Topic: BW - NSW - Lancers
Boer War - New South Wales
The NSW Lancers
The Fighting 28
"The Fighting 28"
After the NSW Lancers disembarked at Cape Town they were given ten days at Stellenbosch base camp near Cape Town. From there they were transported by train to De Aar junction arriving on 15 November 1899. It was at this point that 44 Lancers under the command of Captain Cox, were attached to General John Denton's column.
The remaining 28 Lancers under Lieutenant Septimus Osborne, making a total of 29 men, were quickly equipped and attached to the 9th Lancers to fill vacancies in that regiment, as part of Lord Methuen Force.
This small Lancer group of 29 were referred to as The Fighting 28. On 22nd November 1899, they had their first contact with the Boers at Thomas' Farm near Belmont Station some 160 km north west of Colesberg.
"The Fighting 28" Nominal Roll
Second Lieutenant Septimus Frank Osborne
507 Trooper Frederick Avard - Roll of Honour
817 Trooper William Hope Brady
629 Trooper Philip Brew
749 Trooper John Joseph Byrne
476 Trooper James Clarke
477 Sergeant John Sylvester Dooley
750 Trooper Guy EL Doudney
317 Trooper George Thomas Fenwick
415 Lance Corporal John Ford
742 Corporal Chales Hopf
304 Sergeant Peter McDonald
494 Trooper Michael McGill
824 Trooper Arthur McManus
761 Trooper John Howard Peek
620 Trooper Thomas Pestell
498 Trooper James Rankin
574 Trooper John Alexander "Jack" Roberts
303 Squadron Sergeant Major Henry Robson
888 Trooper Henry Sandon
734 Trooper Alfred Edward Saville
733 Trooper John Frederick Seccombe
502 Trooper John Sproule
210 Trooper George James Stratford
298 Trooper Harley "Henry" Thomas
828 Trooper Eric Burford Treatt
815 Trooper William James Turner
797 Trooper William Wilson Watts
740 Trooper Charles Edward Webster
Roll of Honour
Lest We Forget
Further Reading:
New South Wales Lancers, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: The NSW Lancers, The Fighting 28
