"At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man - they were an awe inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze - knee to knee and horse to horse - the dying sun glinting on bayonet points..." Trooper Ion Idriess
The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre aims to present an accurate history as chroniclers of early Australian military developments from 1899 to 1920.
The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre site holds over 12,000 entries and is growing daily.
Contact:Australian Light Horse Studies CentreLet us hear your story:
You can tell your story, make a comment or ask for help on our Australian Light Horse Studies Centre Forum called:
WARNING: This site contains: names, information and images of deceased people; and, language which may be considered inappropriate today.
Saturday, 6 July 2002
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 6 July 1900 Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB
NSWIB
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen
War Diary, 6 July 1900
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 6 July 1900.
This is an extract from the War Diary written by Major David Miller, Adjutant of the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen who arrived in the Mozambique port of Biera and then moved to Rhodesia as part of the journey for deployment in South Africa to see action in the Boer War.
6 July 1900 - Friday
Moved out at 6.55 a.m., arrived wagons on the Drinkwater at 8 a.m. distance 3¼ miles, abundance of good water and fuel. Telegraph line crosses road here. Kaffir Kraal and Stables, marched out at 2 p.m., arrived at camping ground distance 7 miles at 4 p.m.. Water very indifferent, fuel abundance. Squadrons arrived at 5 p.m.. Officers instructed in attack on a position by day and by night.
The column crosses the Drinkwater River and sees the native kraals. Night lecture is about attacking a position during day or night.
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 5 July 1900 Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB
NSWIB
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen
War Diary, 5 July 1900
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 5 July 1900.
This is an extract from the War Diary written by Major David Miller, Adjutant of the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen who arrived in the Mozambique port of Biera and then moved to Rhodesia as part of the journey for deployment in South Africa to see action in the Boer War.
5 July 1900 - Thursday
Troops remained in camp during morning to refresh oxen which are becoming weary and weak. Party of Officers out shooting secured fine Buck, 70 lbs weight, sufficed to give soup to men who have had only very inferior tinned meat for some time.
Extensive grassfires on other side of river, this is our great and immediate danger on camp as the grass is 5 to 6 feet long and dry as possible. The weather has changed to very cold and windy. Left camp at 2 p.m., arrived at night camp at 4 p.m. distance 7 miles. Good cover for horses in timber but no water. Troops showed marked improvement in fixing camp, orderly, smart, no trouble about camp bounds which are fixed nightly. Morning very cold and frosty.
The officers hunt for deer to supplement the poor diet the men are suffering. The camp takes until the afternoon to move off on the march as the oxen are weakening through poor feed. Morale is slowly lifting with the addition of venison on that day.
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 4 July 1900 Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB
NSWIB
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen
War Diary, 4 July 1900
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 4 July 1900.
This is an extract from the War Diary written by Major David Miller, Adjutant of the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen who arrived in the Mozambique port of Biera and then moved to Rhodesia as part of the journey for deployment in South Africa to see action in the Boer War.
4 July 1900 - Wednesday
Reveille at 5.30. Squadrons marched out at 6.55 a.m. leading horses arrive at wagons 4 miles distance at 8.20 a.m., horses watered and linked; had luncheon; Troops moved out at 3 arrived at Little Sebakive River at 5 p.m., camped. Had campfire, distance from morning camp 5½. Weather hot, like thunder.
The men marched to their camping ground at Sebakive River with little incident.
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 3 July 1900 Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB
NSWIB
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen
War Diary, 3 July 1900
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 3 July 1900.
This is an extract from the War Diary written by Major David Miller, Adjutant of the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen who arrived in the Mozambique port of Biera and then moved to Rhodesia as part of the journey for deployment in South Africa to see action in the Boer War.
3 July 1900 - Tuesday
Reveille at 5.30. Squadrons marched out at 6.55 a.m. leading horses arrive at wagons 4 miles distance at 8.20 a.m., horses watered and linked; had luncheon; Troops moved out at 3 arrived at Little Sebakive River at 5 p.m., camped. Had campfire, distance from morning camp 5½. Weather hot, like thunder. Wagons moved out at 5.30 a.m.. Troops followed at 6.40 a.m., arrived at camp at 8 a.m., distance short 4 miles. Camping grounds destitute of firewood, water 600 yards distant/ "C" Squadron occupied same ground.
The cook of "C" Squadron bakes exceptionally fine bread in an oven consisting of 2 sheets of galvanised iron turned up at the edges all round for 8 inches forming box which is placed on some hot ashes and covered with more. The fire having been made in a pit about 12 inches deep originally.
Troops marched out at 3 p.m. and marched to 1 mile beyond the Stables, a total distance of 5 miles. Camp formed in light timber. Grass on left of road very long, coarse and dry. Men ordered to restrict fires to roadside.
Extensive grass fires about 2 miles to our rear. Close inspection showed necessity for careful watch being kept. Picket warned accordingly. Wagons arrived at 8 p.m.. Snakes plentiful, 2 killed in Camp, one green, the other grey with black marks, length 3 to 4 feet.
Officers assembled at my fire and discussed disposition of detachment to resist attack at previous camping place; road sketches produced, explained use of compass, and arranged for each officer to take notes of road.
This entry is rather filled with some interesting discoveries, the chief observation related to the ability of the "C" Squadron cook as a bread maker. Miller describes in detail the construction of the cook's bush oven. On a more serious note, the contingent is beginning to feel a sense of unease as they approach potentially hostile territory and so they discuss plans to protect the column from any unexpected attacks.
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 2 July 1900 Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB
NSWIB
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen
War Diary, 2 July 1900
New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 2 July 1900
This is an extract from the War Diary written by Major David Miller, Adjutant of the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen who arrived in the Mozambique port of Biera and then moved to Rhodesia as part of the journey for deployment in South Africa to see action in the Boer War.
2 July 1900 - Monday
Reveille at 5.30 a.m.. Troops marched out at 7 a.m. and marched leading horses which carried men's blankets and their own rugs, arriving at wagons at 8.50 a.m. distance 4½ miles. Lieutenant Thomas sent on by Captain Waldron to ensure supplies of grain etc being ready at Enkledoorn from the Range.
The Bushmen are on the march with all the expected supplies being delivered to Enkledoorn rather than the pre-arranged point of Range. Great care is taken to ensure the re-supply is successful.
The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre is a not for profit and non profit group whose sole aim is to write the early history of the Australian Light Horse from 1900
- 1920. It is privately funded and the information is provided by the individuals within the group and while permission for the use of the material has been given for this
site for these items by various donors, the residual and actual copyright for these items, should there be any, resides exclusively with the donors. The information on
this site is freely available for private research use only and if used as such, should be appropriately acknowledged. To assist in this process, each item has a citation
attached at the bottom for referencing purposes.
Please Note: No express or implied permission is given for commercial use of the information contained within this site.
A note to copyright holders
The Australian Light Horse Studies Centre has made every endeavour to contact copyright holders of material digitised for this blog and website and where
appropriate, permission is still being sought for these items. Where replies were not received, or where the copyright owner has not been able to be traced, or where
the permission is still being sought, the Australian Light Horse Studies Centre has decided, in good faith, to proceed with digitisation and publication. Australian Light
Horse Studies Centre would be happy to hear from copyright owners at any time to discuss usage of this item.
