A Soldier's Story : The Boer War to Beersheba

A story of my maternal grandfather, James Cue Ryan, who worked as a journalist in South Africa in the years leading up to the Boer War. In 1899 he returned to Australia and his job as a journalist at the Maffra Spectator and the Walhalla Chronicle, both papers being founded by his father. In 1900 he enlisted in the 4th Victorian Contingent sailing to South Africa in May 1900. He served 12 months returning to Australia in 1901. In 1902 he re-enlisted with the Commonwealth Light Horse and served till the conclusion of hostilities. In 1915 he turned 46, told the army he was 43 and enlisted in the 4th Light Horse and saw service on Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine where he was a member of the Charge at Beersheba. Fortunately in three wars he did not receive any wounds although was honourably discharged in 1918 medically unfit as result of dysentery. This book is taken from his writings to the Maffra Spectator and the Walhalla Chronicle with extra notes by his grandson and co-writer Peter Kemp.