Hartebeesfontein, South Africa. c.1901. Elaborately carved headstone marking the grave of 560 Trooper John S. Hesketh, 4th Victorian (Imperial) Contingent, killed in action February 18, 1901. |
a u s t r a l i a & n e w z e a l a n d a r m y c o r p s |
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Trooper John Smith Hesketh was my great uncle. He was my father's uncle and was born May 10, 1878 in Allansford, VIC. He was aged 22 when killed in action. He was a farm-hand, one of eleven children and single. His father, Martin, died two months after him on April 18, 1901. I should point out that my grandfather was aged 51 when my father was born. |
Hartebeesfontein was the scene of a battle between Boer commando and Lord Methuen's forces in the Anglo Boer War on February 18, 1901. Before and after this, it was a farm that changed hands on various occasions. The eventual owner, H. F. Moller, subdivided the land for a village, which was then proclaimed a farm. |
The inscription on the tombstone states that Trooper Hesketh was a member of A Squadron, Australian Imperial Regiment. The Australian Imperial Regiment had been broken up April 8, 1900. |
Boer War : 1899-1902 South Africa |
