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Hi All,

By way of introduction, I'm Dave C, grandson of Boer War and WW1 veteran Thomas Wallbank (1873-1959)

I had an inkling from his WW1 record that Thomas was somehow active in the Boer war, but no details had emerged. Then while tidying up a relative uncovered a bible presented to Thomas on the opening of the Princess Christian Hospital, Pinetown, Natal. From that it was possible for a mere amateur like myself to make some headway on the story. I've found the Steve A Watt article, a couple of bits in the newspapers e.g. "Daily Sketch", his journeys to and from Durban, references to his medals in WA100/225 and a few low quality images from the period.

There are tantalising hints that there may be more to find, e.g... Thomas's journey on the Assaye 28th Feb - 28th March 1900 is detailed in The Boston Guardian and Lincolnshire Independent newspaper 19th May 1900, the account headed “A Bostonian at War” includes attempted suicides and other goings on during this journey. Interestingly it states “All the ambulance men were photographed in a group for production in the “War Illustrated” papers (“Black and White” etc.)”. I don't know what "War Illustrated is, but it's not the "The War Illustrated" as in WW1 or WW2. I'd be beyond stunned if that photo exists, turns up and shows Thomas, but I've no idea how to go about looking for it!

I wonder if material concerning the hospital exists, e.g. patients arriving/leaving and their conditions or the day-to-day experiences. Perhaps in the Natal Mercury (not online as far as I'm aware).

Thanks for reading
I do tend to go on a bit!
Dave C

Images of Thomas's Bible attached for anyone curious!

Hello Dave C
Welcome to the forum, many thanks for sharing your information.

Medal Roll WO 100/ 125
537 T Wallbank St John's Ambulance Brigade QSA 1 clasp Natal
Medal Roll dated 15th July 1901 Pinetown Bridge.
Remarks Column- To Hospital ship Simla 16th August 1900
Roll Signature Major Moir RAMC
Commanding 13th Stationary Hospital.
Regards
Dave F

DaveC1899 wrote: Hi All,
"...in the “War Illustrated” papers (“Black and White” etc.)”. "
I do tend to go on a bit!

Dave C,

Thank you for the photos of the bible. Very interesting.

I do note you mentioning some period publications. There are a number of scanned copies of the Black & White publication on this Forum. You can access them via the Main Menu, (upper left of the page) under the topic Books.

It may be worth paging through these, you just never know if you may come across the photo...

Good luck