Pa said, ‘He’d need to be with that many kids to look after. Nine’s bad enough.’ Then he frowned and said, ‘Hey! How come you read that?’
Ma said, ‘Because I can read now, that’s why. And I can write. Kitty’s been teaching me,’ and she put her arm round me.
‘Well I never,’ said Pa shaking his head like he could hardly believe it. ‘I’m real proud of you, Ma,’ he said and give her a kiss on the cheek to prove it.
Ma beamed. ‘Maybe you should start bringing home two Heralds from now on Pa, one for each of us,’ she said.
14th July, Saturday
Another letter come from Bertie today. It must have been written in June on account of it was after some battle they was in back then and the mail takes a month to come from South Africa.
Dear Kitty,
I’m over the typhoid, only I make extra sure of any water now before filling my water bottle when we come to a river. The food’s terrible still and it’s a wonder the army don’t kill us all off that way. There’s times I long for a plate of Ma’s scones and I’ve even dreamt of her rabbit stew, only to wake up and find there’s only bully beef and biscuits for breakfast same as usual. I don’t think the British realised just how big this country is and how long it would take supply wagons to get through to us what with oxen and mules pulling them.
We’ve just come through some heavy fighting at Diamond Hill. There were Australians on the left of the column as we rode in this valley and not much firing at first. Only soon as we come out the other side, the Boers start firing in earnest. Their big guns were all on the hills around us. Our lot were off their horses quick smart and climbing up this hill to fire back. Only it wasn’t nearly as high as the Boers’ and by this time some of their snipers were taking aim from lower down. All the time their shells were pounding us and the horses were dropping dead—some in agony we didn’t have time to go back and shoot. We couldn’t get away ourselves.
Then some of us charged the Boojers hoping to capture their guns, but the firing was so heavy we were forced back. It went on till nightfall without let up. Then our big guns were brought up. Only by then some of the Boers had got clean away and the rest were still firing for all their worth. So we charged again. This time New Souths, West Australians and 6th Mounteds, riding across this open ground so far out in front the British thought we were Boers escaping and started firing at us from both sides. It’s a miracle we weren’t shot by our own side.
Anyway, soon as we reached the Boers’ hill, we dismounted and started climbing. Terribly steep it was, but the rocks gave some shelter from the firing up top, only the closer we got the more the bullets poured down. Then next thing there’s these two officers yelling at us to move forward. Standing up, no cover at all. We couldn’t believe it. Suddenly Lieutenant Harriott cops a bullet in his thigh that shatters it. The other, Drage, gets it in the leg and head and dies almost straightaway. Harriott was in terrible pain but all we could do was leave him with a bit of shelter round till we could get him back down to hospital. He died next day on the operating table. Lieutenant Drage and he were really good officers, popular with the blokes, so we all feel down about it. Harriott in particular was good enough to be asked by Lord Roberts to join his personal staff. Such a waste.
Glad to hear none of you came down with plague. Sorry about the house. Still, if it means you get something better, that’s not too bad.
Love to all the family, from your trooper
Bertie.
15th July, Sunday
Mabel’s birthday today and she got given the day off. Ma met up with her at St Mary’s and bring her back here. Then in the arvo Dolly come over with a big tin of jam and Ma and some of the other ladies made scones for everyone. Then just as Mabel were leaving Ma slipped her five shillings to spend for herself.
I showed Bertie’s letter to Reggie. I didn’t think Bertie would mind since Reggie’s always wanting to know where Bertie is now and if he’s been in any fighting. Boys are always interested in guns. Fred and Artie are the same.
16th July, Monday
The government wants to take back all the land round Dawes and Millers Point. They say it’s to make it easier getting from Darling Harbour to the city. Only it means more houses coming down as if enough haven’t come down already. And streets’ll be moved.
Artie wanted to know how come they can move a whole street. I said if houses come down both sides there’s no street left so you can move it anywhere. The government says it’ll look much better after. Newer too, only Ma says we liked some of the funny old houses, even if they was dirty and run-down. Now it feels like we’re moving somewhere only staying put at the same time.
Maisie’s other tooth come through this week. Nice and straight and Ma says that’s a blessing. Only now she got a lower one loose.
17th July, Tuesday
Dolly’s heard back from the matron at Sydney Hospital and she has to go and see her sometime next month.
18th July, Wednesday
It’s official now, Pa says. Lord Hopetoun is going to be the Governor-General. He’s sailing from London soon and will arrive in Sydney in December. Only the Premier of South Australia wants to start the Commonwealth early on the 1st of October, even if Lord Hopetoun isn’t here. But you can’t have a Federation without a Governor-General, can you? Lady Hopetoun’s coming and the children, except the eldest son Lord Hope. I’ll bet he got teased at school with a name like that. He’s staying in England for a year. Then he’ll come out with their carriages and all their horses. I wonder how many he’s got but?
Mr Oliver has two more places to look at then he has to write a report to give to the Premier. It must be hard finding somewhere in New South Wales that’s big enough and still 100 miles from Sydney. Members of parliament would like it closer, only it’s got to be 100 miles.
19th July, Thursday
There’s been no-one come down with it today. That’s good.
Somebody’s written a letter to the Herald saying we should think up a good name for the capital city. Something short and easy to say only dignified. Like Hopetoun. But Pa says what happens when Lord Hopetoun’s gone and nobody can remember why they called it that. Besides Hopetoun sounds real English to me.
20th July, Friday
No plague today either.
Taylor’s jam factory, that’s rival to Dolly’s, have an advert in today. They’re giving away free pictures of all the army top brass with every pot of jam. You can have Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener and Colonel Baden-Powell up on your wall. Only Ma said what would she want them for? She can find plenty of things to upset her without having them staring down at her. Besides, she said it wouldn’t be fair to Dolly, specially after I won her factory’s competition and she can always get jam for us a bit cheaper.
21st July, Saturday
I couldn’t believe it today. Reggie Cook said he were thinking of maybe joining up.
I said, ‘What for?’
He said, ‘To fight the Boojers of course.’
But I told him he were too young. Only he says buglers and drummers go at 14 and he could easy put his age up again, like clean-up, because he’s tall.
So I said, ‘Reggie Cook, I’ve never heard nothing so silly in all my life. Besides I got enough to worry about with Bertie over there without having to worry about you too.’ Then he give me this funny little smile only it seemed to shut him up.
Maisie’s worried and worried that tooth of hers. She keeps pushing it forwards and back. Now she says it’s sore. And Ma says she’s not surprised, to leave it alone. I can remember having a tooth like that flapping in me mouth and driving me mad so I wiggled it till it finally come out.
22nd July, Sunday
It’s been a week now since the last person come down with plague and nobody’s died of it since the 29th of June.
We’ve had so much rain lately they can’t do any clean-up. They got as far as the bit between Abercrombie Street and Newtown Road. Only there’s been a lot of ra
ts found out along Burwood Road, so they’re not done there yet.
The paper says 63,464 rats been killed since March.
24th July, Tuesday
An Australian’s won the Victoria Cross. It’s our first. He’s Captain Neville Howse and Pa says he’s a doctor as well. This trumpeter fell off his horse wounded. Captain Howse galloped over to get him. All the time the Boers kept on firing at them. Captain Howse’s horse got shot from under him, only he still managed to bandage the man up and carry him all the way to safety on his back and look after him. That was real brave of him.
25th July, Wednesday
There’s no-one got it today either and thirteen people have been let out of quarantine.
George come over this evening and says he’s been to see Lily and told her he can’t help having to work so hard in the shop what with plague and them that busy he don’t have time to scratch hisself. Only it won’t last for ever he says. And in the meantime he’s managed to put a bit of money aside. Soon as he can take some time off, they can be married if it’s still all right with her. It seems Lily said yes. So they’re ENGAGED. I’m that excited. So is Maisie. Only Ma had to sit down when she heard. She got such a shock. She always said she thought we’d get married in line: Bertie, then George, only Bertie’s never been around in one place long enough to get hisself a lady friend to step out with.
27th July, Friday
No cases since last Sunday now.
Maisie lost her tooth. Finally. In the end Ma had to tie a piece of cotton round it and yank it out. Pa suggested a big piece of string wound round it and the other end tied to a door knob that somebody shuts sudden. That were too difficult as Maisie wouldn’t stand still.
26th July, Thursday
Somebody’s written a letter in now saying we should call the capital city Wentworth on account of William Charles Wentworth that give us our first constitution. Pa says it’s a nice idea and at least he’s Australian only it don’t sound Australian. But at least it’s better than Hopetoun.
29th July, Sunday
George and Lily come to see us today and everybody at Ragged School give them a big welcome. Most of them’s known George since he were little but Lily come from over Balmain way so they don’t know her. They said how lucky George is, she being so pretty and all. She’s what Ma calls ‘slender’ and just like her name with pale gold hair piled up on top.
They don’t want to get married straightaway but. She wants to get her linen and that together and they’ll wait till Bertie gets back so he can be George’s best man. It’ll give them time to save up a bit more too. But best of all Lily don’t have any sisters, only four brothers. So she says me and Maisie can be her bridesmaids. Nothing fancy cos it won’t be a big wedding, just best dresses. Only Ma says she got time to put a bit aside and get us something pretty to wear.
30 July, Monday
I should have said touch wood cos now somebody else’s died of it at North Head.
31st July, Tuesday
Western Australia’s finally voted YES! They had a referendum and all the miners voted as well and this time there was more people said yes than no.
1st August, Wednesday
Today were Maisie’s birthday, the same day as the horses. Only Maisie wants to know how come horses get to have theirs on the one day. And why’s she got to have hers on the same day anyway when I get to share mine with Queen Victoria? But Ma said she didn’t plan it that way and if Maisie don’t shush up she won’t be getting a present. That shut her up quick smart.
Ma and Pa give her a new dolly to make up for Topsy being spoilt even though Maisie won’t let Topsy out of her sight since we come to Ragged School. Fred and Artie give her an all day sucker each and I give her a hanky I sewed a bunch of flowers on.
2nd August, Thursday
Queen Victoria’s son’s died. Not the Prince of Wales, her second son who’s Prince Alfred. He’s also the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke of Saxe Coburg-Gotha. I wonder if he has to put all that down the bottom of a letter every time he writes one? He was 56, which is old and the paper said he died of a paralysed heart, only he had cancer of the tongue as well.
There’s been no plague now for a fortnight.
I wonder if Lord Hopetoun’s going to land at Botany Bay like Captain Cook did?
3rd August, Friday
Lots of families have left Ragged School now. Specially those as only had their houses cleaned not pulled down. They had to wait for the smell of carbolic to go and for everything to dry out from the steam cleaning and buy new bedding and all that. Now the only ones left are families waiting for new houses to be built.
5th August, Sunday
Artie’s got chicken pox. There’s been a few kids round has it. Me and Fred had it ages ago so we didn’t catch it. Artie don’t seem too bothered by it but. He’s still running around and out and about in the billycart. With all the kids cooped up lately as Ma says, you got to expect it.
7th August, Tuesday
As well as clean-up gangs in the streets, there’s been scavengers paid to get rubbish out the harbour as well. They’ve found 1006 dead rats, 504 dogs, 300 chooks and 279 cats. There’s also been pigs and sheep and other animals in the harbour and more than a hundred pieces of meat. You can imagine what it were like. No wonder you could hardly see the colour of the water for dirt.
8th August, Wednesday
There’s been no-one come down with plague now for three weeks. Touch wood again but. Only there’s still a man very sick with it at North Head. The cemetery there must be nearly full by now with all the people that’s died.
10th August, Friday
Too soon. There’s been another one, someone called William Montague turned up at Sydney Hospital feeling crook, only they got suspicious and sent him off to North Head.
13th August, Monday
Ma saved me this bit from the paper today. There’s a Frenchman with a fancy name, Prince Henri of Orleans, who can skip. At least he took a holiday on board ship and did skipping for exercise. Every morning he got up real early and went up on deck in his pyjamas before the ladies come up.
Only to skip you got to keep your feet together and on ship you got to keep them apart, specially if it’s rolling so you don’t fall over. So somehow he had to skip with his feet apart and together at the same time. Of course it didn’t work. And the rope he had were heavy and covered in tar so he kept hitting hisself with it. Then one day he landed flat on his back on deck and everyone looking. He were that embarrassed lying there in his pyjamas, he give up skipping all together.
It’s ages since I’ve done any skipping. Every time I go looking for my rope I find Maisie or one of the boys is using it so it don’t seem much point.
14th August, Wednesday
Dolly had a meeting with the matron at Sydney Hospital today. She were there for ages, she said, with the matron asking her questions. She wanted to know if Dolly just liked the idea of being a nurse and maybe the uniform and putting flowers in vases. Only Dolly said she knew it were really long hours and scrubbing floors and scouring bedpans and she didn’t mind hard work. And she didn’t mind having to live in, and anyway, anything was better than sticking labels on jars. She told the matron even if she didn’t get to pass the exam she still wanted to try and the matron said she’d think about it and let Dolly know.
16th August, Thursday
Maisie come down with chicken pox today and Eddy yesterday. Reggie had it when I did so he’s all right. But Maisie’s fair covered in them. All over her chest, poor little mite, and back and some on her face as well. She keeps grizzling on account of the itch and Ma’s had to put her hands in socks to stop her from scratching cos she didn’t have no proper mittens. We’ve all told her if she scratches the spots on her face she’ll end up with dents that’ll be there for ever and she won’t look nearly so pretty. That just makes her grizzle all the more. She’s got it much worse than Artie but.
17th August, Friday
There’s been Aust
ralians fighting somewhere in Africa called Elands River. Pa come back from the Herald office and told us. He says they was meant to relieve this town called Rustenburg the Boers were attacking. They hadn’t even got that far when Colonel Baden-Powell tell them to go back again to the camp at Elands River only to make sure the road to Rustenberg were safe to get supplies through.
All the time they could hear the guns booming as the Boers shelled the town. Then suddenly there’s other Boers coming up on all the hills either side firing on the road and horses stampeding all over the place terrified, those that haven’t been killed or injured.
Just then more troopers arrive and somehow they manage to get back to camp. Next day they’re meant to go to Mafeking only during the night the Boers bring in more men and, come daylight, they start firing on the camp. There’s New South Bushmen, Queensland Mounteds and Victorians inside as well as Rhodesians, about five hundred all up, as well as African drivers and Boer families that have surrendered and come in with their horses and cattle. All around the camp there’s 3000 Boers firing on them. They managed to stick it out for thirteen days till finally Lord Kitchener comes riding up with a whole lot more troops and the Boers took off.
Plagues and Federation Page 9