Folding hoof pick : Private H Turner, New South Wales Army Medical Corps

Place Africa: South Africa
Accession Number REL39565
Collection type Heraldry
Object type Personal Equipment
Physical description Steel
Maker Berkeley & Co.
Date made 1899
Conflict South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War)
Description

Steel folding hoof pick. The hook-shaped pick is held by a pin in a loop handle, and swivels open or closed. The pick is held in either position by two sets of lugs on the handle. The handle is impressed with a broad arrow symbol, and the pick is marked 'BERKELEY&Co 1899'

History / Summary

Related to the service of 369 Private Harold Turner in South Africa from 1900 to 1901 as a member of the Second Contingent of the New South Wales Army Medical Corps. He served as a horse driver with the contingent, which embarked for South Africa on 17 January 1900. They arrived at East London, Cape Colony the following month, and travelled to Sterkstroom, where they were attached to the column commanded by Lieutenant General W F Gatacre.

The practice of distributing medical staff across several units means it is unclear exactly where Turner served in South Africa, but the clasps on his medal indicate that he saw service in the Cape Colony and Orange Free State campaigns, as well as at Johannesburg in May 1900 and at the battle of Diamond Hill in June of the same year.

It is also unclear exactly when Turner returned to Australia. Part of the second New South Wales Contingent returned to Sydney on 8 December 1900, and the rest of the Contingent arrived 8 January 1901. He went on to serve in the militia.