State Library of South Australia

Nelson [BRG 216/12/11] • Photograph

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Summary

Black and white cabinet photograph of Nelson, the South Australian regiment mascot during the Boer War. Inscription reads '"Nelson" S.A. Regimental Pet, Transvaal War'. Photograph by London Picture Framing and Photo Company, 150 Rundle Street, Adelaide.

Restrictions

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Physical description

1 photograph : black and white; 8.9 x 13.4 cm, on mount 10.9 x 16.9 cm.

Dates / Publication details

Approximately 1900

Photographer

London Picture Framing and Photo Company, Adelaide

Collection

Part of Walter Buxton Bruce Collection.

Subject

South African War, 1899-1902.
Dogs war use.
Dogs -- South Australia -- Adelaide.
Australia -- Armed Forces -- Mascots.

Catalogue record

Return to catalogue

Historical information

Nelson was the Newfoundland pet dog of the 1st Contingent to the Boer War. He was taken with his owner, Private Arthur Edge, with the 1st Contingent which left Port Adelaide for South Africa on 2 November 1889, returning to South Australia on 30 November 1900. On their return Nelson was quarantined from mid-December. In September 1901 Nelson was lent to the National Memorial Committee by Mr G J F Parsons, touring the Northern Districts until mid-December 1900 to mid-June 1901, and became the 1st Contingent's regimental mascot. Lance-Corporal W Rust, a member of the first South Australian Transvaal contingent, wrote: 'Nelson has been in the thickest of the fighting, and has also experienced the novelty of being a prisoner of war in the hands of the Boers. He was captured on 13 February, but on 5 March escaped. We were on the tramp when he returned. McWilliams, of the West Australians, and our Sergeant Laycock found him returning in the direction of Colesberg, and escorted him back to the company. Needless to relate, Nelson received an ovation from his 'comrades-in-arms'. We have learnt to love the noble animal, and his absence put a dampener on us all. Our company was offered 50 pounds for Nelson at De Aar, but as money would not buy him, the liberal offer was politely refused. The Colesberg people said the Boers held our pet as a great prize, and decorated him with the colors of the Orange Free State, but he discarded their old rag for the dear old Union Jack. He richly deserves a war medal after displaying such intense loyalty to England'.

Digitisation information

Date

11/08/2014

Format

image/tiff

Resolution

8,166 x 5,371 pixels (43.9 MP)

Size

131.60 MB

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