Letter Written by William Joseph Patrick Stinson NSW INF COY (1 NSW Mounted Rifles)

DESCRIPTION

TitleLetter Written by William Joseph Patrick Stinson NSW INF COY (1 NSW Mounted Rifles)AuthorStinson, William Joseph PatrickDocument TypeLetterFormatDigitalDescriptionWilliam Joseph Patrick Stinson was born 20 April 1881. He served with the NSW Inf Coy (First NSW Mounted Rifles) and attained the rank of Sergeant June 1900 Boer War.

This letter, written to his sister, Ethel, from Arundel Camp, mentions two Shellharbour soldiers who served in the Boer War, Samuel Atchison and Edward (Ted) Thomas.

William writes of Samuel Atchison's death and a shell that burst near Ted Thomas.

Provenance and SignificanceTranscript of Letter.

(1) PS: Don’t trouble about PD- I can look after myself WJS

Arundel Camp
February 21st 1900

My Dear Ethel

Since I brought my note to mother to such an abrupt conclusion I have had a very rough time. The same evening the whole outpost got soaked through with rain, and we had to advance right up under the Boer position on top of a hill. It was bitterly cold and towards morning it commenced to snow and the

(2) bullets began to come and altogether it was a very pleasant time. Well, we were relieved next morning at 8’o’clock and had a five mile ride into camp, unsaddled our horses and got half way through our breakfast when we had to saddle up and out again like the deuce to protect our right flank and didn’t we just have a day, fighting the whole day long up till ten at night without a bit of food all day until next day. One of our fellows was killed by a shell which

(3) burst right at his feet and fairly riddled him, broke both arms, both legs, tore his face, neck, chest and stomach and he lived three and a half hours. He wanted one of his mates to shoot him dead but he would not. He was conscious the whole time and got his mate to read his bible to him. He died very peacefully and said he was quite prepared for what was before him. His horse was killed by the same shell. Sam Atchison was his name and he belonged to the Scottish Rifles at Sydney.

(4) Another shell burst near Ted Thomas and one piece chopped a little bit out of his face and a piece chipped my right hand and a flying stone chipped my face a lucky escape indeed. Well after that I with four men had to dismount and advance on a hill where the Boers were on. We were about 200 yards from the Kopje when the Boers opened fire on us from the front well that was not enough but some silly fools on our own side opened fire on us from the right and although we kept on advancing to the Kopje we had a durned hot time. As soon as we reached the foot of

(5) the hill the Boers retired on to the next one there were only about a dozen on the one we drove them off of. But there were about a hundred more on the one behind it so then we signalled for the rest to come along and bring the horses and thus we got them going but as night came on we retired as it was useless staying there. In that advance my four men and I were very luckey [sic] as not one of us were wounded beyond a couple of grazes. Two men were missing one got lost and turned up same night the other was captured but turned up again next morning he having got away.

(6) We were complimented by the commanding officer on our return for our good work and were issued with a drop of rum which was very acceptable. February 23/1900 I knocked off very abruptly had to turn out to fight gave them another drubbing and they had to retire. Well I suppose I will be called out again before long so I will come to a conclusion. Don’t trouble too much about looking for work. It is the least that Pater of our’s could do is keep us, but alas what is the use of talk. Well, Au Revoir for the present. From your loving brother. Will.
DonorStinson, Bill (Grandson of WJP Stinson)Date of Publication21 February 1900

CONNECTIONS

CollectionDocumentsFamilyAtchisonPersonAtchison, Samuel CharlesThomas, Edward HaslamAtchison, Clorinda (nee Thomas)

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Letter Written by William Joseph Patrick Stinson NSW INF COY (1 NSW Mounted Rifles)