Exploring the Boxer Rebellion through the National Collection
Nobody knows what happened to us, nobody knows or cares
Only those who fought Old Kruger are allowed to put on airs
These lines of an untitled poem written by Able Seaman William Thomas Bertotto following his return from the campaign in China speak of disappointment and discontent. The Boxer Rebellion never captured public attention in Australia like the Boer War. For the majority of the force from Australia the campaign lasted just eight months. Those expecting adventure and opportunities to distinguish themselves in battle were left disappointed on both fronts.
Contingents from the colonies of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia were deployed primarily on policing and guard duties to restore civil order following the suppression of an anti-Christian and anti-imperialistic rebellion by a secretive movement, the Righteous and Harmonious Fists, known by foreigners as the “Boxers”. They served as part of an international force known as the “Eight-Nation Alliance” in a complex and often contentious coalition.
A group portrait of officers and ratings from the New South Wales Naval Contingent pictured with a British Indian soldier and a group of Chinese men in Beijing, c. October 1900–March 1901. (Photographer: unknown)
This series of short articles based on material in the National Collection explores episodes and events involving these contingents during this often-overlooked conflict.
Refer to the list below for further information on collections referenced in these articles and recently digitised collections relating to the Boxer Rebellion.
EXDOC105 – Campbell, Lorne Richard (Major-General, GOC Lines of Communication, China Field Force, 1846–1913)
EXDOC122 – HMCS Protector
3DRL/2180 – Lofts, H. E. (Lieutenant)
3DRL/2181 – Blyth, Bert (Sergeant Major)
3DRL/6218 – Bracegirdle, Leighton Seymour (Rear Admiral)
PR85/020 – Bertotto, William T. (Able Bodied Seaman, Victorian Naval Contingent, SS Salamis)
PR85/047 – Livingstone, Arthur J. (Victorian Naval Contingent, SS Salamis)
PR88/183 – Roberts, Melnotte Arthur (Lieutenant, NSW Naval Contingent)
PR88/212 – Johnston, George Henry (Private, NSW Marine Light Infantry, 1880–1954)
PR01515 – Underwood, Walter (1862–1949)
PR04210 – Turner, John Denzil Etoile (Lieutenant Commander, 1864–1949) and Turner, John George James (Sub-Lieutenant, 1894–1971)
RC00827 – Peking
RC04613 – Rice-paper map of Peking from the Boxer Rebellion, 1900–1901
RC11577.1627 – Map of north-eastern China
RC11577.1642 – Daily Mail map of the war in China