Topic: BW - NSW - 3NSWMR
3rd NSWMR
3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles
Outline
In 1911, Lieutenant-Colonel P. L. Murray, produced a marvellous Boer War reference detailing all the contingents sent from Australia to South Africa, giving a brief history of the formation and finally, listing all the soldiers who saw service in South Africa with that unit. The book was called, Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa. It is now the standard reference and starting place for any person interested in pursuing information about Australian involvement in the Boer War.
Murray, P. L., Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa, pp. 123 - 124.
Third New South Wales Mounted Rifles.
This Regiment was raised upon the same lines as its predecessors, preference being given to trained men who were good shots and good riders; age, 20 to 40 years; height, 6 feet 6 inches and upwards; minimum chest measurement, 34 inches. Applicants were required to be single men and to pass a military medical examination. Establishment and rates of pay as for 2nd Mounted Rifles.
Clothing, etc.
Uniform consisted of F.S. jacket, pants, puttees, and hat. Equipped with saddles (portion only).
Departure and Return.
"B" and "D" Squadrons
"B" and "D" squadrons of this regiment embarked at Sydney on the transport Maplemore on the 16th March, and arrived at Port Elizabeth on 12th April, 1901, with 8 officers and 251 others.
"A", "C" and "E" Squadrons
"A," "C;" and "E" squadrons, with Regimental Staff, embarked on transport British Princess on 21st March, and arrived at Durban on 17th April, 1901, with 17 officers and 401 other ranks.
Machine Gun Section
Machine-gun section embarked on transport Ranee on 21st March, and arrived at Durban on 23rd April, 1901. Strength, 2 officers, 34 others.
Reinforcement Drafts
Drafts embarked on transport Antillian on 5th April, and arrived at Durban on 12th May, 1901 - 10 officers, 294 others. Total strength of regiment, 37 officers, 980 of other ranks, besides supernumeraries with 1,000 horses.
Fate
One officer, 36 Sergeants and rank and file were killed or died; and 6 officers, 48 others were struck off in South Africa.
Return to Australia
The regiment embarked at Cape Town for Australia on 4th May, and arrived at Sydney on 3rd June, 1902, calling at Albany, Adelaide, and Melbourne en route.
Service.
This regiment was attached to Colonel Remington's column from 2nd May, 1901, to 28th April, 1902.
The regiment took part in operations in the Eastern Transvaal and Eastern Orange River Colony in 1901-2. It also took part in several drives in the early part of 1902; the principal one, the Harrismith drive, resulting in the capture of 231 prisoners, 26,000 head of cattle, and 2,000 horses.
A Machine-gun section was attached to it, vide Nominal Roll.
Further Reading:
3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles
3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: 3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles, Murray Account, Outline
