1900 - Extract from an account of the siege of Elands River Camp, by Lieutenant Abercrombie.
Wednesday, 8th.—Early in the morning the Boers sent in a white flag. They wished us to send out medicine to Lieutenant Collins, one of our officers who was wounded when the Boers attacked the relieving force. We did so; they took the medicine, however, before we got far outside, and our cart returned. Day quiet but for sniping. Lieutenant Zouch and 10 men made a night attack on an adjacent farm, and took the man whom they reckoned had been sniping prisoner, also secured 14 large loaves of bread which had just been baked, doubtless for the Boers.
Glen Innes Examiner, Friday 14th December 1900
1901 - A 'welcome home' and presentation for John Thomas, 4th Victorian Contingent, at Anderson's Creek.
....A concert and dance took place in the Mechanics' Hall on Thursday evening, 8th inst., to welcome back and present a testimonial to Trooper J. B. Thomas. Mr. Henry Squires was voted to the chair. The chairman read a communication from Captain Quick, of the local rifle club, very much regretting his inability to attend on account of severe illness. . . .
....Mr. C. A. Blair then called upon Trooper Thomas, and in a very able speech stated that Mr. Thomas had left his home and country to fight for the British flag. He had safely returned a credit to himself and a honor to his native place. He then presented him with a gold locket, suitably inscribed, amidst long and continuous cheering. Trooper Thomas then stated that they landed at Beira, then went on to Bamboo Creek, Umtali, Marandellas, Fort Charles, Victoria; thence against the Matabeles, then to Bulawayo, etc, to Magersfontein; after that chasing the Boers. Most of these places were fever-stricken, and many of his companions succumbed. He thanked them all for their very kind reception and for the present. Mr. W. Lupton, of the Anderson's Creek Hotel, an old officer of the 60th Imperial Rifles, who has seen much active service, then made a short speech, when he depicted some of his own reminiscences, and said that no one but those who had participated in war knew the trials and hardships they had to experience. Trooper Thomas had successfully come out of them and returned safe and sound, and should be honored by all.
....After the cheering had subsided, the concert was resumed . . . The chairman then asked for a vote of thanks to those who had taken part in the affair, which was duly given, and after singing "God Save the King" and giving three cheers for the chairman, the concert, which all through had been received by a crowded house with the greatest enthusiasm, ended.
The Evelyn Observer, Friday 16th August 1901
Both Anderson's Creek and Warrandyte were used as the town's name until 1909, when it officially became Warrandyte (about 15 miles north-east of the centre of Melbourne). The Mechanics Institute Hall, where Trooper Thomas' welcome home took place, existed between from 1890 to 1928, and then a new hall, still in use, was built on a different site.
warrandytehallarts.asn.au/wmiaa/the-hall
warrandyteheritage.yolasite.com/1839-1899.php
