Reference note addressed to Able Seaman Thomas Fleming Walker

Date13 May 1901

Object number00054876

NameReference

MediumPaper, ink

DimensionsOverall: 130 × 195 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from John Walker

Terms

DescriptionCharacter reference for ABS Thomas Walker written by Captain Gillespie of the New South Wales Naval Contingent sent to the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. The character reference is dated 13 May 1901, was written in China, signed by Captain Gillespie and sealed with the NSW Naval Contingent's official stamp.HistoryThe Boxer Rebellion was the largest conflict in which the military forces of Australia played a role prior to Federation. The primary contributors to what became known as the 'Australian Contingent' were servicemen from the colonial naval forces of New South Wales and Victoria. With the majority of Australia's militia engaged in the Boer War in South Africa, the colonial navies provided a pool of professional full-time ship's crews, as well as reservist-volunteers, including many ex-naval men. The reservists were mustered into naval brigades,and their training geared towards coastal defence by sailors capable of ship handling and fighting as soldiers. Thomas Fleming Walker was one of these men. As a member of the New South Wales Naval Brigade, he would have participated in garrison duties at Peking. Although they saw little combat, members of the NSW Naval Brigade performed critical police and guard duties, and helped restore civil order. Within ANMM's collections, only one other photograph exists of a Boxer Rebellion serviceman.SignificanceThe photograph of Thomas Walker lends a human face to the Australians who participated in the conflict, as does the associated character reference composed by Walker's commander, Captain Alexander Gillespie.