“The war in South Africa has brought sorrow to many a home,” it said, “and it is our painful duty to have to chronicle the death whilst nobly fighting for his country of a former resident of this town \u2013 Mr Willie Aitken.<\/p>\n
“The deceased was so well known here that his death at an early period of the war came as a sad blow both to his sorrowing relatives and all who knew him so well and esteemed him for his manly qualities.”<\/p>\n
Aitken was born in Heathcote, where he completed an apprenticeship in saddlery.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He left to seek his fortune in South Africa in the 1890s, originally settling in Johannesburg where he worked in a mine.<\/p>\n When war broke out, he enlisted in the South African Imperial Light Horse in Cape Town as a saddlery sergeant.<\/p>\n He later joined Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry, formed by Major Alexander Thorneycroft of the Royal Scots Fusiliers.<\/p>\n His initial wounds at Colenso were mild, according to the McIvor Times<\/em>.<\/p>\n “He was being carried off that field by Lieutenant Ponsonby when a bullet struck him in the heart, killing him instantly,” it reported.<\/p>\n “That so promising a life should have been cut off in such a manner is very sad, but it is some consolation to his sorrowing relatives to know that he fell whilst fighting for his Queen and country, as so many of his fellow colonists are now doing.”<\/p>\n At this point the faraway battle became distinctly more personal for many district residents.<\/p>\n Several other local men were in active combat, but this was the first death among them.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, a British contingent at Mafeking had held off Boer attackers for just over seven months until more than 2000 soldiers came to their rescue on 17 May 1900.<\/p>\n The Heathcote reaction to what was referred to as “the relief of Mafeking” was enormous.<\/p>\n As news reached the town at noon on Saturday 19 May, the festivities began \u2013 mirroring celebrations across the country.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Flags were hoisted, red, white and blue rosettes were donned, and bunting festooned local businesses.<\/p>\n “Exactly at 8 o’clock pm, a volley of rifle shots, fired at the police station, heralded the commencement of the evening’s loyal display,” the McIvor Times<\/em> reported.<\/p>\n “A huge tar barrel was set alight in front of the shire hall and the glare from it lit up the street for some distance.”<\/p>\n The brass band played until it could play no more and the residents’ patriotic fervour descended into raucous partying.<\/p>\n Three days later, the eagerness to continue these celebrations resulted in a crowded public meeting.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2025\/04\/hmtmafekingrelief_83802_tn.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2025\/04\/hmtaitkeninscription_86418.jpg\")