John Henry
10-02-2006, 07:25 AM
I have just read, in the Jan/Feb issue of "Reveille" (NSW - RSL magazine), a story relating to the Boer War.
"This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the return to Australia, of the ONLY body of more than 1000 Australian soldiers killed in the Boer War (1899-1902).
He wasn't a General; hadn't earned a VC; ...but he had one claim to fame - he was the brother of Dorothea Mackellar, the celebrated Australian poet of "My Country", and its famed line "I love a sunburnt country ....".
Keith Kinnaird Mackellar, born Gunnedah, NSW, was 19 when he went to war; was a lieutenant with a NSW Cavalry Squadron. This Sq'd'n played a small part in actions at Blomfontein, and Pretoria (March - June 1900).
In late June 1900, he joined a British unit, and on 11th July 1900, was fatally wounded in a skirmish. His body was taken to Pretoria, and buried in the Military Section of the Cemetery.
In 1905, his still grieving family decided to bring the body home. He was buried in the family vault at Sydney's Waverley Cemetery, on 14th November 1905. Location is Allotment 832B vault, C of E, Sect. E. The grave in Pretoria is still tended by the cemetery keepers, and is close to "The Breaker".
Ironically, on 11th July 1882, my gt/gt/gr-father Israel Harding, earned his VC (RN, Alexandria, Egypt). His daughter was my gt gr-mother. My gr-mothers half-sister Constance Artley, was a travelling companion to Lady Marion Mackellar and Dorothea. I have a couple of documents and photos for such.
"This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the return to Australia, of the ONLY body of more than 1000 Australian soldiers killed in the Boer War (1899-1902).
He wasn't a General; hadn't earned a VC; ...but he had one claim to fame - he was the brother of Dorothea Mackellar, the celebrated Australian poet of "My Country", and its famed line "I love a sunburnt country ....".
Keith Kinnaird Mackellar, born Gunnedah, NSW, was 19 when he went to war; was a lieutenant with a NSW Cavalry Squadron. This Sq'd'n played a small part in actions at Blomfontein, and Pretoria (March - June 1900).
In late June 1900, he joined a British unit, and on 11th July 1900, was fatally wounded in a skirmish. His body was taken to Pretoria, and buried in the Military Section of the Cemetery.
In 1905, his still grieving family decided to bring the body home. He was buried in the family vault at Sydney's Waverley Cemetery, on 14th November 1905. Location is Allotment 832B vault, C of E, Sect. E. The grave in Pretoria is still tended by the cemetery keepers, and is close to "The Breaker".
Ironically, on 11th July 1882, my gt/gt/gr-father Israel Harding, earned his VC (RN, Alexandria, Egypt). His daughter was my gt gr-mother. My gr-mothers half-sister Constance Artley, was a travelling companion to Lady Marion Mackellar and Dorothea. I have a couple of documents and photos for such.