There is rebellion in South Africa. A part of the Boer army has declared for Germany. General Botha is taking decisive steps to put down the rebels, but this news on the top of the fall of Antwerp is very depressing. The Germans have now practically the whole of Belgium. The government having had to flee from Ostend to Havre.

D & I went into Launceston in car on the way to Tolapit, & heard that Ostend had been taken. We had with us Mrs Smith & 3 of the children as there was a small party in honour of Maitland’s birthday, who was 6. Mrs Keogh brought with her a Belgian lady, & 2 little children, who have had to flee from Liege. Maitland made such a capital little host & looked after the children so well.

The poor Belgian lady looked very sad, but the children are too young to know very much about what had happened.

In to days W. M. News is a picture of Harold Coode, who was badly wounded in Antwerp. He belonged to the Marines.