Tasmanian War Casualties

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Thank you from Gravesites of Tasmania.

BLACK, HENRY MITCHELL

Rank Private [Pte]	Unit First Tas Mounted Infantry Contingent	Date of Death 18 April 1900
Service Number 46	Service Colonial Military Forces	Place of Death Bloemfontein
		Cause of Death Died

Son of Mr. William Black of Cressy, died of enteric fever, April 18^th 1901 at Bloemfontein. Private Black was born near New Norfolk 23^rd. September 1879 and was in his 22^nd year. Mr. G. R. Fenton of Uxbridge was his grandfather and he had many relatives in that district. His parents resided for some years at “Meadow Bank” prior to their removal to Cressy.

Writing from Bloemfontein under date April 19^th Major Reay, correspondent of the Melbourne Herald says

“Unhappily I have to make an addition to the lengthening list of our losses from disease. The latest victim is a fine young Tasmanian, Private Black, who died of typhoid fever at one of the local hospitals on the 18^th inst. Black was one of the first comers and had seen six months’ campaigning, came safely from under showers of Boer bullets on several occasions, and throughout all carried himself like the gallant soldier he was. All for what? To reach the Free State capital, go into hospital and die of a miserable disease. Casualties on service we expect to have, and the folks at home know that this one or the other held dear may any day be struck down by a Boer bullet, or rent by a shell. When the enemy claims a man we yield him, sadly, it is true, yet in a spirit which recognizes the strict justice of the demand. We cannot expect to do all the killing, and yet all escape being killed. It is quite a different thing when disease rears its ugly head and seizes upon one of our gallant young fellows. Bitterly do we grudge him, and bitterly do we complain of conditions which make the ravages of disease so easy as they are here. Poor young Black! He was unmarried, I learn, nor will a mother’s hot tears pay a tribute to the gallant dead. I do not know whether he has brothers and sisters in Tasmania, but it is understood he has.”

Above notes taken from

Tasmanians in the Transvaal War by John Bufton

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.