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Frank Hamlet Lavarack

Trooper, Menne’s Scouts – Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal with Transvaal clasp to 252 Tpr. F. Lavarack, Menne’s Scouts

Frank Lavarack was born in Pietermaritzburg in the Colony of Natal on 10 November 1883. He was a small man, at 5 feet in height, when he attested for service with Menne’s Scouts in the Anglo Boer war on 25 June 1901. At just over 17 years of age he had already completed his rudimentary schooling and was a Carpenter by trade.

His attestation papers confirmed that he had grey eyes, dark brown hair and no marks on his body. His next of kin he provided as his father of 463 Smith Street, Durban. The same papers confirmed that he had been assigned no. 252 and the rank of Trooper with Menne’s Scouts and that he was deployed as an orderly. What had decided him, at such a young age, to take up arms against an enemy he had almost no knowledge of? His decision was probably influenced by the fact that his father, Ernest, had served with the Railway Pioneer Regiment earlier in the war before being discharged, medically unfit, on 13 April 1900 after five months service.

But who were Menne’s Scouts? They were raised and commanded by Major T Menne, who had seen service in the first six months of the war with the Natal Colonial Scouts in Zululand, and afterwards with Bethune's Mounted Infantry, and thus had gained great experience in the field. The nucleus of the corps was his own—'G'—squadron of the Colonial Scouts although there is no indication that Lavarack had served with them.

This corps did excellent and often very daring work in the Transvaal, chiefly in the neighbourhood of the Natal and Delagoa Railways during the second phase of the war. Night expeditions were numerous, and as the force employed was generally very slender, the true qualities of scouts had to be exhibited.

'Linesman', in his 'Words by an Eyewitness' (Blackwood: 1901), gives a very graphic picture of a night expedition and fight in the darkness, the actors in which on the British side were Menne's Scouts.

Along with Morley's Scouts, Menne's Scouts did much to protect the all-important railway communication between Natal and Pretoria, as well as to keep the Commander-in-Chief informed of the movements and strength of the enemy in the south and south-east of the Transvaal. The special work of the corps was sometimes particularly dangerous. In November 1901 Menne's Scouts did the mounted work for the Leicestershire Regiment while the latter built the Ermelo-Standerton blockhouse line.

That they saw their share of the action there can be no doubt. The Globe of August 2, 1901 under the banner – Capture of a Laager, 7 Boers killed – carried the following report,

“Menne’s Scouts successfully attacked a laager at Joubert’s Farm on the night of 29th ult. They completely broke up the laager, capturing nine prisoners, 200 cattle and 60 horses. The British had no casualties. The Boers lost seven killed and few wounded. ”

The Gloucestershire Echo of September 18, 1901 reported that, “Menne’s Scouts lost two men killed and four wounded in a sharp fight with 200 Boers at Platrand on the 13th instant. The enemy’s casualties were about nine.”

The Mid Sussex Times of October 22nd, 1901 carried a far more detailed report,

“On Friday 13 September last Menne’s Scouts sent out their usual pickets from Platrand to their various positions. One picket, having arrived at its appointed post on De Wet’s farm, early discerned a number of Boers lying in wait for another picket due at Observation Hill (local name). Word was immediately sent back to camp and 35 of the Scouts turned out. The Boers were soon cleared out of their position, and were followed up.

When the Scouts were some five miles from camp, however the tables were turned, and the small British force found itself within the half-moon of some 300 Boers. The Scouts now endeavoured to retire, fighting the while, while the Boers did their utmost to cut them off. The Scouts only gun jammed after two shots, but they kept their assailants off on both sides, though far outnumbered.

At last however they had to make a bolt for it, the fire of the enemy becoming exceedingly hot, and at very short range. Those of the Scouts whose horses had been shot hid themselves, and came in after dark with their arms complete, one having lain hidden amongst some rushes while the Boers watered their hoses a few yards of him. Menne’s Scouts lost 2 killed and 4 wounded, while they reckoned to have accounted for 18 or 19 Boers.”

The corps was disbanded at Pietermaritzburg on 1st January 1902 but Lavarack and many of his comrades had taken their discharge earlier – in his case on 24 December 1901.

Lavarack took no further part in the war returning to his civilian occupation. At St. Mary’s Church in Greyville, Durban on 21 December 1912 he wed Ethel Maud Miller, a Ladysmith girl. He was recorded as being a Joiner by trade on the marriage certificate.

Nothing much is known about Frank Lavarack hereafter – he passed away at Addington Hospital in Durban on 24 May 1958 at the age of 73 and was survived by his wife and their only child, Edward Ernest Lavarack. His residence at the time of his death was 33 Jameson Road, Puntan’s Hill, Durban.

Don't you just love research! New evidence has come to light which shows that Frank Lavarack, contrary to his claim that he was born in 1883, was actually born in 1884 (same day and month) - this courtesy of new KZN Vital Records that have been added to Familysearch.

A small difference one would say but, it means that he was a youthful 15 years and 7 months old when he attested with Menne's Scouts for service.

This is not meant to be a social commentary but, looking around me at the 15 year olds in my town, I can't quite see them making the grade in the Boer War or any war for that matter....



Regards

Rory