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In this talk Mr. J.I. Goldsmith talks about the Boer War and describes some of his own experiences in the war. He first gives a brief history of the war and the involvement of Australian and New Zealand colonial forces.
He then speaks about his own experience. He tried to sign up but was turned down as he was only 18. [It seems he joined up from Australia.] He paid his own fare to Capetown and joined up with the Railway Pioneer Regiment and became a dispatch rider. He was on guard duty at the peace negotiations. He remained in South Africa for ten years after peace and then came to New Zealand and eventually became president of the New Zealand South African War Veterans Association. As many as 500 veterans have attended their annual conferences and there are still about 1000 members throughout New Zealand.
An unidentified broadcaster then asks him for any reminiscences about his experiences in South Africa. On 13 August 1901 he was captured by DeWett's men and questioned. He was stripped and sent off to find the British column at about 4.30pm. He walked all night n the bitter cold until he was arrested by the British and Argyll Regiment until the established he wasn't a Boer spy.
On 14 November 1901 he was after De Wett with Colonel Remington's column. A skirmish took place near Villagedorp. Their CO was attacked by 350 of the enemy and Major Fisher and eight other men including himself were wounded. He was shot in the leg and couldn't move. He had a Bible in his pocket which he brought with him from Australia.
He tells some other stories about 'Tommy' soldiers who could not be taught to ride.