TOPIC:

Captain S C McFarlaie DSO. Transvaal Mounted Rifles

Formerly saw service with the Second South Australian Contingent and in the 6th South Australian contingent

Took up buiness in Souh Africa.

Was involved with the South Australian War Graves fund by providing free transport of the Crosses for Souh Australian men who died in the war 1899-1902.

Subsequently joined the Transvaal Mounted Rifles and was Killed in Action in 1906.
Any details of his service and the date and circumstance of his death ould be greatly apreciated.

Donald Pedler
Fellow, Military Historical Society of Australia.

Welcome to this forum Donald,
Sidney Colin McFarlane died of wounds at Eshowe on the 10th of June 1906.
He is shown on the casualty list as a Captain and on the medal roll as a Lieutenant in the Transvaal Mounted Rifles.
He had served during the Anglo Boer War as a Trooper in the 2nd West Australian Contingent up to March 1901 and then obtained a commission and commanded the South Australian Bushmen until November.
He then served with the 6th South Australian Contingent until April 1902, his QSA/KSA are verified in WO100;
WO100/292 page 112 as number 77 Trooper, WO100/292 page67 as Lieutenant, De Lisles South Australian 5th and 6th Imperial Bushmen Corps and WO100/370 page 189 as Captain with service from the 25th of February 1900 to the 3rd of November 1900 and from the 4th of May 1901 to the 31st of May 1902, he had been wounded and spent time in both Great Britain and Australia, between the two date spans!
After the war he remained in South Africa and joined the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles in 1903.
Again Welcome Donald, regards Frank.

dped wrote: Captain S C McFarlaie DSO. Transvaal Mounted Rifles

Formerly saw service with the Second South Australian Contingent and in the 6th South Australian contingent

Took up buiness in Souh Africa.

Was involved with the South Australian War Graves fund by providing free transport of the Crosses for Souh Australian men who died in the war 1899-1902.

Subsequently joined the Transvaal Mounted Rifles and was Killed in Action in 1906.
Any details of his service and the date and circumstance of his death ould be greatly apreciated.

Donald Pedler
Fellow, Military Historical Society of Australia.

dped,

Welcome to the Forum.

It will be interesting to see what can be found about his time during the Rebellion.

Best wishes
David

dped,

His death was reported on Fri 22 June 1906 in the Adelaide Register:

McFARLANE.-On the 10th June, Capt Sidney Colin McFarlane, D.S.O., killed in action in Natal. aged 29, eldest son of D. M. McFarlane, Malvern.

From the same paper, 15 Jun 1906

Miss Hettie L. Clark, Hon. secretary to the South African Graves Fund, writes: "There were many lads who found their last resting-place on the lonely South African veldt during the late Boer war. To-day the mothers of those lads are bowed in grief for the death of Captain Sydney Colin McFarlane, D.S.O., for it was he who cared for the lonely graves of their dear ones. Many an hour (when pressed for time) he spent in putting a grave in order. 'Don't thank me,' he would write, 'is it not the least I can do for an old comrade?' Then again he would write-'So-and-So.'s grave will in future be cared for by a friend who lives near by.' Always a kind message of assurance for the broken-hearted mothers. That is why they weep to-day. A good man has passed away; their soldier lads last friend."

He sounded quite a man.

Regards
David

dped,

His DSO entry is under the name MacFarlane:

MACFARLANE, S C, Lieutenant, served in the South African War,1899-1902. He was awarded the King's Medal with two clasps, and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902] "S C MacFarlane, Lieutenant, South Australian Contingent. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". He was reported in the 'Times' as killed in action under Colonel Mackenzie against Zulu rebelling in Natal in June 1906.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book)

Which is the correct spelling of his name?

Regards
David

Dear Folks,

Thanks for your welcome and information.

Yhe R egister references are very helpfuland I shall obtain hard copy for my files.

I have found a good source of photos and info in the bound volumes of the photographic pages of the Chronicle

This is where I got my first lead on McFarlane. This is the spelling of his name I havefooud so far but will try both spellings in future.

For interest I am also looking at Major V H Edwards, a South Australian who among other exploits was Officer in Charge of the outer defences of O'okiep yet did not get the medal in bronze or especially in silver to which I feel he was entitled
Dpn Pedler.