Goldstein

Mark

Trooper

728

17/2/1900

18Adar I 5660

40

Killed in Action

Tugela Heights, South Africa

Garden of Remembrance, Clouston, South Africa

Natal Carbineers, Victoria

Boer War

39

Jewish

Male

10/1/1900

South Africa

Born c. 1859 London, England. Son of Rev Lewis Isaac GOLDSTEIN of Melbourne Hebrew Congregation & Rachael Hart Fanny née MOSES 46 Burnett Street, St Kilda. Mark arrived with his family in Melbourne 25 August 1860 on board Roxburgh Castle age 1. "On 9 Febraury 1900 the Eastcourt-Weenen Squadron returned to Chieveley, escorting artillery and covering the left flank of the infantry columns returning from the dismal Spioenkop 'excursion'. Hubert Gough assumed command of the Composite Regiment at about this time. On the 12th the squadron revisited Hussar Hill as part of a reconnaissance in force preparatory to the recapture of this strategic feature, essential to British plans to force Boer positions along the Hussar Hill-Cingolo-Monte Criso axis. Boer-held Cingolo was reconnoitred on the 16th, and on the following morning the position was successfully assaulted. The commandos had failed to fortify the position with their usual thoroughness, considering it unlikely that an attack would be launched on its steep, rock-strewn and thickly-bushed slopes. It was on this occasion that the Carbineers sustained their only casualty outside the Battle of Colenso. He was Trooper Mark Goldstein, who had only enrolled on 10 January. Dundonald's brigade was complimented by Buller on their performance, and participated in a similar operation against Monte Cristo on the 18th. After the Monte Cristo engagement, Buller doubled back towards Colenso, crossing the Tugela south of the village. On the 20th-21st the Carbineers found themselves back at their old nemesis, Hlangwane, observing the right flank of the redirected advance. The brigade took a backseat during the infantry battles for strategic features such as Wynne Hill and Hart's Hill, spending several days (22-24 February) amidst rain and shellfire. At Hart's Hill the Carbineers were honoured with an impromptu inspection by the Russian military attaché, Lieutenant -Colonel Jolshin. At dawn on the 27th the Carbineers bestirred themselves with a special enthusiasm as news of British success at Pieter's Hill was received. The breakthrough to Ladysmith had finally been achieved. 28 February, a Wednesday, saw the Boer forces in full retreat, and was to end as one of the most memorable days in the regiment's history. The brigade moved forward through the debris of the previous day's battle and a hastily abandoned laager near Pieter's Station. On this day Gough's Composite Regiment spearheaded continued aggressive reconnaissance that saw the leading elements reach Bulwana mountain in the early evening. Gough had found his route blocked by numerous pockets of resilient Boer riflemen covering the general retreat, but a troop or two on the enemy's flanks usually forced a retirement. When Gough found himself, almost unexpectedly on the outskirts of Ladysmith, he was determined to proceed despite Dundonald's cautionary instructions to the contrary. At about this point, Gough was presented with the delicate matter of rivalry between the Cargineers and the ILH (under Captain Bottomly), both of whom had comrades besieged in the town, over who would have the honour of being the first to enter. McKenzie considered making a solo dash, apparently even ordering his men to jam a narrow defile to prevent the ILH passing. The matter was resolved when the two squadrons were formed into half-sections and rode in abreast. It was a thrilling moment, though probably a more dignified one than was depicted in the contemporary press. Most apparent to the fit, well-mounted relief force was the emaciated and fever-stricken appearance of the besieged. Following the obligatory speeches, the squadron retired to the regiment's lines, and Gough joined General White for dinner. McKenzie and Bottomly received orders to parade at first light on 1 March, to pursue the retreating boers. However, the state of the garrison, and Buller's continued emphasis on consolidation rather than pursuit, instead led to two months virtual inaction. The Composite Regiment rejoined the Brigade at Nelthorpe, south of Ladysmith. On 7 March, before the Squadron's departure for a well-deserved month-long recuperation at Highlands, near Estcourt, their brigade commander for the previous three months, Lord Dundonald, paid them a glowing tribute: 'You belong to a regiment whose reputation stands high, and you have done much to cover it with honour. For the time I have commanded you, you have done much hard and dangerous work, but I have never feared that, however difficult the task set you perform, and however dangerous that task, it would be well-accomplished; and were I intending to join any regiment, and were it open to me to choose, I would prefer to join the Natal Carbineers.' The reunited regiment remained at Highlands until 5 April. Here they were rested and refitted before joining Buller's advance into Northern Natal." Source: Victorian Military Society, UK. He was originally buried near Monte Christo, Tugela Heights, but his remains were later moved to the Garden of Remembrance at Clouston. The exact location of his grave is unknown but his name does appear on the memorial plaque in the All Saints Church, Ladysmith.