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The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931) Friday 8 February 1901

OUR BUSHMEN.

A DISASTROUS FIGHT.

ONE KILLED; FOUR WOUNDED.

His Excellency the Governor has received   a telegram from Sir Alfred Milner, stating that at a fight which occurred at Nitchvaals Hop on February 3, the following casual- ties occurred to members of the South Australian Bushmen's Contingent:—

Killed—Corporal W. Currie (No. 34). 

Dangerously wounded—Lieutenant J. T. Dempsey and Trooper J. Ford (No. 41).

Severely wounded—Trooper C. S. R. Lovelock (No. 80).

Slightly wounded—Corporal J. R. Beck (No. 56).

Corporal Walter Currie was a son of Mr. James Currie, of Franklin-street, a very old resident of South Australia, and had lived in the Birdsville district, Queensland, droving cattle, &c, since boyhood. He was unmarried, about 27 years of age, and an excellent and experienced bushman. At an early date in his experience at the seat of war he showed signs of heroism which won for him admiration amongst his comrades. Dr. F. J. Douglas, writing some months ago, makes appreciative reference to the pluck of the young trooper in connection with an incident near Elands River, in which Lieutenant Collins was injured. The deceased soldier was a brother-in-law of Mr. C. H. Dewhirst, acting secretary to the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4817905

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA: 1895 - 1954) Saturday 4 May 1901

THE LATE CORPORAL CURRIE.

The late Corporal W. J. Currie, of the South Australian Bushmen's Corps, who was killed at Nitralskop on February 3, was the third son of Mr. James Currie, of Adelaide. His courage had gained him the admiration of his comrades, and his name had been mentioned by Lord Roberts for meritorious services. In conveying the sad news of his death to his sister (Mrs. C. W. Wright, of North Adelaide), Captain Collins, the officer commanding the South Australian Bushmen's Corps, wrote as follows from Ebenezer, in the Transvaal, on February 4:— "Corporal Currie met his death very bravely, doing his duty to the last, as he had always done it. He was shot in five different, places, and died the same night, suffering apparently little pain. After being shot in so many places he rode about half a mile back before he fell from his horse. The pluck required to accomplish this feat must have been very great.

Every member of the corps mourns his loss very deeply. He was always ready and eager to help and oblige his comrades, and he is and will be very much missed by us all. We buried him to-day at Ebenezer, some seven miles from where he fell. It is but a rough grave, and time does not allow us to erect a stone to his memory. I hope to see that done, however, before we leave South Africa, and I am sure all the men are of the same mind. Lieutenant J. T. Dempsey wrote under date March 23 to his brother:— "In Corporal Currie we lost a true and gallant soldier, and as brave a man as ever carried a rifle. I don't know the address of his people or I would write them. Please convey my heartfelt sympathy in their sad bereavement. One of his acts of gallantry took place on the day that Captain Hubbe met his death at Ottoshoop. Captain Hubbe was riding a fractious horse and lost control of the animal, which bolted into the line of fire. Amidst a perfect hail of bullets Corporal Currie dashed to his rescue and succeeded in controlling the frightened steed, when they were both able to retire under cover. Captain Hubbe thanked him heartily for his heroic con- duct, and shaking hands with him said — 'You will hear more of this.' But ere the evening shadows fell a spent bullet had found its way to the heart of that officer."

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87810111

The Register (Adelaide, SA: 1901 - 1929) Saturday 13 July 1901

THE LATE CPL. CURRIE.

The subjoined letter received by Mr. James Currie, of this city, from Lord Methuen concerning his son, the late Cpl. Currie, shows the estimation in which some of the Australian Bushmen soldiers were held by British generals:— "Dear Sir— We lost a good man and soldier when your son was killed. I did all I could for him, and had arranged to have him in a house with a hospital orderly to nurse him, but he died in the night. We were trekking through to the hills which rim east of Toongs Vryburg, and a reconnoitring party were surprised to some extent, as a woman said there were no Boers near. I   moved the whole family from their house for this lie, as it cost me your son besides   an officer badly wounded and four men. He did not suffer, and told me he did not mind dying for his country. I saw him twice in the afternoon, and he had a very kind, capable medical officer to tend him,   Surgeon-Captain Shanahan. I am glad you have written, for I was anxious to let you know that your son was an exceptionally   good man, liked by all. With every feeling of sympathy with you and his relations in the loss you have all sustained, yours truly, Methuen. L. G, Cg. 1st Division, Mafeking, May 13, 1901."

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56645385

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931) Thursday 4 February 1904

IN MEMORIAM.

CURRIE.—In loving memory of Walter Currie, who was killed in action at Nitralskop, South Africa, February 3, 1901. Inserted by his loving father, James Currie.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4941445