Topic: BW - Qld - 1ACH
1st ACH (Qld)
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland
Departure
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland, "D" Company
[From: Sydney Mail, 8 February 1902, 354.]
The following story is extracted from The Brisbane Courier, Monday, 27 January 1902, from page 4:
Departure For Sydney.
The men comprising the Queensland unit of the Federal 'Contingent, except those; who had left on Friday with the horses, departed from Roma-street Railway station for Sydney yesterday morning by train for the purpose of being mobilised with the other units of the first battalion. It is significant of the despatch of these contingents for South Africa that hardly less enthusiasm was evoked over the departure of this last contingent than there was over the first. Notwithstanding the very early hour - 6.45 - there was an extraordinarily large crowd to say farewell to this - the first contribution of united Australia. Perhaps some additional interest was given to the occasion from the fact that Lieutenant-Colonel Lyster, who for so many years was Chief Staff Officer and Assistant Adjutant-General, and at times Acting Commandant In connection with tho Queensland forces, was also taking his departure for the purpose of assuming his new command as head of the first battalion of the contingent.
The Premier (Hon. R. Philp) gave evidence .by his presence of his sustained interest In the contingents going to and re- turning from South Africa. There was also a large muster of officers of the Defence Forces, Including Lieutenant - Colonel the Hon. A. J. Thynne, M.LC, Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo. Lieutenant-Colonel Aytoun, Captain Creswell (Naval Commandant), Lieutenant-Colonel Byron, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomson, P.M.O., Lien« tenant-Colonel Irving, P.V.O., Major Sellheim, D.A.A.G., Major Spencer Browne, Major Plomer, Acting A.AG, Major J. W Green, Captain Webb (Adjutant), Captain Lewis, Captain Sir Stewart Richardson, Captain Hesketh, Captain Echlin, Captain Coxen, Captain Parker, Lieutenant Maddock, Lieutenant Harte, and many others also Mr. E. H. Macartney, M.L.A.
The contingent, numbering about ninety, officers and men, was attended by the Headquarters Band, and at a convenient juncture,
The Premier, addressing Captain Berry (the commanding officer). Lieutenants Woodcock and Green, and the other members of the unit, said:-
Officers and men of .the Queensland unit who are going to fight under the Australian Commonwealth flag, I wish, you all success. I am certain you will keep up the good record that the Queensland soldiers have already made in South Africa. Captain Berry, whom you are going under, has, already proved his mettle in fight against the Boers. A number of you have also been there, and I am certain that the whole band, though small - will show well in comparison with the men sent from the other States. I wish you Godspeed. I sincerely hope you will not have much fighting, but I know it you are called upon you will do your duty. Good-bye. I hope you will soon come back, with few, if any, of your number remaining behind." (Applause.)
After an opportunity had been given to friends to say good-bye - and there were a number of women moved to tears at the parting - Lieutenant-Colonel Lyster called for cheers for Mr. and Mrs. Philp, which were must heartily given.
At once tine men entrained and as the carriages were drawn steadily from the platform scores of hands gave a parting grip, and a hearty and sustained cheer went up from the crowd of spectators.
A matter that called for some comment was the fact that the men were sent away in the dungaree suits in which they had been working at the camp, and the public were deprived of the sight of the contingent in the familiar khaki and hats. It was currently reported that the reason for this was that the suits were not ready, and it was said, moreover, that the men were sent without their greatcoats (which were not finished), and also without blankets. At any rate, the fact that the dungaree suits and white felt hats were worn was regarded as proof that the preparations had not been sufficiently advanced. This fact is taken as an additional reason for the objection which the Premier has offered all along to the men being sent overland.
Previous to departure the Headquarters Band, of which he was for many years commanding officer, presented Lieutenant Colonel Lyster with a handsome Whisky flask, suitably inscribed. It is also worthy of note that no less than twenty-five of the twenty-seven members of the band put in an appearance.
Further Reading:
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland, Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: 1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland, Departure
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Sunday, 9 May 2010 4:44 PM EADT
