Extracts from THE JEPPE HIGH SCHOOL MAGAZINE December 1916, Vol. 6 No. 2
OBITUARY
Charles Revel Bredell, of the South African Overseas Contingent. Died of wounds received in the battle of Delville Wood. Joined the School in January, 1906, left December, 1912 in which year he matriculated. Played for the Cricket XI and kept goal for the Football XI.
Gordon Raymond Pater, of the South African Scottish. Killed in action during the advance on Bapaume. Entered the School in 1908 and left in 1912. At the time of his death his age was but 20.
William Niven, Flight-Lieutenant. Killed in action, October 28th, 1916. At the School in 1913, in which year he matriculated. He was on of the School’s most prominent runners. When the war broke out he was studying at the School of Mines.
D.B. Duffy, of the 5th South African Horse. Killed in action in East Africa, September, 1916. He was a member of the School in its earliest days and a prominent members of the Old Boys’ Football Club.
MASTERS ON ACTIVE SERVICE
Lieutenant Payne has had a rough time. After recovering from a wound in the shoulder he rejoined his regiment, but in a few weeks had to go to hospital again for an operation for appendicitis. He is at present at Dar-es-Salaam, and seems to be having a very good time. The last news is that he is busy collecting trophies of the campaign for the school, and intends acquiring a quantity of wood to make walking sticks for prefects for many years to come.
Lieutenant M.D. Manduell is seeing stirring times. He was gazetted towards to the end of June and almost immediately afterwards was sent over to France. He seems to have been right in the thick of things almost at once, and had one or two narrow escapes. The following is an extract from one of his letters: -
“I had to bring up some wagons with supplies to a battery. I left camp about 9p.m. and got back again about 4.30a.m. There was a nasty valley to pass through. This had been heavily shelled in the afternoon and there were signs of this as I passed through. Horses and wagons were lying all around. A few shells were falling, but not many, so I determined to press on. Suddenly there was a blinding flash; my steel helmet was sent flying and my horse began to jump about. He soon quietened down, and I recovered my helmet, then gave the order “Trot, gallop,” and through we passed. The return journey was without incident. We took the valley at a good pace I can assure you. I found afterwards that my helmet had four bullet marks in it, but only one was a “fair hit.” The helmets are supposed to turn shrapnel as well. Mine certainly stood the test.”
Captain A. Cheeseman seems to be standing the campaign in East Africa as well as any. He is always in the best f health and highest spirits, and seems proof against malaria and dysentery, both of which are playing havoc with those round him. We congratulated him in our last number on receiving his captaincy, and this time it is our pleasure to record that he is in command of a company.
Trooper W.F. Candy, of the 4th South African Horse, will be with us before these lines appear in print. A very cheery letter arrived from him and he is only waiting for his discharge to return to Johannesburg. He is at present in Durban, having come down to that port a few days ago with a large batch of invalided soldiers. He has had a very hard time, and has been in hospital for months.
We hear Private Watts is keeping well. Several members of the Staff have seen him, but we have heard nothing direct from him.
Sergeant Wilson is the latest of our Staff to join the colours. He left in September for the East Africa campaign with the mechanical transport. His promotion was rapid. From driver to sergeant in a fortnight. At this rate he ought to be a Field-Marshall before the end of the hostilities.
OLD BOYS ON ACTIVE SERVICE
Private C.W. Arnot, of the S.A.I. Overseas Contingent, was wounded in the battle of Delville Wood. We hear that he is going on well.
We are pleased to hear that R.H. Clarke has been gazetted second-lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Private G. Dixon, of the South African Scottish, and his brother, T. Dixon, of the same regiment, were both severely wounded in the battle of Delville Wood. They are both progressing well. We offer our heartiest congratulations to the former on being awarded the Military Medal for bravery.
F. Dixon, a brother of the above, has also left with a reserve contingent for England. We wish him the best of luck, and heartily congratulate Mrs. Dixon on having all her sons fighting for their country.
We regret to hear that Captain G. Fox has again been wounded. We however, hear this time it is nothing serious.
Private L. Furze, of the Machine Gun Section of the 3rd S.A.I., was wounded in Delville Wood. He is progressing satisfactorily.
We hear that Private J. Hogg, of the 9th S.A.I., is on his way back to the Transvaal. He has had a rough time with fever.
Lance-Corporal H.A. Kieser, who was in the 7th Australian Light Horse, is back home. He is at present suffering from the effect of rheumatic fever caught at Gallipoli.
Second-Lieutenant H.J. Lindsay is still in England. We hear that he has been appointed as bombing instructor, as he shows such aptitude at the work.
Privates M.L. Melvill and J.P. Marr are still together. They have been with their battery at the front for several months.
LETTERS FROM THE FRONT
Gunner J.S. Rowat write to Mr. Vines:
9th Sports Regt.,
Kilindini.
On behalf of the Old Boys of the Jeppe High School who are in the 9th Regt. here, I wish to thank most heartily all those who contributed towards the purchasing of the cigarettes they sent us: it was good of them. I received them from Lieut.-Col. Kirkpatrick, and distributed them among the 18 Old Boys and masters, Capt. Cheeseman, Lieut. Cooper and Mr Watts. They came at a time when cigarettes were few, so you can guess how welcome they were. We are all at present in excellent health, and hope to see everything through to the end. With best wishes from the Old Boys to the Masters and Scholars.
Private M.S. Le Mare writes:-
H. Coy., 2nd Res. Batt.,
S.A.I.,
Borden.
Congratulations to the 1st XI on winning the Shield again. I read with great interest the reports of the matches, and was greatly pleased with the excellent record. The 2nd League seem to have had bad luck…
All the big schools here are starting funds for fitting memorials to Old Boys killed in action. Some fine suggestions from Eton and Harrow. Would it be possible to arrange something at Jeppe, which, being the school with perhaps the greatest Roll of Honour in the Transvaal, it only seems fitting should be the originator of some scheme. Could I suggest a pavilion on the new school grounds, which I suppose are ready by this time?
The following comes from Lieutenant F.W. Wing:-
I have at last secured some writing materials, so am able to let you have a few lines…I met Mr Cheeseman two of three times since I have been in East Africa. He was looking well. So was Cooper, when I last saw him some months ago. I missed seeing Mr Payne by two hours or so a few weeks ago. I have met quite a lot of our boys. They are all doing their part:-Hogg, Scott, Osborne, Bellin, Whytock, Webb, etc. I am sorry to say that Mr Candy has not enjoyed very good health, not being robust enough to stand the wear and tear of a strenuous campaign.
…Please remember me to all the Staff and scholars. I often think of them, and shall not be sorry to be amongst you again, although as long as this continues I must plod along here…A lioness came down to the water one night as we were watering the horses. A native, who was watering a horse took a header in the water-not a bad judge, either…
Lieutenant J.H.A. Payne writes as follows:-
30.8.16
Mrs Payne told me in her last letter that a box of trophies had reached you: I think that a second box will reach you shortly.
…My illness has in each case come on just as the regiment was entering country where one might have expected to pick up some interesting trophies for the school…Some Old Boys have sent in some of the things in the two cases already sent…The post here is most disappointing. I have not heard from the regiment since leaving them on July 15th and up to then the last school magazine had not arrived.
The medical officer here will not tell me when I shall e fit to return to duty but, in any case, it will not be before the 8th of next month. The operation has been entirely successful…
31.8.16
Yesterday quite a good letter arrived from Cecil: he gives me quite a lot of school news. Bleksley is here too; he had fever. Last time I saw him, he expected to return to duty in a few days.
There is considerable excitement here over the Roumanian news. It should materially shorten the war. Speculation is of course rife as to whether these troops will be required for Europe. The hardships here are sufficiently trying, and the casualities have been more or less severe, but the whole thing is child’s play to the nerve strain these fellows in Europe are subjected to.
1.9.16
Everyone here is anxiously waiting for the fall of Dar-es-Salaam. The road to the front is a thundering long one, and we hope matters may progress fast enough for the old road to be closed. Otherwise it will probably mean weeks of travelling in my case before I reach my regiment…My temporary trouble is that there is plenty of game here, but I dare not risk a strain by going out after it…
Gunner Redman writes from “Somewhere in France” :-
…Your humble servant is as usual, and none the worse for being in sopping clothes for three days. Six of us were sent to a recently captured trench to keep up communications between H.Q. and the batteries. It was rather a difficult job as the wires were being broken continually by shell fire or the traffic. Our division took –Wood, to the left of the one where the South Africans did so well…By thee way, our Brigade was congratulated by the King on the work we had done on this front…We had had some weeping shells over the other day; one burst in our kitchen just after one of our party had left. I was on duty at the time, and before we could don our gas helmets we were crying away “to beat the band.” Then I had to go and mend the wires; it was very bad in the valley-we had nine breaks in one wire, and five in the other, all within 200 yards.
“OLD BOYS’ AT THE WAR
Fifth list (for previous lists see Dec., 1914, June and Dec., 1915, June 1916 issues of the J.H.S. Magazine)
Additions and Corrections.
Pte. E. Allport, 9th S.A.I.
Pte. S. Brown S.A.M.C.
Trooper H. Bower, 2nd S.A.H.
Pte. Brown 8th S.A.I.
Pte. Barnes S.A.I. (died of disease)
Trooper Chris Botha, S.A. Horse
Pte. Billing, 7th S.A.I.
Lieut. L. Blackwell, S.A. Motor Cycle Corps
Pte. J. Bardour, O.T.C. England
Pte. C. Blecksley, 9th S.A.I.
Serg. Bleksley, 3rd S.A.H.
Driver E. Beuthin, S.A. Mot. Cycle Corps.
Capt. A.L.C. Cheeseman, 9th S.A.I.
Pte. H. Cohen R.A.M.C.
Trooper W.F. Candy 4th S.A.H.
Pte. D.R. Chapman, S.A.M.C., Overseas Continent
Pte. F. Dixon, 1st S.A.I., Overseas Contingent
Driver L. Duffus, Mech. Transport E.A.E.F
Trooper D.B. Duffy, 5th S.A.H. (killed in action East Africa, September, 1916)
Pte. L. de Beer, 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps.
Pte. E.H. Edgar, 7th S.A.I.
Driver C.E. English, Mech. Trans (Kitchener’s Army)
Pte. G. Edwards, 9th S.A.I.
Lieut. G.W. Fox, 8th Hants (D.S.O. for bombing services, Hill 60 Gallipolli)
Pte. French, S.A. Scottish (4th S.A.I)
Pte. Forsyth, 7th S.A.I.
Pte. J.S. Gowan, 9th S.A.I.
Pte. Gilroy (1), 8th S.A.I.
Pte. Gilroy (2), 8th S.A.I.
Capt. H.W. Hine, 12th Sherwood Foresters
Pte. J.B. Hine, O.T.C. (Inns of Court)
Driver W. Hopkins, Motor Transport, B.E.A.E.F.
Corpl. B. Isacke, 4th S.A.I. (Scottish)
Trooper A.W. Jones, 4th S.A.H.
Lance-Serg. I.B. Joy (wounded at “The Landing”, Dardenelles; died of wounds 1915)
Pte. E.H. Kemp, 2nd Brig,. S.A.I.
Driver J.L. Linklater, Mech. Transport, B.E.A.E.F.
Trooper A. Lindsay, 4th S.A.H.
Pte. H. Lindsay, O.T.C. Cambridge
Pte. J. Law, S.A.M.C. (O.F.)
Pte. H. Law, 7th S.A.I.
Trooper T.S. Lance, 9th S.A.I.
Driver Lewis, Motor Transport B.E.A.E.F.
Pte. A. Malcolmson S.A.I.
Pte. A. Mackenzie, Base Depot S.A.I.
Pte. F.L. Melvill, 7th S.A.I. (severely wounded, B.E.A.)
Corpl. R.C. MacDougal, 9th S.A.I.
Lance-Corporal C.H. Marshall, S.A.I., Overseas Contingent (prisoner of war)
Signaller H. McCarthy, R.E., B.E.A.E.F.
Pte. M.L. Melvill, R.H.A.
Pte. J.P. Marr, R.H.A.
Lieut. G.L. McBride, 7th S.A.I.
Sergt. T. McLeod, S.A. Scottish
Pte. K. Mann, 5th S.A.I.
Pte. Mollison, 9th S.A.I.
Pte. MacRobinson, 9th S.A.I.
Flight-Lieutenant W.M. Niven, R.F.C. (killed in action October, 1916)
Trooper C. Niven, 4th South African Horse.
Pte. M.E. Noyce, 9th S.A.I.
Pte. E. Neebe, 3rd S.A.I.
Pte. E.W. Nelson, S.A. Aviation Corps.
Driver Naeser, Motor Transport Corps, B.E.A.E.F.
Lieut. & Q.M. J.H.A. Payne, 8th S.A.I. (severely wounded in B.E.A.)
Pte. J.D. Phillip, O.T.C., London
Lieut. P. Perrow, X-Ray Co., S.A.M.C.
Pte. Petrie S.A.I.
Pte. Pater, S.A. Scottish
Pte. R. Patrick, 7th S.A.I.
Pte. V. Penney, 9th S.A.I.
Pte. N.E. Poulton, 7th S.A.I. (severely wounded in B.E.A.)
Pte. Pearce, 8th S.A.I. (severely wounded in B.E.A.)
Pte. C. Perridge, 3rd Batt. S.A.I.
Pte. C.R. Robinson, 3rd S.A.I.
Pte. C.W. Ranger, 9th S.A.I.
Sergt. R.J. Read, 4th S.A.I. (Scottish)
Gunner R.J. Redman, Signaller attached to Battery Staff, R.F.A.
2nd-Lieutenant R. Richards, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry
Trooper A.O.L. Roberts, 4th S.A.H.
Driver J. Russel, Motor Transport B.E.A.E.F.
Pte. W. Smithers, 9th S.A.I.
Sapper H.E. Shaw, R.E. Sign. Com
Sergt. H. Smith, S.A. Scottish (4th S.A.I.)
Pte. S. Smith, S.A. Scottish (4th S.A.I.)
Bugler R. Sinclair, S.A.I. (wounded in B.E.A.)
Pte. E.H. Stead, 2nd Brig., S.A.I.
Pte. A. Surtees, 9th S.A.I.
Pte. Stokkeland, 4th S.A.I.
Lieut. A.W. Thomson, 3rd S.A.I.
Pte. W.C. Taylor, Natal Reg. S.A.I.
Rifleman G.E. Taynton, Rhodesian Plat., K.R.R.
Pte. Tomlinson, unit not known
Pte. A.H. Treadwell, 2nd Brig. S.A.I.
Pte. E. Trimple, 5th S.A.F.A.
Flight Sub Lieut. T.E. Viney, D.S.O., R.N. Air Section (killed in action, May 21st)
Pte. Viney, O.T.C., London
Pte. F.W. van Renen, 4th S.A.I. (S.A. Scottish)
Pte. L.J. Whytock, 9th S.A.I.
Pte. R.J. Wilson, 7th S.A.I.
Sergt. R.W. Wilson, Mechanical Transport, East Africa
Trooper G.E. Webb, De Jager Scouts
S.S.M. F.W. Wing, 4th S.A.H.
Pte. N.S. Wallet, S.A.M.C.
Pte. W.J. Wallet S.A.M.C.
Pte. L.J. Williams, 2nd Brig. S.A.I.
Pte. Waugh, 7th S.A.I.
Pte. Wright, 8th S.A.I.
Cyclist M. Weinbren, Motor Cyclist Corps, East Africa
Pte. Watts, 9th S.A.I.
Driver Woodcock, Mech. Transport Corps, B.E.A.
2nd-Lieut. J. Yates, 11th S.A.I.
Pte. Young, 7th S.A.I. |
