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Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War In

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Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War In . ; 41 THE FIRST AUSTRALIAN HORSE.* THE " First Australian Horse " should not be confounded with the " Australian Commonwealth Horse," which consisted of service battalions of Mounted Rifles, raised after the establishment of the Commonwealth, and despatched successively different States. First to the seat of war ; the squadrons being from the The originally Australian Horse was Bush Cavalry upon the Volunteer system ; but raised chiefly subsequently converted to the partial-payment class ; and in 1895, by the exertions of Colonel J. H. K. Mackay, their first commanding officer, for service in the remote country districts of New South Wales. The movement became very popular ; and several excellent squadrons were enrolled, of a superior class of men, who were admirably mounted. They wore a distinctive and somewhat remarkable uniform of dark green with black embroidery, of the hussar pattern with handsome belts and accoutrements, including sabretaches. For the irregular cavalry they attained a high standard of proficiency ; and when war broke out they were not behind their comrades of the other arms in seeking service, or obtaining honour. The First Australian Horse despatched two Contingents ; the first of which departed on the 14th November, 1899, taking their own horses with them. It consisted of 2 officers and 32 sergeants and rank and file, with 36 horses. Of these, 1 died, 1 officer and 2 others returned to Australia, 28 were transferred to the second Contingent, and 1 officer and 1 trooper were commissioned in the Imperial Army. The second Contingent or service squadron left on the 17th January, 1900. It comprised 5 officers and 102 others, with 28 that joined subsequently from the first Contingent, and 112 horses. One man joined in Western Australia and one in officer and South Airica. Of these, 2 officers and 8 others were killed or died ; 1 in South 121 others returned to Australia ; 1 officer and 1 other quitted the corps in the Imperial Army. The Airica ; and 1 officer and 2 others were commissioned squadron arrived in Sydney on 2nd May, 1901. References to Orders. Formation .. .. G.O. (N.S.W.) 107/99 Pay „ „ 107/99,112/99 Embarkation .. .. „ „ 123/99,124/99 Officers .. .. Govt. Gazette 45 of 17.1.00 Detachment. Formation G.O. (N.S.W.) 144/99 Conditions of enrolment „ 144/99 i/oo Establishment . „ Embarkation „ 8/00 Separation allowance „ 88/00 proficient For the detachment the conditions were :—Men to be good shots and in. in. chest good riders swordsmen, of superior physique, not under 5 ft. 6 or 34 ; and bushmen, accustomed to find their way about in strange country. Horses day. to be up to 16 or 17 stone, and fit to carry that weight day after " • Allied with " The King's Colonials Yeomanry. 42 Clothing, Etc. Uniform consisted of brown F.S. jacket and pants, with puttees and hat. Vide clothing issued to 1st M.R., pa^e 57. Arms and equipment : —M.E. carbines, swords, cartridge-belts with supporting braces. Fully horsed and provided with saddles. Also provided with Regimental transport. Promotions, Etc. Lieutenant J. F. M. Wilkinson promoted Captain 1st January, 1901. Lieutenant W. V. Dowling promoted Captain 1st January, 1901. Lieutenant K. K. Mackellar was Commissioned in 6th D.G. Lieutenant J. B. N. Osborne was Commissioned in 16th Lancers 6th March, 1900. Sergeant G. A. Thomas was Commissioned in Imperial Service. Corporal J. H. M. Abbott was Commissioned in Imperial Service. Trooper H. J. Kirkpatrick was Commissioned in Imperial Service. For Promotions of N.C.O.'s and men vide Nominal Roll. War Services and Honours. Thompson, Captain R. R.—Operations in Orange Free State and Transvaal, February to November, 1900. Actions at Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, and Belfast. Queen's Medal with four clasps. Wilkinson, Captain J. F. M.—Operations in Orange Free State and Transvaal, February to November, 1900. Actions at Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, and Belfast. Queen's Medal with four clasps. Dowling, Captain W. V.—Relief of Kimberley. Operations in Orange Free State and Transvaal, January, 1900 to November, 1900. Actions at Reit River Klip Drift, Paardeberg, Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, and Belfast Dangerously wounded at Slingersfontein. Queen's Medal with five clasps. Osborne, 2nd Lieutenant J. B. N.—Operations as above. Queen's Medal with five clasps. Vaughan, 2nd Lieutenant P. W.—Operations as above. Queen's Medal with five clasps. Mackellar, Lieutenant K. K. was killed at Deedepoort, 11th July, 1900; and Ebsworth, 2nd Lieutenant A., at Bronkhurst Spruit, 24th July, 1900. House, Lieutenant H. R., A.M.C., accompanied the service squadron in the Surrey and served with it subsequently ; also with second and Commonwealth Contingents, Army Medical Corps (vide Army Medical Corps" record). Bowker, Lieutenant (Veterinary) H., proceeded to Cape Town in medical charge of horses (Surrey) ; returned next steamer. Record of Service. The first Contingent of this regiment, comprising 2 officers and 32 non-com- missioned officers and men, with Lieutenant Willoughby Dowling in command, left Newcastle, New South Wales, in s.s. Langton Grange on 14th November, and arrived at Cape Town on 13th December, 1899. On arrival they were attached to the Royal Scots Greys serving in General French's cavalry division. Present at battle of Slingersfontein on 16th January, in which they were sharply handled ; Lieutenant Dowling being severely wounded and captured, Sergeant-Major Griffin killed, and Corporal Kirkpatrick severely wounded, afterwards dying of his wounds. Sergeant-Major Griffin was the first Australian soldier who fell in the war. Present at various actions in Cape Colony during February. 43 Early in March the Service Squadron, which recently arrived from Australia, j oined. The Service Squadron, 1st Australian Horse, embarked at Sydney, on transport Surrey, on 17th January, and arrived at Cape Town on 23rd February, 1900. to Modder River, arriving there Ordered on 3rd March ; proceeded to Ossfontein and joined the Eoyal Scots Greys on 6th. Took part in the battle of Poplar Grove on the 7th March. Present at Dreifontein, 10th March, and occupation of Bloemfontein, 13th March. Formed portion of escort to Thaba 'Nchu under Major AUanby, Inniskilling Dragoons. Present at Karee Siding, 29th March, under very heavy fire for some time. Present at Sannas Post and at affair at Evans' Farm. Joined advance to Pretoria, 6th May. Took part in battle of Zand River, 10th May, when the squadron formed part of an attacking force ordered to take some kopjes which were found to be so strongly occupied that the attacking force, after suffering heavy loss, was compelled to retire. In this affair Lieutenant Wilkinson and two men were taken prisoners and two men were killed. Present at capture of Kroonstadt, 12th May. Continued with advance to Pretoria, taking part in various actions en route. Present at the surrender of Pretoria, 5th June ; release of prisoners at Waterval on 6th ; and battle of Diamond Hill on the 7th. Lieutenant Wilkinson assumed command on 2nd July. On 8th, the squadron moved to Crocodile River and took part in a smart engagement at Zilicats Nek on the 11th inst. ; also in affair at Kameel Drift on 16th., and various minor affairs during the remainder of this month. On 10th August, Lieutenant Vaughan was ordered into hospital at Pretoria, Lieutenant Wilkinson being the only officer left with the squadron. Present at battle of Belfast on 27th ; the splendid scouting of the Australian Horse enabling General French to turn the Boer right flank, and compel them to retire. The squadron was engaged almost daily during the month of September, including the occupation of Barberton. Took part in operations round Ermelo and Bethel, where some heavy fighting took place ; in fact, the squadron was engaged almost every day during October. Returned to Pretoria for a much needed rest on 29th October, and remained until 12th December, on which date it was ordered to Machadodorp, joining some Queenslanders and South Australians, and employed patrolling railway line. Ordered to Belfast on 10th February, where remounts were obtained ; and, on 14th, took part in sharp action near Belfast, the Australian Horse being complimented by General Kitchener on their gallant conduct. On 25th February the squadron entrained at Middelbcrg for Pretoria, en route for Australia, and on 31st March embarked on e.a. Tongariro at Cape Town, and arrived at Sydney on 2nd May, 1901. .,..,., 44 Engagements. First Contingent. 13th January, 1900 . Arundel and Colesberg Districts. 12th February, 1900 . • Reit River. 13th ,, ,, . Klip Drift, Modder River. 15th „ „ • Relief of Kimberley. 16th „ „ Dornfield. 18th „ ,, • Paardeberg. Both Contingents. 8th March, 1900 . Poplar Grove. 10th „ . Abraham's Krall and Dreifontein 13th ,, ,, , Surrender of Bloemfontein. 29th „ The Glen or Brandfort. olst ,, ,, . Koorn Spruit or Sannas Post. 10th May, 1900 •• . Zand River (Ventersburg-road). 12th „ . Kroonstadt, 26th „ Hartebeestfontein. 27th „ . Hartebeestfontein. 28th „ . Oliphaut's Nek. 30th „ „ •• Doornkop. 2nd June, 1900 . Johannesburg. 3rd „ „ . Fall of Pretoria. 6th „ „ •• . Waterval—Release of prisoners. Hth „ . Diamond Hill. 11th July, 1900 . Zilicat's or Nitrel's Nek. 16th „ „ . Kameel Drift. 20th „ . Olifantsfontein. 23rd „ . Olifant's River. 24th „ . Kromdraai. 27th „ •• . Near Middleberg. 31st ,, ,, Wbnderfontein. 24th August, 1900 . Geluk's Farm, near Belfast. 25th Geluk's Farm, near Belfast. 26th . Geluk's Farm, near Belfast. 27th. Belfast. 29th . Helvetia. 31st . Waterval-Onder. 4th September, 190C Bonnefoot. 5th . Carolina. Extracts from Report op Captain R. R. Thompson. At 2 a.m. on 8th March, the squadron marched with the 1st Brigade of the Cavalry Division and took part in the engagement at Poplar Grove. The first shot was fired by our artillery at 5.20 a.m., the Boers replying with shell and rifle fire. In the afternoon Trooper Palmer was shot in the head (our first casualty). This trooper behaved very pluckily when wounded ; he bandaged his own head and rejoined the ranks, until compelled to retire through loss of blood.
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