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Australia

Port Pirie Recorder and North Western Mail (SA: 1898 - 1918) Saturday 26 May 1900

Letters from the Front.

Mr. Bert Cobb has received the following letter from Trooper Frank Bartlett, from Bloemfontein, dated April 30:—

"We arrived here a few days ago, having travelled by road from Norval's Point. We were eight days travelling, and there were several thousand of us together.   Most of the time we were guarding a very large transport, most of which was taken from Cronje. There was about three miles of trains, a mob of 1,000 mules, and 500 fat cattle. We passed through some very fine   country, with any amount of feed. We were expecting the Boers to have a go at us every night, but they did not "come on." We got word one day that they intended blowing up a bridge ahead of us during the night, so about 500 of our troops had to hurry on and guard the bridge. The Boers, however, did not put in an appearance, so we were spared the unpleasant necessity of doing for a few of them.

This town has a population of about 10,000 ordinarily, but a great number of its inhabitants have gone away since the war. The town is now occupied by the British, who are   making things hum. Bloemfontein is rather a pretty town, and has some splendid buildings in it. Parliament House is a fine place, and will be the residence of Lord Roberts while he is here.

This war is simply wonderful. You could not form the least idea of the tremendous extent of operations and the amount of work being done by the British troops.

Lord Roberts is concentrating all the troops he can spare around   here, and at present we have about 80,000 camped round and about, and you can imagine it is a great sight. It is intended to concentrate 110,000   before our advance is made, which will be in a few days, and then we expect there will be a big fight, as the Boers are only 15 miles away. They are, holding the waterworks and reservoir, and think they are doing a great stroke, but are slipped up, as a few wells around here easily supply all our wants. The Boers hold a strong position, and will take a bit of worrying, and we will shift them all right. I am getting on first rate. Colonel Gordon, who came over with us, has been attached to Lord Roberts's staff, and as soon as we   arrived here I was told the Colonel wanted to see me, so I reported myself to him, and was informed I had act as his orderly. I left the camp a few days ago and came into town where all the officers are staying. I have to ride about with the Colonel wherever he goes, so am all amongst the Lords, Generals, and Colonels. I have still got my own mare that took with me from Port Germein, and she is looking splendid. I will have   a better chance now to get her in good nick. I had a very good job on the gun, but will get more pay in my present billet. The Colonel is a fine fellow, and I was pleasantly sur- prised at getting the appointment.

I do not know where I will be going to now, but will have some good chances to see life, I expect.

There are 800 in the Hospital at De Aar, and they are sending them away from here every day. Funerals are plentiful, continually passing down the main street.

There are a lot of prisoners here, and another batch was brought in yesterday. 

To-day (Good Friday) there is to be a great review of all the troops, and there is great excitement amongst the hundreds of officers in town. Lord Roberts wants to inspect the soldiers before they make a start out on the warpath again. It is going to be a great sight, and I am in a hurry to finish this in time for the mail, and be off. 

I saw Tom Gliemann the other day. My word, he has altered a lot, but is looking well and jolly.

We get it pretty rough sometimes; no food occasionally, and at the best hard biscuits and Bulli meat in tins (tin dog, you know); but I am glad to say I am in the best of health and enjoying myself O.K. I will fare better now. Good-bye, old boy. — F. Bartlett. 

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article95435238

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931) Wednesday 9 January 1901

DEATHS.

BARTLETT.—On the 26th December, 1900, at Pretoria, Trooper Francis Bartlett, aged 28, youngest son of the late William and Jane Bartlett, of Port Germein, and dearly loved brother of Mrs. C. Lindsay, Mrs. A. D. LeCornu, Mrs. A. W. Mudge, Lydia Bartlett, William, Edmund, and Herbert Bartlett.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4811354

Francis BARTLETT was born on 24th January, 1871 in Grace Plains, South Australia

His parents were William BARTLETT & Jane SANTO