Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The Express and Telegraph (Adelaide, SA: 1867 - 1922) Monday 18 June 1900

DEATH OF AN IMPERIAL BUSHMAN.

TROOPER H. E. PROSSER.

The South Australian soldier who is mentioned in a dispatch to his Excellency as having died at Durban from the effects of a fall from his horse is understood by the Staff Officer to be Trooper H. E. Prosser, of the Imperial Bushmen's Contingent. The deceased was a jeweller, and unmarried, living with his family in Vincent street, Adelaide. The name is given as "Prosper" in the cablegram to his Excellency, but the number (80), and the initials leave no doubt as to his identity. The deceased has a brother—Sergeant H. C. Prosser in the same contingent. The Minister for War has forwarded condolences to the family.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article208926180

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA: 1895 - 1954) Saturday 30 June 1900

THE LATE TROOPER H. E. PROSSER.

The late Trooper H. E. Prosser, whose death took place at Durban on June 12 as the result of a fall from a horse, was a member of the S.A. Imperial Contingent. He was 26 years of age, unmarried, and a jeweller by trade. 

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87801105

South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900) Friday 13 July 1900

THE LATE TROOPER PROSSER.

Mr. W. G. Everett, of Hanson-street, has thoughtfully sent us what is probably one of the last letters that the late Trooper H. E. Prosser wrote. Mr. Everett remarks: —

"I knew Prosser for three or four years whilst at Coolgardie, Kalgoorlie, and   the Boulder, at Western Australia, and always found him persevering and steady. He had a wonderfully bright disposition, and was as true as steel to his parents, relatives, and friends. He was latterly employed by Messrs. James Robertson & Co., jewellers, watchmakers, &c. at the Boulder City, and left for South Australia at the time of his mother's death. On the Saturday evening before the departure of the contingent he was at supper with me, and he then spoke of the anxiety and trouble he had with his horse, but although advised to do so would not ask for a change, because he thought his officers would think he was afraid and had no pluck. In fact, on the same afternoon, at the inspection on the Park Lands, the animal ran away with him.'' Prosser's letter contains the following:— 

S.S. Manhattan, Durban, June 6.

My dear Everett— I never thought of you   being on the verandah in Rundle-street. I was looking for a lot of friends that had sent notes to me, saying would see me in the street, but it was like looking for a   needle in a haystack. I was riding the very last of the troopers; there were two or three officers behind me. I was put back   on account of my horse being a little troublesome. Coming back along North-terrace he got very bad. I shall never forget that ride; people seemed to lose their heads, and were running in among the horses to shake hands with the men, and it did not make any difference which one. We had a very calm voyage all the way to Beira. We arrived there on Monday evening, 27th, and had everything ready on   board to disembark, but we found that there were two other transports there before us, and we would not be able to start unloading for a fortnight. No one was allowed on shore. We stayed there until the following Sunday morning, June 3, when we set sail for this port, arriving here early this morning. We hope to be going into the harbour sometime to-day. At present we are lying out about four miles from the river, where the wharf is. There are about twenty other transports lying out here where we are. On one next to us there are supposed to be some Boer prisoners, but I could not say for certain. I hope we shall soon get ashore. The food is disgraceful. Friday, 8th. — We are still lying out here. They say there is not room at the wharf for us yet. It has been blowing great guns   all day, but the wind was from the land, so it did not affect us much. It is rumoured on board that we are to go in to-morrow if it is calm enough. They say we cannot cross the bar going in if there is any sea on. There does not seem to be too much water there. I only hope we do go in. I'm heartily tired of ship. I must wait and see what to-morrow brings forth. Sunday, 10th.— We have just moved a little nearer the wharf and dropped anchor again."

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54452814

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931) Saturday 14 December 1901

A MEMORIAL TABLET.

The comrades of Trooper H. E. Prosser, of the Fourth South Australian Contingent, who was killed at Durban last year, have subscribed to erect a memorial tablet in St. John's Church, Halifax-street, Adelaide, where Trooper Prosser was once a choir boy. The tablet will be of wood, and will stand about 3 ft. 6 in. in height. The military authorities have consented to a church parade being held on Sunday, December 22, when the memorial will be unveiled by Bishop Harmer. The Adelaide Mounted Rifles, A Battery Field Artillery, and the 1st Infantry Regiment, as well as comrades of the deceased, will parade, and march to the church, headed by the Military Band.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4871626