| Accession Number | PR04995 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | 1 wallet: 1cm |
| Object type | Letter, Document |
| Maker |
Bartlett, Frederick William |
| Place made | At sea, South Africa: Cape Colony, Cape Town |
| Date made | 1900; 1902 |
| Access | Open |
| Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. | AWM371 90/1538 |
| Conflict |
South Africa, 1899-1902 (Boer War) |
| Copying Provisions | Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required. |
Bartlett, Frederick William
Description
Collection relating to the military service in South Africa (Boer War) of 1490 Private (Pte) Frederick William Bartlett who served with the 5th Victorian (Mounted Rifles) Contingent. Collection comprises two original letters dated 3 March 1900 and 8 March 1900, written by Pte Bartlett to his mother, Anna Dare Bartlett, as well as his original Certificate of Discharge dated 6 May 1902. Both letters were written whilst he was aboard ship going to South Africa. The first describes the conditions on ship, his decision to take out life insurance, and a humourous anecdote of the time he was imprisoned for 96 hours after falling asleep on guard duty. The second letter recounts the rough seas, sleeping on deck, and having fallen after slipping on the wet deck. The troopship had arrived at Cape Town, however due to an outbreak of the plague they were not allowed off the ship straight away. He describes the method of buying fruit from sellers on the pier through the port hole of the boat, and signs this letter 'I remain your brave soldier son'.