"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
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This constituted the 3rd Company, Queensland Mounted Infantry, and it was raised under proclamation, dated 29th December, 1900, authorizing a further "Military Force of Volunteers," for service with Her Majesty's army in South Africa, of the establishment detailed hereafter.
Commanding offices ware directed to furnish fists of members of their corps, prepared to volunteer for service in South Africa. They were required to be trained men, expert abate, and good riders; end any mss in possession of a suitable horse might have same purchased by the Government, if services accepted.
ESTABLISHMENT
Staff: - One major, 2 staff sergeants. 4 rank and file; total, 1 officer, 8 others: with 4 draught, 4 riding horses; total, 8.
No. 3 Company: - One captain, 4 lieutenants, 1 company sergeant-major, 4 sergeants, 1 sergeant-artificer, 5 artificers, 2 buglers, 9 corporals, 119 privates and driven; total, 6 officers, 138 others; 12 draught, 180 riding horse; total. 142. Grand total, 160 of all ranks, with the like number of horses.
Beyond the staff stated, however, there were a medical officer end a veterinary officer; besides 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, appointed supernumerary.
The Maori King embarking from Brisbane
DEPARTURE AND RETURN
The Contingent left on 13th January, 1900, comprising 14 officers, 144 others, with 178 home. Four died; 27 were streak off in South Africa; 11 officers (1 appointed in South Africa), 113 others returned.
Private FG Newton, promoted Lieutenant, 1st May, 1900.
Private NT Seccombe, promoted Lieutenant, "D" Company, 3rd Australian Commonwealth Horse.
Private CB Holme, promoted Lieutenant, 7th Australian Commonwealth Horse.
For promotions of NCO's and men, vide nominal roll.
SERVICE
The Contingent left Queensland by the transport Maori King on 13th January, 1900, anchored in Table Bay 22nd February, disembarked at 'Cape Town on 24th ; went to Maitland Camp, and entrained for Modder River on 28th (10 officers, 142 other ranks, and 175 homes), arriving on 3rd March. It proceeded at ones to join Lord Roberts' Field Force, and came under the command of Colonel Martyr.
The 2nd were present at the actions at Osfontein, Poplar Grove, Driefontein, and the various engagements leading to the occupation of Bloemfontein. They were then on outpost duties mend Bloemfontein until 9th April, 1900, when this Contingent came under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo, 1st Contingent, (vide that Contingent, under "Service.")
On the 8th April, the Australian Regiment (vide let Victorian Contingent), with several other corps, including the Queenslanders, was absorbed in the 1st Mounted Infantry Brigade, under the command of Major-General Hutton, C.B., A.D.C. ; this Contingent serving in 3rd Mounted Infantry Corps. The advance on Pretoria followed; and subsequent operations, including Val and Zand River, near Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Riet Vlei, and Zilikat's Nek (April to September).
Served to 9th November, under Major Chauvel ("Chauvel's Mounted Infantry"), in minor operations round Middelburg (Brigadier-General Barker's district), as far east as Belfast.
To 7th March,1901, under Captain H. J. L Harris (Australian Mounted Infantry), in minor operations, Machadodorp District (Brigadier-General Reeves), as far east as Krokodil Poort. Attached to Major-General W. Kitchener’s Column, 12th to 18th February.
The Contingent was in orders for Colonel De Lisle's Corps, December, 1900, but was not afforded an opportunity to join.
EXTRACT FROM COLUMN ORDERS BY MAJOR-GENERAL ET HUTTON, CB, ADC, COMMANDING.
Pretoria, 8th October, 1900. Major-General Hutton, in relinquishing command of the Force placed under his orders, desires to convey to the officers, N.C.O.'s and men of the various units who have served under his command during the campaign, his sincere and hearty congratulations upon the success that, under Providence, has attended their efforts throughout the operations in which they have been engaged. The units of Imperial troops selected for service with the Mounted Infantry and those of Colonial mounted troops, representative of Canada, of the six Colonies of Australia, and of New Zealand, have alike distinguished themselves, by their steadiness under fire, by their gallantry in the field, and by their uniform good conduct in camp. In the latter connexion it is a subject of the greatest satisfaction to note that since the formation of the lot Mounted Infantry Brigade, on 7th April, there has been almost an entire absence of military crime.
The mutual sympathy, admiration, and good will which have been so conspicuous between the Imperial and Colonial troops composing the command, must in the Major-General a opinion necessarily be conducive to that unity and solidarity of feeling which is an important and essential factor in the success of the Army of the British Empire.
The Major-General desires especially to record his appreciation and thanks for the excellent service rendered by members of the staff connected with his Force, both Imperial and Colonial, but especially to Lieut: Colonel Martyr, D.S.O., Chief Staff Officer, and to those of his headquarters staff.
Lieut.-Colonel Hutchison, Q.M.L, performed the duties of assistant staff officer to the officer in charge of the let Mounted Infantry Brigade Transport, during the advance from Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, and Pretoria (inclusive).
(True COPY).
J. B. M., Major, C.S.O., General Hutton's Column.
Pretoria, 8th October, 1900
The Contingent embarked at Cape Town in the transport Tongariro on 31st March, 1901, called at Fremantle, 20th April, and Sydney, 29th April; left by rail, let May, arrived at Brisbane 3rd May, and were disbanded on the 10th.
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. 459 - 462.
Boer War, 1899 - 1902, Australian Forces, 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry, Roll of Honour Topic: BW - Qld - 2QMI
Boer War, 1899 - 1902
Australian Forces
Roll of Honour
2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry
Poppies on the Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial, Canberra
The Roll of Honour contains the names of all the men known to have served at one time with the 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry and gave their lives in service of Australia, whether as part of the 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry or another unit during the Boer War.
Roll of Honour
Edward CRONAN, Died of Disease, Bloemfontein, 2 April 1900.
Sidney Lutrell LANDSBOROUGH, Died of Disease, Johannesburg, 15 June 1900.
James PARNELL, Died of Disease, Pretoria, 21 July 1900.
Charles Matthew REIMERS, Died of Disease, Bloemfontein, 24 April 1900.
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