Australian Light Horse Studies Centre

Citation: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 15 July 1900

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 June 2010 5:42 PM EADT

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Sunday, 14 July 2002

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 14 July 1900
Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB

NSWIB

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen

War Diary, 14 July 1900

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 14 July 1900.

14 July 1900 - Saturday

Left camp at 6.50 a.m. arriving at wagons at 8 a.m. distance 4½ miles. Country undulating, grazing indifferent. Grass fire approached to within 150 yards of camp and at 10.30 a.m.. Troops turned out and stopped it, horses removed to safety.

Squadrons exercised in Manual and Firing at noon. Shortly afterwards the fire assisted by wind again came towards the camp but was quickly kept within bounds.

I left camp at 2 p.m. and rode 4½ miles to the Shangani River which was found to contain excellent running water, a luxury after that which we have been drinking from standing water holes; selected camp about ¼ mile from River in timber. The men are very smart in settling down in camp and are quiet and shows great improvement in discipline, this speaks well, for men who for the past 2 months have had to be content with 1 lb preserved meat per diem in lieu of the 3 unlimited meals of meat which each of them was accustomed to prior to enlistment. Oatmeal porridge is much appreciated. Bacon is excellent rations. Marchioness ration is good, containing meat and vegetables.

Grass fires threaten the camp and the men work hard to contain them. A few hours after containment, winds whipped up the fires again. Camp moved to Shangani River which contained flowing water, a relief from the muddy pool water they had been using along the route.

Previous: War Diary, 13 July 1900

Next: War Diary, 15 July 1900

Further Reading:

Citation: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 14 July 1900

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 June 2010 5:38 PM EADT

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Saturday, 13 July 2002

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 13 July 1900
Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB

NSWIB

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen

War Diary, 13 July 1900

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 13 July 1900.

13 July 1900 - Friday

I moved out of camp at 7 a.m., very frosty morning. Caught up to Colonel at 8.15 camped close to wagons four miles from our night camp. Accompanied by Captain Brown, with Adam the Kaffir driver went out after buck; but saw only two small ones, 3 peacocks, 2 quails and 1 hare.

Squadrons marched out at 3.15 to camp 5 miles in timber, 1 mile from store. Country getting much poorer, road very heavy, sand all the way from Gwelo. Day hot.

At midday there was a partial stampede amongst the horses which was stopped by the dismounted men circling the leaders. It was apparent that the knee haltering had been done clumsily, and that no horse should have more than 24" inches at the most of halter allowed from the knees to the headstall.

Snakes very plentiful in night camp, 5 of a venomous nature killed by "E" Squadron and 2 by "D". Generally about 5 to 6 feet in length. Rallying post introduced.

Miller visited the Colonel Mackay and then went out hunting deer. In the meantime at camp, the horses stampeded. It was stopped when the men rounded up the leaders.The cause was due to poor knee haltering. At night, snakes were a grave problem.

Previous: War Diary, 12 July 1900

Next: War Diary, 14 July 1900

Further Reading:

Citation: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 13 July 1900

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 June 2010 5:39 PM EADT

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Friday, 12 July 2002

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 12 July 1900
Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB

NSWIB

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen

War Diary, 12 July 1900

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 12 July 1900.

12 July 1900 - Thursday

Very bleak morning. Squadrons moved out at 7.15 a.m. arrived at wagons on the Somabula River at 8.45 this morning, distance 4 miles.

"A" and "B" Squadrons left this camp at 7 a.m..

Troops exercised in Outpost Duty by day. Squadrons marched out at 3.15 arrived at camp 4 miles on at 4.30. Camp pitched on veldt, very little timber for any purposes. Colonel Mackay accompanied by the Adjutant, the Quartermaster, the Veterinary, the Regimental Sergeant Major and Orderlies arrived in camp at 8.15 p.m.

Colonel expressed satisfaction at condition of affairs and emphasized his wish that messing by groups be introduced, men work in groups, sleep in groups, eat in groups and fight in groups; one man in each group to cook for the other three men who look after his horse. The party left camp at 9 p.m.. Prior to leaving the Colonel address the Squadrons and complimented them on their behaviour and work.

Colonel Mackay and his staff finally join the column. He introduces the concept of the section of four men. In the circumstances of travel, one of the four men will cook and the other three will look after the cook's horse. Each section will remain together doing everything and sharing all things together. Mackay addressed the column and then left the camp at 9pm.

Previous: War Diary, 11 July 1900

Next: War Diary, 13 July 1900

Further Reading:

Citation: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 12 July 1900

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 June 2010 5:37 PM EADT

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Thursday, 11 July 2002

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 11 July 1900
Topic: BW - NSW - NSWIB

NSWIB

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen

War Diary, 11 July 1900

New South Wales Imperial Bushmen War Diary, 11 July 1900.

11 July 1900 - Wednesday

Troops marched out at 7.15, arrived at wagons 8.30, distance 3½ miles. Exercised Squadrons in the attack and defence of a position. Officers very weak. NCO's as a rule, absolutely useless. Left camp at 2 p.m. arrived next site at 3.30 distance about 4 miles.

The grain wagons are to be reloaded and will catch up to us tonight. Country undulating veldt, very little wood even for fuel. Water in spruit. Wagons arrived with grain at 9 p.m..

The column practiced squadron attack and defence of positions. Much to the disgust of Miller, he describes the officers as weak and reserved his most scathing comments for the NCO's as "absolutely useless". Their new camp was at a spruit with water, although on the down side, the veld had little wood for fuel.

Previous: War Diary, 10 July 1900

Next: War Diary, 12 July 1900

Further Reading:

Citation: New South Wales Imperial Bushmen, War Diary, 11 July 1900

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Sunday, 13 June 2010 5:34 PM EADT