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1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland
Outline
Map illustrating the activities of the Australian Commonwealth Horse in South Africa, 1902.
[From: Chamberlain, M., The Australians in the South African War 1899-1902, Canberra, 1999.]
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, p. 522.
First Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland Unit.
Constituted "D" Company of the 1st Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, consisting of three companies New South Wales, one Queensland, and one Tasmanian.
For details of establishment, pay, clothing, and equipment, &c., vide 1st Australian Commonwealth Horse (New South Wales), p. 166.
The Queensland officers of regimental staff were Lieut: Colonel J. S. Lyster, commanding battalion, and Captain J. Gillies, Army Medical Corps. The company was short of one officer, in consequence of the resignation of a subaltern before embarkation.
Many of the N.C.O.'s and men had served in previous Contingents.
Departure And Return.
The company left Brisbane 26th January, 1902; Sydney (with New South Wales Contingent), 18th February, 1902; with 7 officers, and 116 others; 124 horses. Of these, 1 officer resigned, 2 privates died, 1 officer 37 others were struck off in South Africa; 5 officers, 77 others returned.
Service.
By rail from Brisbane, 26th January, 1902; embarked on transport Custodian (Sydney), 18th February, 1902. With Colonel De Lisle's, also Colonel Williams' Column. Took part in driving operations in Western Transvaal, in the former officer's Column, which formed part of a force consisting of 13 columns under Lieut.-General Sir Ian Hamilton. (vide 1st Australian Commonwealth Horse, New South Wales),
Operations.
This battalion proceeded on 19th March, 1902, by train from Durban to Newcastle, and thence to Klerksdorp on 10th April, arriving at the latter place on the 13th. Joined Column under the command of Colonel De Lisle, which formed part of Thorneycroft’s brigade.
This Column was inspected by Lord Kitchener on 22nd April, who expressed himself as pleased with the appearance of men and horses.
The Column was employed clearing the district north of Klerksdorp, and took part in a drive which commenced on 7th May, moving westward to the Kimberley - Mafeking railway blockhouse line. In this, 251 prisoners, including General De la Rey's brother, were captured, also 300 horses, 144 rides and bandoliers, 6,000 rounds ammunition, and a large quantity of stock.
Colonel De Lisle, who was leaving for England, handed over his command to Colonel Williams. The Column then returned to Klerksdorp, reaching that place on the 21st May, where the regiment remained until the declaration of place, when they were ordered to Elandsfontein to prepare for return to Australia.
The regiment proceeded by rail to Newcastle on 29th June, and to Durban on 9th July, for embarkation.
Extract from Field Order
"Devondale, Transvaal,
"12th May, 1902.
“The following telegram hoe been received from General Sir Ian Hamilton, K.C.B., D.S.O.:
"The following is the general result of recent operations. Killed, 1; prisoners, 354; rifles, 212; horses, 326; mules, 95; donkeys, 20; wagons, 175; Cape carts, 81 ; cattle, 3,500; sheep, 13,000; small arm ammunition, 8,340 ; trek oxen, 106. Amongst prisoners is Jan de la Rap, elder brother of General.'
“Since telegraphing this information to Pretoria, General Ian Hamilton has received the following telegram from Lord Kitchener:
"Capital result. Tell troops I highly appreciate their exertions and consider result very satisfactory. We have now since Methuen's mishap taken 880 out of De la Rey's forces.'
“As there is a considerable proportion of new troops in the command, the General Officer Commanding Mobile Columns, W.T., thinks that Column Commanders would do well to explain to them that the General Officer Commander-in-Chief is not in the habit of bestowing indiscriminate praise; and that, on the contrary, the compliment which has been paid this force is a very rare occurrence."
The Company embarked at Durban on 11th July, 1902, in transport Drayton Grange; touched at Albany, 30th July; Melbourne, 7th August; Sydney, 10th; Brisbane, 13th.
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland, Nominal Roll Topic: BW - Qld - 1ACH
1st ACH (Qld)
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland
Nominal Roll
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. 523 - 525.
Boer War, 1899 - 1902, Australian Forces, 1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland, Roll of Honour Topic: BW - Qld - 1ACH
Boer War, 1899 - 1902
Australian Forces
Roll of Honour
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland
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 1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland and gave their lives in service of Australia, whether as part of the 1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Queensland or another unit during the Boer War.
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.
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