Brockett, Thomas (Private, b.1871 - d.?)

Collection relating to the South Africa War (Boer War) service of 162 Private Thomas Brockett, 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, South Africa, 1901-1902.

Collection consists of:

- 1 x studio portrait of Private Brockett in Queensland Imperial Bushmen attire, on 'Tosca' embossed matt board;

- 1 x black, faux-leather covered notebook, kept as a diary spanning the period 17 May to 14 August 1901. The diary largely discusses time spent in the Mpumalanga area. During this period, several skirmishes with Boers are noted, however a majority of the entries relate to the rounding up and capture of livestock. Also included are very frequent mentions of work done alongside New Zealand units. Also in the diary is a dried sprig of an unidentified plant;

- 1 x letter dated 11 November 1901 written by Private Brockett to his sister. In the letter, he is very critical of his former commander, Lord Kitchener, under whom he states that the troops were very unhappy and almost always on half rations. The letter also discusses the welfare of his father, some brief details of a skirmish, and family affairs such as asking his sister to find him a wealthy widow for him to marry on his return to Australia;

- 1 x image of a man (likely Private Brockett) bathing in a river;

- 1 x pay statement for Private Brockett's service in South Africa, dated 22 July 1902; and

- 1 x certificate of discharge dated 23 June 1902;