Topic: BW - NSW - NSWCBC
New South Wales Citizens Bushmens Contingent (NSWCBC)
Roll of Honour
James Mitchell
James Mitchell
Service number: 508
Rank: Squadron Sergeant Major [Sqn Sgt Maj]
Unit: NSW Citizens Bushmen, "A" Squadron
Service: Colonial Military Forces
Conflict: South Africa, 1899-1902
Date of death: 17 August 1900
Place of death: Elands River
Cause of death: Died of wounds
Source: AWM142 Roll of Honour cards, War in South Africa, 1899-1902.
James Mitchell was born in 1842 at Ayreshire, Scotland. Mitchell was married to Emily and lived at Tenterfield when he enlisted in the NSW Citizens' Bushmen becoming 508 Squadron Sergeant Major James Mitchell and allotted to "A" Squadron. Mitchell is recorded in Murray, p. 75. At the end of the month, on 28 February 1900, the men of the contingent boarded the SS Atlantian from Cowper Wharf where they remained for the next 24 hours. The next day, following Admiralty rules, on 1 March 1900, the ship departed Sydney Heads for South Africa. Mitchell was wounded in action at Elands River and subsequently died of his wounds on 17 August 1900.
Initially Squadron Sergeant Major James Mitchell was buried in a communal grave along with Trooper James Daniel Duff, Trooper John Waddell, and Trooper James Edward Walker. After 1966 Mitchell was reburied in a single grave with his own metal head piece.
Further Reading:
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen
Citation: New South Wales Citizens Bushmens Contingent (NSWCBC), Roll of Honour, James Mitchell
