About the author
Mike Dwight was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. After completing his compulsory military service, he studied at Stellenbosch and Natal Universities. Thereafter he taught in various secondary schools - including one in the ‘siege town’ of Ladysmith. During the political upheaval of the late eighties and early nineties, he taught in Guguletu outside Cape Town. Then, after South Africa’s historic first democratic election of 1994, he moved to Mthatha together with his wife and two children. There he worked for a non-profit making organization and co-ordinated a book based literacy programme for 65 disadvantaged schools. In 2000, he emigrated to New Zealand and now holds dual New Zealand/South African citizenship. Since his family’s arrival in their newly adopted country, he has lived on the Coromandel, where he once again joined the teaching ranks. It is through living in this ‘slice of paradise’, that he first discovered Walter Callaway’s story and learnt more about ‘NZ’s Forgotten War’.
Contact details: mdwight@xtra.co.nz
Author's paternal grandfather
Harry Dwight arrived in South Africa from England, in January 1901. He was a professional soldier serving with the Sixth Dragoon Guards and the clasps on his Queens Medal recognise his service in the Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal. In June 1901, Callaway’s Seventh Contingent joined a column of 2,000 men under the leadership of Col. Garrett of the Sixth Dragoon Guards. The column comprised of Garrett’s regiment, Queenslanders and the New Zealanders. It is therefore highly probable that both Harry Dwight and Walter Callaway fought alongside each other against General Jan Smuts’ commando in the Battle of Witkop along the Vaal River, where Callaway was severely injured. Later, Harry himself was wounded in Villiers in April 1902, and was hospitalised in Standerton - at the same time that Callaway and the Ninth Contingent passed though the town en route to Elandsfontein. After the war, he left South Africa and was stationed in India until 1908. During WW1, Harry served the British fighting in German South West Africa and then at the outbreak of WW2, became a Sergeant-Major responsible for training troops in Cape Town. He died at the age of 89.
Author's maternal grandfather
Kenneth Parker was a third generation Cape colonial, who first experienced action in February 1900, at Arundel near Colesburg - just days after Callaway had left the district to help relieve Kimberley. He was a member of a local unit called the Eastern Cape Light Horse. Together with Callaway, Kenneth participated in the general advance northwards from Bloemfontein, but was captured by the Boers outside the Free State town of Senekal and then incarcerated in the Waterval POW Camp in Pretoria. Fortunately his captivity lasted only for three weeks, as the British soon occupied the capital city, and he was freed. His active service ended mid-way through the war due to him suffering from enteric fever. After being treated in Wynberg Hospital in Cape Town, (where Callaway also recuperated), he returned to his family’s sheep farm near Hofmeyr [Maraisburg] to recover further.
Kenneth Parker lived to the age of 98. His collection of letters which were written during the war, as well as his personally related stories, have been recorded and are a valuable resource today.
Kenneth Parker lived to the age of 98. His collection of letters which were written during the war, as well as his personally related stories, have been recorded and are a valuable resource today.
