready to help a comrade; he died a crave soldier beloved of all." Trooper Atkinson, of Springfield, was killed in action at Paardeburg, and Trooper Moore, of Annat, died of enteric fever at Pretoria. All three were men greatly respected and beloved by all who knew them.
The monument, which is placed near the gate of the Springfield Cemetery, is a handsome obelisk of Aberdeen granite, beautifully polished throughout. It has an inscription in gold letters giving the names of the deceased, and bearing the line, "To live in hearts we leave behind us is not to die." -Press, 5/10/1901.
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