Tasmanian War Casualties

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Thank you from Gravesites of Tasmania.

WARBURTON, JOHN EDWARD

Rank Private	Unit Fourth Tas Contingent, Second Imperial Bushmen	Date of Death 9 May 1901
Service Number 252	Service Colonial Military Forces	Cause of Death Died of wounds

London, May 21^st – A splendid instance of gallantry on the part of two Tasmanians is reported

The two Tasmanians were Privates Warburton and Brownell, who were in the detachment under Colonel E. T. Wallack that recently engaged Commandant Scheepers at Gannashoek in the Cape Colony. On that occasion three Tasmanians were wounded, and one was captured. The next day the Tasmanians again attacked the Boers, expelling them from the position without sustaining any loss.

Brownell and Warburton were intercepted by 22 Boers at Gannashoek. Sheltering themselves behind trees the two men opened fire upon the enemy. They made splendid practice, and three times repulsed the Boers, who were closing in upon them, many of whom fell by their bullets. Eventually they had to shoot their own horses in order to provide themselves with cover. Behind the bodies they still maintained a desperate resistance.

At last Warburton was shot in the head. Brownell continued to fire until he had used up his last cartridge, and he then surrendered. After he had given himself up one of the Boers shot him in the shoulder. Brownell was stripped of his arms and accoutrements and then released.

Warburton subsequently died of his wounds.

Extracted from

Tasmanians in the Transvaal War by John Bufton

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.