"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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1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Tasmania, Outline Topic: BW - Tas - 1ACH
1st ACH (Tas)
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Tasmania
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. 568.
First Battalion Australian Horse Tasmanian Half Unit.
Tasmania furnished one company (or more strictly one half-company) as her quota to the First Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse. For organization, equipment, pay, etc., vide that Battalion, New South Wales, page 166. Mere selected were required to be good shots and good horsemen; those of previous service in South Africa had preference if medically fit. Married men were not enlisted and unmarried officers had preference, other conditions being equal.
Establishment :- 1 captain, 2 subalterns, 1 sergeant-major, 1 quartermaster sergeant, 2 sergeants, I farrier-sergeant, 2 abasing-smiths, 1 saddler, 1 bugler, 3 corporals, 47 privates, including 2 paid lance-corporals; total, 62. There were not any Tasmanians on Battalion staff. The condition of enrolment was 12 months or the duration of the war; and payment was by Imperial. Government Commonwealth Treasurer's authority, No. 7, 1901-2. Many of the N.C.O.'s and men had served in previous Contingents.
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.
Departure and Return
The half-company left on the 16th February, 1902, comprising - 3 officers and 39 others, with 63 horses. Two died; 3 officers, 57 others returned. There were not any promotions of officers. For promotions of N.C.O.'s and men vide nominal roll.
Service
"E" Company, 1st Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, embarked at Hobart on transport Manchester Merchant, 16th February, 1902, and arrived at Durban on 14th March.
From 15th April to 28th June, served with the Australian Brigade, under the command, first of Colonel De Lisle, and latterly of Colonel Williams ; the Brigade forming during the same time part of Colonel Thorneycroft's Force. Participated in operations in the Transvaal, and the great final " drive," vide 1st Australian Commonwealth Horse, New South Wales.
Embarked on transport Drayton Grange at Durban, 11th July, and arrived in Tasmania, 9th August, having visited en route, Albany and Melbourne. Disbanded, 19th August, 1902.
War Services And Honours.
One officer had passed through previous service in the First Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen, which see; the others were awarded Queen's Medal with clasp.
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Tasmania, Nominal Roll Topic: BW - Tas - 1ACH
1st ACH (Tas)
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Tasmania
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, p. 569.
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse, Tasmania
1229 Saddler Robert Henry BARNES
Lieutenant Willian Kenyon BARWISE
1192 Private William BERWICK
1241 Private Mortimer Cephas BLACKETT
1199 Private Norman Fergus BLACKLOW
1233 Private Arthur Allen BLYTH
1190 Shoeing Smith Henry Edward BRANSGRAVE
1181 Company Sergeant Major Frederick Charles BRIANT
1213 Private Walter Arnott BROOKE
1211 Private Clifford Styant BROWNE
1221 Private Alfred James BROWNLEY
1182 Private John Henry CLERKSON
1191 Shoeing Smith Albert Edward COSTELLO
1218 Private Thomas Ray CROOKS
1220 Private Arthr Ernest DINEEN
1222 Private Morton John DUNLOP
1212 Private Albert Edward FITZALLEN
1235 Private Francis Arthur FITZGERALD
1183 Private Garnet Rupert GOURLAY
1195 Private John Leslie GOYEN
1228 Private James GUERIN
1223 Private Edward Leslie Simpson HAIGH
1206 Private Harold Leslie HANIGAN
1208 Private Alexander McGregor HEPBURN
1207 Private Thomas James HOPKINS
1202 Private Charles JEPSON
1239 Private Joseph Thomas JOHNSON
1203 Private Aloysius JOYCE
1237 Lance Corporal Joshua James JOYCE
1207 Trumpeter Harry KENT
1238 Sergeant Cyrus LADE
1236 Corporal Harry Elvyn LARNER
1193 Lance Corporal Robert LAWSON
1242 Farrier Sergeant Alfred LETTE
1225 Private Mitchell LLOYD
1188 Lance Corporal Athol Talbot MANING
1201 Private Henry James MARSHALL
1200 Private John MCCREA
1240 Private William Alfred MCGUIRE
1231 Private Malcolm Charles MCINNES
1227 Private Henry Arthur MORGAN
1189 Private Reginald Alfred MORLEY
1184 Company Quartermaster Sergeant Frank Edward MORRISBY
Boer War, 1899 - 1902, Australian Forces, 1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Tasmania, Roll of Honour Topic: BW - Tas - 1ACH
Boer War, 1899 - 1902
Australian Forces
Roll of Honour
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Tasmania
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 Tasmania and gave their lives in service of Australia, whether as part of the 1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse Tasmania or another unit during the Boer War.
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