Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Advertiser Adelaide 6th Nov 1900

THE LATE CORPORAL KLAFFER.
The friends of the late Corporal Theodore Julius Klaffer will learn with regret that he died three weeks ago at a hospital in Cape Town. The deceased soldier was a member of the first South Australian Contingent and went through all the hardships incidental to Lord Roberts's trying march up to Pretoria. Corporal Klaffer was the life of the camp, for as he possessed a good voice his vocal services were freely availed of by his comrades during the campaign. Prior to joining the contingent he was a member of the Permanent Artillery and was stationed at Largs Fort for several years. He was born at Lyndoch Valley on February 23, 1875, so that he was not 26 years old. One of his qualifications for being picked to go to the war was that he was a first-class shot. He leaves a widow and one child. Colonel Gordon was greatly shocked when he heard on Monday of Corporal Klaffer's death and he could not realise that the news was true. To ascertain beyond all possible doubt he recommended the Government to send an urgent cable message to Cape Town asking for full particulars or a contradiction. It seems too much to hope that the corporal is still alive, for Private Malone assured Mrs. Klaffer on Monday that he saw her husband after his death, and that Private Duncan was with him when be passed away. But for the crowded state of the vessels the deceased would probably have been in South Australia alive and well. He had recovered from the first attack of fever, and as he was extremely anxious to return home Colonel Gordon promised him that he would make the necessary arrangements for his passage.
There was no room in the steamer chosen, and the corporal reluctantly stayed behind. Colonel Gordon said he should come home on the next steamer, in which, by the way, the colonel was also returning, and at the last minute enquiries as to his whereabouts were instituted so that he should not be disappointed a second time. Why he remained behind the Commandant does not know, but surmises that the doctors thought he was not strong enough to travel just then. The deepest sympathy will be felt for the widow and child, and the other relatives of the deceased. They have the consolation of knowing that he was a good soldier, and risked and lost his life for his Queen and country.

SA Register newspaper - 6th Nov 1900

DEATH OP CORPORAL KLAFFER.
Private R.A. Malone, who returned invalided from South Africa by the steamer Afric on Sunday night, reported the death of Corporal Theodore Klaffer, of the First South Australian contingent, which occurred at the Wynburg No. 1 general hospital on October 11, as a result of pneumonia and complication. Private E. T. Duncan, who returned by the Yarrawonga on Sunday, also reported the death to the military authorities at the staff office. This was the first intimation that the relatives of the deceased had of the sad event, and it came as a great shock, especially to the widow, who is residing on North terrace. Private Malone states that Corporal Klaffer was one of the most popular members of the contingent under Captain Howland, and he was in the fighting line throughout the campaign until after the Imperial forces entered Pretoria. About three months ago Corporal Klaffer was seized with an attack of pneumonia, and was invalided to Bloemfontein and thence to Wynburg. where he died on October 11. The funeral, which took place at the cemetery attached to the Wesleyan Chapel at Wynburg, was largely attended, all of the invalids who were possibly able to pay their last respects to their deceased comrade being present. Some members of the volunteer battalions of the West York-shire Regiment (Prince of Wales Own) acted as pallbearers.