TOPIC:

The South Australian Mounted Rifles consisted of the 1st Contingent and 2nd Contingent , in total about 250 men across both contingents.


Picture courtesy of Noble Numismatics

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (69 Pte D.Thompson, Sth. Australian M.R.);
1914-15 Star (350 Dvr D.Thompson. 9/L.H Rgt A.I.F);
BWM (350 2/AM: D.Thompson 9/L.H.Rgt. A.I.F. );
VM (350 Pte D.Thompson. 9 L.H.R. A.I.F.)

David Thompson, boilermaker's assistant, born at Manchester, England; served in Boer War with South Australian Mounted Rifles; WWI: Enl.20Oct1914 at Morphetville, Sth Aust with previous service in First Contingent of SAMR of 13 months and SA Field Arty and Infy for 2 years; Emb.11Feb1915 as Driver; TOS 9LHR at Gallipoli 12Nov1915 after reverting to Private; to driver 22Feb1916; to 68Sqn Aust Flying Corps 08Dec1916 as 2Air Mechanic; re-mustered from Sailmaker to Cook 09Jun1917; RTA 31Jan1918; Disch 01May1918 for family reasons.

2AM D.Thompson was discharged for family reasons because he had 7 children, the oldest of them was 19 and the youngest was 4. His 19 year old son joined the AIF and as his wife was bed ridden with rheumatism and his relatives in South Australia could not help look after his family because of their other commitments he was granted an early discharge with the support of Major W.O.Wain, CO No 68Sqn, Aust Flying Corps.

Ex. W (Bill) Woolmore Collection.

Picture courtesy of Noble Numismatics

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (121 Pte J.E.Petree, Sth. Australian M.R.). Impressed.

First contingent. Medal verified on WO100/292p6.

Noble Numismatics added 'sic' after the surname but I am not sure why as his name looks correct.

Picture courtesy of Noble Numismatics

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (36 Pte J.H.Swanson, Sth. Australian M.R.);
KSA (2) (615 Serjt: J.H.Swanson. S. Aust: I.B.);
1914-15 Star (3501 Pte J.H.Swanson. 10/Bn. A.I.F.);
British War Medal and Victory Medal (3501 SQMS:J.H.Swanson 10 Bn. A.I.F._

James Hamilton Swanson, born Adelaide, Sth Aust 27Aug1881; served in Sth Aust Forces as a gunner in Machine Gun Corp; Enl.Oct1899 as a Private in 1 SAMR; RTA on Harlech Castle; Re-Enl.1901 as Sergeant with 6SAIB; WWI:

Enl.16Jul1915 at Keswick, Sth Aust at age 33 with occupation stated as stevedore and previous service of 3 years in Victorian School Cadets as well as other service in Sth Aust and Sth Africa; Emb.27Oct1915; TOS 50Bn 29Feb1916; to 4th Field Bakery 20Mar1916; to 1st Field Bakery 27Jul1916 and to Cpl; to Sgt 28Jul1916; to Staff Sgt 03Aug1916; to SQMS 15Oct1918; RTA 03Jul1919; Disch.14Oct1919.

It was reported in the Advertiser (Adelaide) Fri 14Jan1927, p15 that Charles Swanson had died at Norwood. It stated that he had been employed by the South Australian Railways and had been one of the foundation members of the South African Soldiers' Association of South Australia. He was buried at the West Terrace Cemetery.

I bouht Swansons group from the Armoury on Brighton Rd Brighton Adelade about 1981 and had the group remounted by the RAAF Tailors on RAAF Edinburgh in the days you could still ge favours done. At some stage his discharge papers were doing the rounds with another dealer but I could never get those ducks to line-up.

See the DCM pair to Sgt L Knapman here: www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...-war?start=396#90810

Picture courtesy of Noble Numismatics

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (104 Pte W.H.McKenzie (sic), Sth. Australian M.R.) Impressed.

Private W H MacKenzie, First South Australian Mounted Rifles, invalided to Australia 19 November 1900.