327 Trooper John Waddell, NSW Citizens' Bushmen

John Waddell was born in 1872 at Shoalhaven, NSW. A horsebreaker by trade, Waddell enlisted in the NSW Citizens' Bushmen becoming  and 327 Trooper John Waddell and allotted to "C" Squadron. Waddell is recorded in Murray, p. 82.

Studio portrait of 327 Trooper John Waddell

[AWM Photo A04430]

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. Waddell was killed in action by Boer Pom Poms at Elands River on 4 August 1900. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 17 June 1902.

Initially Trooper John Waddell  was buried in a communal grave along with Staff Sergeant James Mitchell, Trooper James Daniel Duff,  and Trooper James Edward Walker. After 1966 Waddell was reburied in a single grave with his own metal head piece.

Elands River

For more information about the battle at Elands River, the War Diary of the NSW Imperial Bushmen details this action. A report on the action was filed by Major Tunbridge on 18 August 1900. This can be found at:

Report by Major Tunbridge about Elands River, 18 August 1900, page 1 

Report by Major Tunbridge about Elands River, 18 August 1900, page 2 

Report by Major Tunbridge about Elands River, 18 August 1900, page 3 

Report by Major Tunbridge about Elands River, 18 August 1900, page 4 

Report by Major Tunbridge about Elands River, 18 August 1900, page 5 

Report by Major Tunbridge about Elands River, 18 August 1900, page 6

Citation: 327 Trooper John Waddell

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Monday, 10 May 2010 10:36 PM EADT

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45 Trooper Philip Dickinson, NSW Citizens' Bushmen

On Monday, 29 January 1900, Philip Dickinson turned up with his saddle to Randwick Race Track in Sydney and enrolled with the NSW Citizens' Bushmen. After a couple days rigorous testing which involved a medical, a shooting test and a riding test.

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.

Philip Dickinson was born in 1874 at Leeds, England. A labourer by trade, Dickinson enlisted in the NSW Citizens' Bushmen becoming 45 Trooper Philip Dickinson and allotted to "A" Squadron. Dickinson is recorded in Murray, p. 76. Dickinson also appears to have seen service with the Bushveldt Carbineers. Dickinson was awarded the Queen's South African Medal with the 1901 bar.

Great War Service

1001 Private Philip Dickinson, 12th Light Horse Regiment, 4th Reinforcement

Philip Dickinson, a brief military biography from The AIF Project:

Citation: 45 Trooper Philip Dickinson

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Monday, 10 May 2010 10:38 PM EADT

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44 Trooper Thomas Sutton, NSW Citizens' Bushmen

44 Trooper Thomas Sutton

Thomas Sutton was born in 1870 at Putney on Thames, England. A shearer by trade, Sutton enlisted in the NSW Citizens' Bushmen becoming 44 Trooper Thomas Sutton and allotted to "A" Squadron. Sutton is recorded in Murray, p. 77. 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. Sutton returned to Australia at the expiration of his tour.

Great War Service

3416 Driver Thomas Sutton,  1st Divisional Ammunition Column, 1st Reinforcements

Thomas Sutton, a brief military biography from The AIF Project:

T SUTTON

Regimental number    3416
Religion    Church of England
Occupation    Shearer
Address    Galston Road, Hornsby, New South Wales
Marital status    Single
Age at embarkation    43
Next of kin    Father, J Sutton, Galston Road, Hornsby, New South Wales
Enlistment date    23 September 1914
Rank on enlistment    Gunner
Unit name    Divisional Ammunition Column 1, Reinforcement 1
AWM Embarkation Roll number    25/89/2
Embarkation details    Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A30 Borda on 22 December 1914
    Embarkation Roll does not indicate which men embarked on which ship.
Embarkation details    Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A43 Forty Three on 22 December 1914
    Embarkation Roll does not indicate which men embarked on which ship.
Rank from Nominal Roll    Driver
Unit from Nominal Roll    1st Divisional Ammunition Column
Fate    Returned to Australia 11 January 1918
Miscellaneous details (Nominal Roll)    *Given name Thomas

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Tuesday, 11 May 2010 10:06 PM EADT

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NSWCBC

New South Wales Citizens Bushmans

Ernest G Foster

Ernest G Foster after attestation and allotment to "B" Squadron 

On Monday, 29 January 1900, Ernest G Foster turned up with his saddle to Randwick Race Track in Sydney and enrolled with the New South Wales Citizens' Bushmen. After a couple days rigorous testing which involved a medical, a shooting test and a riding test. 

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.

148 Sergeant Ernest G Foster

[From: Sydney Mail, 3 March 1900, p. 506.]

Ernest G Foster was born in 1873 at Avoca, Tasmania. A station hand by trade, Foster enlisted in the New South Wales Citizens' Bushmen becoming 148 Sergeant Ernest G Foster and allotted to "B" Squadron. While in South Africa, he was promoted to Squadron Sergeant Major on 19 October 1900.

When the tour of duty for the New South Wales Citizen's Bushmen's Contingent Foster remained in South Africa and traveled down to Cape Town where he was placed on the strength of 3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles as a supernumerary. Soldiers staying in Africa when their regiments returned were given a step up in rank, he was a Squadron Sergeant Major with the NSW Citizen's Bushmen's Contingent and so was commissioned as a Lieutenant to the 3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles.

After the return of the 3rd New South Wales Mounted Rifles to Australia, Foster stayed in Africa and would have been promoted to Captain in the next contingent but the war finished, so he was obliged to leave the Army. He remained in Africa as a settler under the Milner Scheme and did not return to Australia till 1926.

For his services in South Africa, Foster was awarded the Kings South African Medal.

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Bob Pankhurst for providing the information in this item about the service of Ernest G Foster with the 3rd NSWMR.

Further Reading:

New South Wales Citizens Bushmen's Contingent

New South Wales Citizens Bushmen's Contingent, Roll of Honour  

Boer War, 1899 - 1902

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Thursday, 10 June 2010 6:43 PM EADT

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72 Trooper David Lees, NSW Citizens' Bushmen

On Monday, 29 January 1900, David Lees turned up with his saddle to Randwick Race Track in Sydney and enrolled with the NSW Citizens' Bushmen. After a couple days rigorous testing which involved a medical, a shooting test and a riding test.

David Lees after attestation and allotment to "A" Squadron

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.

David Lees was born 1867 at Goulburn, NSW. A sheep overseer by trade, Lees enlisted in the NSW Citizens' Bushmen becoming 72 Trooper David Lees and allotted to "A" Squadron. Lees is recorded in Murray, p. 77. Lees was promoted to Corporal on 19 August 1900. The next year, Lees was invalided to Australia, and arrived at Sydney, 18 May 1901. Lees was awarded the Queen's South African Medal with the 1901 bar.

Great War Service

318 Lance Corporal David Lees,  11th Battalion, "C" Company

David Lees, a brief military biography from The AIF Project:

David LEES

Regimental number    318
Place of birth    Goulburn, New South Wales
School    Goulburn Public School, New South Wales
Religion    Presbyterian
Occupation    Engine driver
Address    Kununoppin, Western Australia
Marital status    Single
Age at embarkation    45
Next of kin    Sister, Mrs J Lees, Boischere, Goulburn, New South Wales
Previous military service    Served in the Citizens Bushmens Contingent, Boer War - South Africa 1900.
Enlistment date    2 September 1914
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll    22 August 1914
Rank on enlistment    Private
Unit name    11th Battalion, C Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number    23/28/1
Embarkation details    Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 2 November 1914
Rank from Nominal Roll    Lance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll    11th Battalion
Other details from Roll of Honour Circular    He was at the landing at Gallipoli April 25th 1915.
Fate    Killed in Action 2 May 1915
Place of death or wounding    Gallipoli, Turkey
Date of death    2 May 1915
Age at death    46
Age at death from cemetery records    45
Place of burial    Shell Green Cemetery (Artillery Road Plot 12), Gallipoli, Turkey
Panel number, Roll of Honour,  Australian War Memorial    63
Miscellaneous information from  cemetery records    Parents: William and Margaret LEES. Native of Goulburn, New South Wales
Family/military connections    Uncle to Lt J Lees killed in France.
Other details   

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

 Until The Day Dawns
And The Shadows Flee Away

Lest We Forget

Citation: 72 Tpr David Lees

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EAST

Updated: Monday, 10 May 2010 10:40 PM EADT

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