5th Contingent in South Africa: Arrival South Africa. Volunteers from No 11 Company (Auckland) became 1st NZ Battery, Rhodesian Field Artillery. Rest of contingent were re-organised into A, B, C & D Squadrons in South Africa. C Squadron split from the rest & joined the Kimberley flying column, based in Kimberley. A, B & D Squadrons joined the 2nd Brigade Rhodesian Field Force on 14/8/1900.

Movements: Ottoshoop 16-20/8/1900 [action] en route to Zeerust

Movements: Kaffir Kraal 24/10/1900 [action]

Movements: Venetersdoorp : 28/12/1900 - 23/1/1901

Photo: Te Awamutu Museum ref: 516 / R23:5 of the 1st New Zealand 15-pounder Field Artillery Football Team, 1902.

The Zeerust Cup, a silver cup, is held by the Auckland War Memorial Museum and was loaned to the Rugby Museum, Palmerston North c2011.

Movements: Cyferfontein : Jan 1901-6/3/1901

Movements: Ventersdoorp

Movements: Wildfontein 24/3/1901 [action]

Member of the The Zeerust Cup Match, won by the “Right Section New Zealand Battery” in May 1901 while on active service in South Africa, was possibly New Zealand’s first representative rugby league match. A letter presented with the trophy noted that it was a token of friendship intended to remind the team of the happy days passed amongst the Zeerust folks.

Returned to NZ Left South Africa on 12/6/1901 aboard SS Tagus (with 4th Contingent).

He won a shooting medal in 1904

Joined 8 Contingent , D Squadron with the rank of Corporal (service number 5443)

Father was named John George Petchell. AWMM