The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra
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Trooper Thomas Breakwell |
Ancestor Details
Name of Ancestor: Thomas Breakwell
Ancestor's date of birth: 1865
Ancestor's date of death: 07/05/1914
Cause of Death: Dust on the lungs Miners' disease
Service and Life Before the Boer War: He was a miner in the Hillgrove-Metz area of Northern NSW. He had gone to South Africa prior to the war to try for his fortune in the mines with others from the Hillgrove area. He decided to join the South African Light Horse
Service Number: Not known
Colony or State of enlistment: Not Australia Place of Enlistment: South Africa
Unit: South African Light Horse
Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: 1900
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No evidence of post Boer War service.
Murray Page: Not applicable did not serve in an Australian unit.
Contingent: Not applicable
Ship: Travelled privately to South Africa
Memorial details: Interred in the Belligen area of NSW
Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps.
Personal Characteristics: Detail not provided.
Reasons to go and fight: Detail not provided.
Details of service in war: He is recorded nowhere in the records. He is not on the extant SALH rolls and we only know of him from the following news reports in the Hillgrove Guardian.
Hillgrove Guardian 26 January 1901:
"Len Sullings, on behalf of his comrades, the volunteers, came forward and thanked Dr Hardcastle and those present for their kind wishes, and only hoped that they would merit the honour this gathering was to them. They would try and do their duty, and if they only succeeded as well is those who had gone before them from here he would be satisfied.
Messrs Allingham, Coates, Stewart, Roach and Chapman endorsed these remarks.
Trooper C Brown wished them success, but warned them that they were not going on a pleasure trip. Trooper Seymour thanked Dr Hardcastle and those present for the hearty welcome home extended to himself and Trooper Breakwell; they had both seen some pretty hot times, while they were away; but speaking for himself, he must say that he had been well treated. The wounded and sick had been properly looked after and he had 'fallen in' under good officers.
Trooper Breakwell also responded. He was greatly pleased with the hardiness of his reception at home at Metz and Hillgrove. That day had quite made up for what he had gone through in South Africa, where he and Seymour had not gone as volunteers but to better themselves; however, when the war broke out and the call to duty came, they both responded; he joined the South African light horse, and was proud to wear their plume that day. Seymour and he had been comrades, though in different regiments. They would be ready again at any moment to respond to the call. He wished the boys that were now going good luck and again thank those remaining behind for their hearty reception.
Three cheers were given for the volunteers, when dancing was resumed and refreshments were introduced."
Hillgrove Guardian 2 February 1901
Notes from Metz"Patriotism is still running high in our midst. Trooper Breakwell returned home from South Africa on Friday, and a warm welcome awaits him, but owing to the sad news of the death of her Majesty the Queen the reception is somewhat restricted.
Trooper Thomas Breakwell returned home on Friday last and was the recipient of a very warm welcome by the residents of Metz. Trooper Breakwell left here some time before the war was declared and was doing well on the Rand. Like many of the others who left he took up arms when the war broke out and join the South African light horse. He served as a stretcher bearer at the memorable Spion Kop; afterwards he went into the ranks and served right through until his departure. He brought back many relics of the war. Quite a little army met Trooper Breakwell outside the town and escorted him in. It was quite an unusual sight to see the number of men, women and children, who assembled in front of the post office, where the reception committee awaited him. Mr O'Shannessy, on behalf the residents, read an address of welcome to him and on behalf the residents extended a hearty welcome, congratulating him on his return after a long and arduous service to his country. Mr McNamara on behalf the Odd Fellows, welcomed Trooper Breakwell home. Mr Finney addressed those present and call for three hearty cheers for Trooper Breakwell, the same recognition being given the Troopers Seymour and Brown who were present. Trooper Breakwell responded and thanked his old friends for the honour they had done him, expressing his pleasure at being home once more. Trooper Seymour and Brown also returned thanks."e;
Trooper Breakwell served at Spion Kop, Modderspruitt, Nardenfeldt, and Colenso amongst others.
Service and life after the Boer War: He is believed to have returned to Australia on the SS Damascus in January 1901. He worked in Northern NSW and at the time of his death was in the Bellingen area.
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Annette Crews, Fishermans Paradise NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Grand daughter
© New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum Incorporated ABN 94 630 140 881
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