"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.
Friday, 26 December 2003
The NSW Lancers, South African War, Contents Topic: BW - NSW - Lancers
Boer War - New South Wales
New South Wales Lancers
Contents
New South Wales Lancers, 1885-1903 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1903-1912 7th Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1912-1919 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1919-1929 1/21st Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1929-1935 1st Light Horse Machine Gun Regiment, Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1936-1942 1st Armoured Regiment, Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1942-1948 1st Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1948-1956 1/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1956-
[The elephant's head used on the badges is taken from the family crest of Lord Carrington, Governor of New South Wales from 1885 - 1890 and was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Regiment from 1885 until 1928.]
The NSW Lancers, South African War, Outline Topic: BW - NSW - Lancers
New South Wales Lancers
South African War
Outline
New South Wales Lancers, 1885-1903 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1903-1912 7th Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1912-1919 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1919-1929 1/21st Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1929-1935 1st Light Horse Machine Gun Regiment, Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1936-1942 1st Armoured Regiment, Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1942-1948 1st Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1948-1956 1/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1956-
[The elephant's head used on the badges is taken from the family crest of Lord Carrington, Governor of New South Wales from 1885 - 1890 and was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Regiment from 1885 until 1928.]
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. This extract is from Murray, pp. 4 - 6.
THE NEW SOUTH WALES LANCERS.
The draft of Lancers which from force of circumstances was the first to go to the front from Australia represented the senior cavalry regiment of New South Wales, now the 1st Australian Light Horse (New South Wales Lancers). It was raised in 1883, first as Light Horse, but in 1885, after the return of the Contingent from the. Saurian, it was converted into Lancers, as a compliment to the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, which were encamped with the New South Wales Artillery at Handoub. The uniform of that regiment was also adopted with slight variations; but a few years later it was relinquished for the distinctive drab with scarlet plastrons. (The Regiment is allied with "King Edward's Horse" the King's Overseas Dominions Regiment.)
A squadron of 100, under Captain C. Cox, had proceeded to England in 1899, to take part in the annual military tournament at Islington, and for training at Aldershot; the expense of which was defrayed entirely by the regiment. Upon the war breaking out, permission to volunteer was cabled for and acceded to. The detail, with their horses, then proceeded to Cape Town, where they were enthusiastically received, equipped with the service uniform and accoutrements, and despatched to the scene of hostilities.
The subsequent drafts were supplied with horses, but in many instances spare chargers were taken,
PAY.
Rates of pay (as sanctioned by GA. 107, 21.10.99) "for members of Partially-paid or Volunteer Forces,” were as follows:-
Buglers and privates - 2s. 3d. per day, with 2s. 3d. deferred pay;
Corporals - 4s. 9d, and 2s. 3d.;
Sergeants - 5s. 9d. and 2s. 3d.;
Company Sergeant-Majors or Colour-Sergeants - 6s. 3d. and 2s. 9d.;
Staff Sergeants - 6s. 6d. and 3s. 6d.;
Warrant Officers - 7s, 6d. and 4s.;
Lieutenants - 16s. and 3s. deferred pay;
Captains - 20s. and 3s. 6d..
N.C, officers and men of the Permanent Farces would receive, from date of landing, Imperial rates of pay in addition to existing rates.
"Separation allowance" was also granted to wives and families of N.C.O.'s and soldiers serving in South Africa, at varying rates according to rank. If in occupation of quarters or drawing lodging allowance, the wife received 4d. per diem; for each girl under 16 years 1½d. per diem; each boy under 14: years, 1½d. per diem. When not in occupation of quarters or receipt of lodging allowance, payment was made at rates varying from warrant officers' wives 2s. 3d. per diem, to privates' wives, 1s. 1d.
Pay was issued by the Imperial Government after the landing of Contingents at Imperial rates. These varied from Lieutenant-Colonel, 28s. per diem and 4s, field allowance, to subaltern, 15s. and, 2s. 6d.; and from 9s., R. sergeant-major. to 5s. privates. Buglers, saddlers, and farriers, 1s. per diem extra.
ESTABLISHMENT.
The following was the establishment authorized for Lancer Contingent, in the first instance:-
1 Major (temporary),
1 Captain,
3 Subalterns,
1 Squadron Sergeant Major,
1 Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant,
2 Staff-Sergeants,
4 Sergeants,
2 Sergeant-Farriers,
2 Shoeing Smiths,
2 Buglers,
8 corporals,
97 Privates, including cooks and batmen, 1 Saddler.
Total, 125.
Men volunteering were required to be from 20 to 40 years of age, preferably single, and good shots. Horses brought in had to be for M.I. work, and pass veterinary examination.
REFERENCES TO ORDERS.
Formation, G.O., N.S.W. 107/99
Pay, G.O., N.S.W. 107/99, 112/99
Conditions of Service, G.O., N.S.W. 107/99
Command, G.O., N.S.W. 113/99
Establishment, G.O., N.S.W. 108/99
Embarkation, G.O., N.S.W. 109/99
Officers, G.O., N.S.W. 110/99
DETACHMENT.
Embarkation, G.O., N.S.W. 8/00, 22/00
Personnel, G.O., N.S.W. 22/44
Separation allowance, G.O., N.S.W. 88/00
CLOTHING, ARMS, ETC.
Uniform consisted of brown F.S. jacket and pants, with puttees and hats. Arms and equipment:
M.E. carbines,
swords,
shoulder bandoliers,
waistbelt, and
braces.
Fully horsed and provided with saddles. Also provided with regimental transport.
UNITS.
The first draft arrived at Cape Town from England on 2nd November, 1899; it consisted of 2 officers and 69 sergeants and rank and file, with their horses. Of these, 2 were killed or died, 2 were transferred to S.A.C., leaving 2 officers and 65 others, who returned.
The second draft left New South Wales an 28th October, 1899;.it consisted of 5 officers, 36 others, with 160 horses. Three were killed or died; 1 was transferred, 1 was commissioned in Imperial Army; 4 officers and 32 others returned.
The third draft left New South Wales on 17th January, 1900; it consisted of 17 sergeants and rank and file, with 15 horses; 1 man was killed or died, 16 returned.
The fourth draft departed 16th February, 1900; it comprised 1 officer and 40 others. Total: 8 officers, 162 others, with 246 horses.
The squadron arrived home on 6th December, 1904, and 8th January, 1901.
RECORD OF SERVICE.
The detachment of this regiment undergoing a course of training at Aldershot at the outbreak of the war volunteered for active service in South Africa; the offer being accepted, they embarked on 10th October, 1899, and arrived at Cape Town 2nd November, 1899.
In order to complete and maintain the service establishment of the unit, additional detachments included:
Second Draft - embarked at Sydney on transport Kent on 28th October, arriving at Cape Town 1st December;
Third Draft - embarked at Sydney on transport Moravian on 17th January, arriving at Cape Town on 18th February; and
Forth Draft - embarked at Sydney on transport Australian on 16th February, arriving at Cape Town 19th March, 1900.
The Aldershot detachment after its arrival was attached to General French's command, and was employed on patrol duty in the Colesberg district. On the 6th December, the detachment, under Major Lee, with remounts for the whole squadron, arrived at Naauwpoort, Major Lee assuming the command of the squadron.
Present at capture of Arundel on 8th December, and took part in several minor actions in the vicinity.
A detachment of 28 men, under Lieutenant Osborne, temporarily attached to Lord Methuen's command, took part in the battles of Belmont, Grasspan, Modder River, and Magersfontein, and afterwards rejoined the squadron.
On 2nd January, 1900, a supply train was, by some means started from Rensburg Siding, and ran on a down grade close to the Boer position; the squadron was ordered to recover or burn the trucks. As some of them were derailed, it was found impossible to recover them; they were, consequently, burned under a very heavy fire from the enemy.
On the 16th January a troop of Lancers and Australian Horse, under Lieutenant Dowling of the latter regiment, when returning to camp at Slingersfontein, was surrounded; and after a sharp fight, in which Sergeant-Major Griffin of the Australian Horse was killed, Corporal Kilpatrick of the Lancers mortally wounded, and Lieutenant Dowling and Trooper Roberts severely wounded, the patrol surrendered.
On the 7th February the squadron proceeded to Belmont, and on the 13th were attached to Scots Greys, forming part of the 1st Cavalry Brigade.
Present at the relief of Kimberly on 15th February, action at Dronfield on 16th February, and at the operations which led to the surrender of General Cronje at Paardeburg. Took part in the battle of Poplar Grove on 7th March, and assisted to turn the: enemy's left flank.
Present at Dreifontein on 10th, and at the occupation of Bloemfontein on 12th March.
Captain Nicholson, with a detachment of 40 N.C. officers and men from New South Wales, joined on 5th May.
The squadron was now attached to the Inniskillings, under Major Allamby and took part in the advance on Pretoria. Kroonstadt was occupied on 12th May; the Vaal River crossed on 24th May. Took part in heavy fighting at Klip River on 28th May, when Major Lee was complimented, by General French on the excellent work of the squadron while with the advance guard.
Took part in operations in the vicinity of Johannesburg, including the severe action at Valkheuvel Poort on 3rd June, when the Australians were again thanked by General French for their gallant conduct.
Present at the release of prisoners at Waterval on the 6th June. On the 9th July reinforced General Sutton at Oliphantsfontain, and was engaged with the enemy on 11th and 12th.
Took part in various engagements in the eastern Transvaal, including Lang Kloof and Swartz Kop, also in the operations in the Carolina and Barberton districts.
The squadron embarked at Cape Town on transports Harlech Castle on 11th November, and Orient on 13th December, and arrived in Sydney on 6th December, 1900 and 8th January, 1901, calling at Albany, Adelaide, and Melbourne en route.
New South Wales Lancers, Nominal Roll Topic: BW - NSW - Lancers
New South Wales Lancers
South African War
Nominal Roll
New South Wales Lancers, 1885-1903 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1903-1912 7th Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1912-1919 1st Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1919-1929 1/21st Australian Light Horse Regiment, 1929-1935 1st Light Horse Machine Gun Regiment, Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1936-1942 1st Armoured Regiment, Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1942-1948 1st Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1948-1956 1/15th Royal New South Wales Lancers, 1956-
[The elephant's head used on the badges is taken from the family crest of Lord Carrington, Governor of New South Wales from 1885 - 1890 and was appointed Honorary Colonel of the Regiment from 1885 until 1928.]
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. 437 - 440.
New South Wales Lancers
507 Trooper Frederick AVARD
555 Trooper Stanley Ernest AKERS
946 Trooper Joseph N ALCOCK
Lieutenant George Henry ALLAN
414 Trooper Otto AMBRUSTER
964 Trooper Henry ANDERSON
885 Trooper Herbert Arthur ARTLETT
507 Trooper Frederick AVARD
821 Trooper Allan G BAILY
921 Trooper Sydney N BAILY
Trooper G. BALY
226 Trooper Robert David BARCLAY
213 Trumpeter Corporal Alick S BARNETT
940 Trooper HenryC BEECHING
890 Trooper George BELL
145 Trooper Arthur William BLENCOWE
530 SqnQMSgt Ernest Alfred BLOW
887 Trooper Alf. Theodore BORMAN
817 Trooper William H BRADY
935 Trooper John BRAID
936 Trooper Thomas William BRECKENRIDGE
450 Trooper Patrick BRESNAHAN
629 Trooper Phillip BREW
895 Trooper Alf. Arthur BURGIN
749 Trooper John J BYRNE
271 Sergeant John WW CAMPBELL
762 Trooper William Beveridge CARTER
939 Trooper Walter William CAVILL
892 Trooper William CHAPMAN
805 Trooper Osborne CHILCOTT
951 Trooper Charles EA CLARK
476 Trooper James CLARKE
961 Corporal John Bartholomew CONOLLY
Captain Charles Frederick COX
725 Trooper George R CUMMINGS
916 Trooper Herbert H CUTHBERT
757 Trooper Ronald H CUTHBERT
763 Trooper Arthur Denis DALEY
911 Trooper Alfred Ernest DARE
449 Trooper Walter George DAVEY
520 Trooper Thomas A DICKSON
905 Trooper Martin Henry DONOHOE
477 Sergeant John Sylvester DOOLEY
750 Trooper Guy DOUDNEY
878 Trooper James ELLIOTT
891 Trooper Walter M ELLIS
860 Trooper William ELSTON
923 Trooper Bertie F EVANS
609 Corporal Samuel Reginald FALLICK
235 Trooper Percy FAULKNER
317 Trooper George T FENWICK
960 Trooper Cecil Ernest FERRIS
599 Trooper Franz Gustav AL FETTING
800 Trooper Carlo Ferruccio FIASCHI
Warrant Officer Charles Edward FISHER
635 Trooper Alfred FITZSIMMONS
952 Trooper Joseph Alfred FITZSIMONS
415 Lance Corporal John FORD
897 Trooper John Milvington FORD
CF FOX
237 Sergeant George Edward GOULD
893 Trooper Lewis Henry GRIFFITHS
947 Trooper Charles E HAIGH
724 Trooper George HAKEN
67 Corporal Rowland Edward HARKUS
938 Trooper Thomas HARLEY
546 Trooper Bernard H HARRISON
Second Lieutenant Reginald Manning HERON
Trooper J. HEUSTON
958 Trooper George Charles HILLIS
68 Trooper William H HILLIS
899 Trooper Henry Ernest HINDMARSH
822 Trooper Daniel Town HOLBOROW
742 Corporal Charles HOPF
898 Trooper Ernest F HOPKINSON
60 Sergeant Ernest AE HOUSTON
818 Trooper John HOUSTON
780 Trooper Arthur WS JAMES
732 Trooper James JOHNSON
579 Trooper John JOHNSON
880 Trooper Robert M JOHNSTON
898 Trooper John Charles JONES
948 Corporal Charles E JUNOR
755 Corporal Frederick Isaac KILPATRICK
919 Trooper Augustus H KING
590 Trooper Thomas Satchell KNIGHT
896 Trooper Charles Valentine LAMB
1000 Trooper Walter Percy LANCE
802 Trooper Ernest LEE
Major George L LEE
263 Sergeant Angus LIVINGSTONE
71 Sergeant Elias LUKE
941 Trooper John E LUMLEY
788 Trooper Mathew Montgomery MCBARON
304 Sergeant Peter MCDONALD
953 Trooper John MCGEE
494 Trooper Michael MCGILL
764 Trooper Alexander MCKINNON
957 Trooper Norman James MCKINNON
824 Trooper Arthur MCMANUS
884 Trooper Allan WG MCMILLAN
825 Trooper James Ballintyne MCPHERSON
283 Trooper Kenneth Ross MCPHERSON
922 Trooper William N MCPHERSON
Vet. Lieutenant Frank Whiddon MELHUISH
1001 Trooper Charles MIDDLETON
623 Trooper Nathaniel MILLING
920 Trooper Oliver Louis MILLING
489 Sergeant William MOFFATT
882 Corporal William J MOON
Staff Sergeant George Edward MORRIS
244 Trooper Thomas C MORRIS
325 Sergeant Alfred GL MORRISON
823 Trooper Bede John MOYLAN
182 Corporal William MULLARD
945 Trooper Edgar Charles MUNRO
826 Trooper Albert Ed. Croft MYERS
Lieutenant Charles Edward NICHOLSON
Second Lieutenant Septimus Frank OSBORNE
781 Trooper Roger Wingham PALMER
222 Trumpeter William PAPWORTH
761 Trooper John Harold PEEK
620 Trooper Thomas PESTELL
886 Trooper Andrew Bannantyne PETTIGREW
Lieutenant PRICE
877 Trooper Gilbert Edward Layton RAMSAY
498 Trooper James RANKIN
Staff Sergeant Henry T READ
Second Lieutenant Charles William Fyshe Palmer ROBERTS
New South Wales Lancers, Roll of Honour Topic: BW - NSW - Lancers
Boer War, 1899 - 1902
Australian Forces
Roll of Honour
New South Wales Lancers
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 New South Wales Lancers and gave their lives in service of Australia, whether as part of the New South Wales Lancers or another unit during the Boer War.
The NSW Lancers, Town and Country Journal, 9 December 1899 Topic: BW - NSW - Lancers
Boer War - New South Wales
The NSW Lancers
Boer War Participation through Contemporary Newspapers
The NSW Lancers at the Remount Camp, Stellenbosch.
[From: The Town and Country Journal, 23 December 1899, p. 22.]
The following piece is an extract from The Town and Country Journal, 9 December 1899, p. 13.
The Lancers at the Cape.
MELBOURNE, Sunday. - Files of Cape papers to hand to-day give accounts of the reception by the Mayor of the N.S.W. Lancers at Cape Town.
The "Cape Times," in its report, says:
On the Mayoral party boarding the Nineveh the Lancers were drawn up on the main deck forward, and the Mayor, from the top of the fore hatch, addressed them in tones vibrating with feeling. The troopers, in their reddish-brown uniform with scarlet facings and slouched hat, topped by immerse plumes of cocks' feathers, looked the picture of health and energy. They were drawn up four deep in front of the Mayor, each man with a lance in his hand. It was a fresh kind of applause which they introduced in the pauses of the speeches. The hammering of the lance buttes on the planked deck conveyed their meaning perhaps better than any amount of common "hear, hear" would have done. When the troopers had come to attention, the Mayor (Councillor Ball) said: "Fellow colonists, the citizens of Cape Town desire to extend you a very hearty welcome to the shores of South Africa. They appreciate the spirit which prompted you to offer your services to our beloved Sovereign Queen in these trying circumstances. It is not the first occasion on which the colonies have offered to assist the mother country, out this seems to be a specially unique occasion, one that would have drawn together, if there were any need for it, every portion of her Majesty's dominions. (Cheers.) One and all have readily offered their services at this time. The Empire has often been spoken of as consisting of dependencies. But I think the demonstration here to-day, and your presence, and that of others to follow, will prove they are not merely dependencies, but that they realise and recognise they are part and parcel of the great Empire. (Cheers.) We are parcel of the great Empire. (Cheers.) We are not bound together with iron bands, it is true, but we are bound together by stronger ties than iron bands. The long reign of our beloved Sovereign the Queen, indeed, has been a glorious one, and she has won the affection of all her subjects. But there is a flag as well. (Cheers.) Wherever we see that floating we are proud to look upon it, because we know it speaks to us of liberty, of Justice - yes, of honest attempt to better her Majesty's subjects, and to make them happy. (Cheers.) I wish you to-day, fellow colonists, God speed in your work. I trust you will be spared to return safely, and to share in the honours of having endeavoured to maintain the authority, dignity, and honour of this great Empire, of which you form part with us, and not only that, but to carry away with you the gratitude of the citizens of South Africa for your timely assistance. (Cheers.) I wish you again God-speed. (Renewed cheers.)
Mr. O'Reilly, Deputy-Mayor, also spoke, and Captain Cox replied on behalf of himself and his men. He said some few of them would not for certain circumstances be able to go to the front, but the troops as a whole were ready for the work, and they might be trusted to go wherever, they were led. (Cheers.) As bushmen and men used to horses he had no fear of them, and he felt certain they would follow any body anywhere they were asked to follow. (Cheers.) In the afternoon the men were brought ashore and entrained for Wynberg. The quay aides were thick with spectators, and all along the dock road there were thousands of people who cheered and cheered again as the Australians went by with a jaunty swinging stride, their lances at the "carry," and looking as fit as a steel wire. All the war, to the station, and especially down at the to pier end of Adderley Street, the crowd was gigantic and the enthusiasm overwhelming.
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.
