The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra

 
 
Trooper Charles Hewertson

Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: Charles Nelson Hewertson

Ancestor's date of birth: 01/05/1880

Ancestor's date of death: 01/01/1955

Cause of Death: Detail not provided

Service Number: 25433

Colony or State of enlistment: Not applicable, Place of enlistment: United Kingdom

Unit: 57 Coy, 15 Bn Imperial Yeomanry

Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: On enlistment

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): PTE, Date Effective: 30/06/1916

Murray Page: Not applicable, did not serve in an Australian unit

Contingent: Not applicable

Ship: Travelled to South Africa from the United Kingdom

Memorial details: Detail not provided.

Decorations: Queen and King's South Africa Medal with clasps, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.

Personal Characteristics: Height: 1.68 m, Weight: 60.3 kg (1916)

Reasons to go and fight: Detail not provided.

Details of service in war: The Imperial Yeomanry was raised to match the Boers' skill as fast moving, mounted infantry. The Boer War brought unexpected defeats for the British army at the hands of the Boers in "Black Week", December 1899. This was attributed to the skill and determination of the Boer farmers-fast moving, highly skilled horsemen operating in open country.[3] Britain's answer to the Boers was the Imperial Yeomanry, hurriedly dispatched in January 1900. The Imperial Yeomanry's first action was on 5 April 1900, when members of 3rd and 10th battalions fought Boer volunteers led by Frenchman Count de Villebois-Mareuil at Boshof. After a series of tactical errors, the Boers were subsequently surrounded. The Count was killed, and the Imperial Yeomanry was victorious, suffering only three casualties. The next action took place in Lindley, a Boer held town. On 27 May 1900, due to a miscommunication, the 13th battalion (under Lieutenant Colonel Basil Spragge) arrived at Lindley where they were ambushed by a group of Boers. Rather than retreat, Spragge decided to fight until aid arrived. Although a message for help did arrive, it didn't describe the urgency of the situation, and no help came until it was too late. One officer and 16 men were killed (with another officer and three more men later dying of wounds), and 400 were captured. Following the disaster at Lindley, the Yeoman rode hundreds of kilometres over the Veldt, but rarely encountered any Boers. With the rate of disease and death rising, morale was falling. During the later part of 1900 they had a few small victories, but still nothing major. Finally, in September, 1900, the City Imperial Volunteers were returning to England, instead of the Imperial Yeoman. This plummeted the morale, and a high number of Yeoman volunteered to join police forces to escape the monotony of regular duty. Due to this, only one-third of the original force was still serving. Eventually, in June or July 1901, all of the first recruits returned to England, except the ones who re-enlisted.

Service and life after the Boer War: Migrated to Australia, in 1916 he was married to Jessie and working as an ironmonger. He had a daughter Vera. Joined the AIF on 30 June 1916, served with 18 Bn. He was wounded in action, France, 3 May 1917. Died in Liverpool NSW 1955.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Garry Murdoch, Ryde NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson

 


© New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum Incorporated ABN 94 630 140 881
Site Sponsored by Cibaweb, PO Box 7287, PENRITH SOUTH NSW 2750, AUSTRALIA
Click to contact
website designed and maintained by cibaweb Site Disclaimer

go to top of page
RUSI of NSW Boer War Battlefields