Frank wrote to his mother from Charlestown, South Africa, on 25 January 1902, telling her of his successful convalescence and his impending departure for New Zealand. His brother Arthur, who was also in the same campaign wrote on 26 May 1902 having just learnt from another trooper that his brother had died and was in fact buried nearby as they passed through Charlestown. He was not allowed to visit his grave. These and other letters from the brothers are lodged in the Auckland War Memorial Museum Manuscript Collection, Reference No.MS99/86.

Before World War I, enteric fever, or typhoid fever, was the scourge of armies, and in the Anglo-Boer War killed more soldiers than enemy action. It is caused by a bacteria entering the body via contaminated food or water. Early symptoms include high fever, headaches and lassitude. Follicles along the intestinal walls later become inflamed, often leading to perforation and hemorrhaging. Other complications include gall bladder, pneumonia or heart failure.

At the time of the Boer War, there were no antibiotic remedies for the disease.

Auckland Museum Boer War " The Second Boer War Veterans" Display. Display item is a framed copy of the Roll of Honour of the 6 Contingent.

Father was named George William Pahl. AWMM