Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William James Herriman volunteered for the Boer War as a Trooper and was invalided back to Australia arriving 28/02/1901 and then discharged. On 15/01/1902 he married Mary Elizabeth Jones and they had 10 children. The 1st of those children Myrtle Sarah Jeanette Herriman married Thomas George Hoare and they were my Grandparents and William James Herriman was my Great Grandfather. - Lesley Squire (nee Hoare) Great-grandaughter 

"WITH THE FIFTH CONTINGENT.   LETTER FROM TROOPER HERRIMAN.

The following letter has been received by a relative at Port Adelaide from Trooper J. A. Herriman, of the Fifth South Australian Imperial Bushmen, and dated Tafel Kop, May 8, 1901:-

"We have had plenty of travelling since we left Kroonstad on Easter Sunday. On our first march we went through to Honning Spruit, and on Easter Monday, the following day, we had our first engagement. There were no casualties except the loss of a few Boer horses. On April 11 we had five men captured and one wounded. The Boers stripped them of everything except clothes and coin, and then said to one of the corporals, 'Good-bye, old chap; better luck next time.' After we left the Vaal River we went back to De Wet's farm, near Kopje Siding, and from there through to Heilbron and Frankport, and there we sighted De Wet's convoy about sunset. We had a slight engagement with him, but, he soon beat a hasty retreat. Next morning a flying column was composed, and we left about 4 o'clock. We must have covered about 40 miles in the day. We came on De Wet again, and treated him to a few 15-pounders and pom-poms. The Boers, however, soon cleared off and we started in pursuit. About 100 of us captured nine waggons with a lot of provisions and a few women. The latter vainly protested that their husbands were only waggon-drivers. We camped at Vrede that night, and made an early start next morning for Tafel Kop, where the Boers thought they had us surrounded. They sent in to see if our officer would surrender. He replied, 'If you want us you better come in and try,' but the Boers were not taking any. We waited for the convoy to come up the same day, and the Boers kept sniping at it all along the road. When it did come within range of the Boers' 15-pounder they opened fire, but our column soon brought the guns into action and repulsed them. They made for a kraal for shelter, but no sooner were they inside than our artillery sent a shell in and blew them to ----.

We have some poultry left here, but it is running rather short owing to other troops having passed this way before us. Our quartermaster Shurman was shot dead at Tafel Kop whilst out looking for some of the mules that escaped. He rode within about 40 yards and did not see them till they shouted "Hands up." He attempted to turn his horse to gallop away when they fired at him. He fell dead, and his horse was shot through the neck. He is the first we have had killed so far. He was a fine fellow and respected foy all. We have had three or four wounded. There are a lot of our contingent, including some of our officers, sick in the hospital with fever and other diseases. We are going through to Standerton and Harrismith, and then I think back to Kroonstad for a spell. Our horses do not stand much knocking about. Most of our corps are riding Boer ponies now. They are very small, but they are hardy." - from the Adelaide Advertiser 20 Jun 1901 (nla.gov.au)

"HERRIMAN.- On February 15, at hospital, William James, dearly beloved hus band of Mary Elizabeth Herriman, of No. 27 Clare street, Portland, leaving  three sons and five daughters; aged 66 years." - from the Adelaide News 15 Feb 1943 (nla.gov.au)

"HERRIMAN.— The friends of the late Mr. William James Herriman are respectfully informed that his funeral will leave his late residence, No. 27 Clare street, Portland, on Tuesday, at 3.30 p.m., for the Cheltenham Cemetery.

WATERSIDE Workers' Federation, Port Adelaide Branch.— Members of the above are requested to attend the funeral of our late member, William James Herriman, which leaves his late residence. No. 27 Clare street, Portland, on Tuesday, at 3.30 p.m., for the Cheltenham Cemetery. R. Whitfield, Secretary.

HERRIMAN.— L.O.O.F., Jervois Lodge, No. 2.— The Bros. are respectfully informed that his funeral will leave his residence, 27 Clare street, Portland, for Cheltenham Cemetery, at 3.30 p.m. Len Waite, Secretary.

SOUTH African War Veterans' Association.— Members are requested to meet at the Cheltenham Cemetery, Tuesday, 16th February, at 3.15 p.m., to attend the funeral of our late Comrade, William James Herriman F. C. Pflaum, Hon. Secretary." - from the Adelaide Advertiser 16 Feb 1943 (nla.gov.au)