Source: Lt Col P L Murray
The New South Wales Army Medical Corps despatched three Contingents to the war (the third being styled "The Imperial Draft"), and the Australian Army Medical Corps sent one. The division was originally organized and established through the exertions of Colonel (afterwards Surgeon-General) W. D. C. Williams. He had succeeded in placing the various units of Mounted Bearer Companies, Bearer Companies, and Field Hospitals, &c, with their Field Medical Equipment, Ambulance and Wag on Transport, in so efficient a condition as regards personnel, material, and horses, that upon the initiation of the war no difficulty was experienced in embarking expeditiously, complete and thoroughly-disciplined details. These comprised officers and men who had been carefully instructed in the technique and training of their arm, and who, therefore, required no hurried supplementary curriculum. They were also supplied with all the essential equipment upon a scale of entire comprehensiveness. These were the causes which enabled the Army Medical Corps to present so fine an appearance upon their arrival at the seat of war, and which insured them so cordial a welcome by Imperial officers, who found their collaboration with the Imperial Army Medical Corps invaluable. It was thus also that they acquitted themselves with skill and gallantry that elicited such an unequalled distribution of honours.
Reference to Orders.
First Contingent.
Pay G.O. (N.S.W.), 107/99 ; 112/99 ; 88/00
Formation 107/99
Conditions of Service 107/99
Establishment 108/99
Embarkation 109/99; 123/99
Officers 110/99
Second Contingent.
Establishment G.O. (N.S.W.), 1/00
Officers 3/00
Distribution of Officers 10/00
Embarkation 8/00
Third Contingent.
Establishment G.O. (N.S.W.), 27/01
Commonwealth Contingent.
Formation G.O., 15/02
Establishment 16/02
Embarkation 25/02
Clothing, etc.
Uniform consisted of brown F.S. jacket and trousers, with puttees and hat.
Arms and Equipment.—Carbines; officers and sergeant-majors with swords and revolvers, and mounted men with revolvers ; waistbelt with supporting braces and ammunition pouch. No arms, however, were taken to the front; they were all left at Cape Town. Regimental and Ambulance Transport was provided. For rates of pay vide New South Wales Lancers.
Establishment.
The establishment approved for first Contingent was :—Half-bearer Company— 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 warrant officer, 1 quartermaster-sergeant, 4 sergeants, 4 corporals, 2 buglers and trumpeters, 1 collar-maker, 1 shoeing and carriage-smith, 38 privates and drivers; total, 54. Field Hospital—50 beds. 2 captains, 1 lieutenant, 1 staff sergeant, 3 sergeants, 4 corporals, 21 privates and drivers ; total, 32. For the Half-bearer Company only strong lusty men were accepted, or trained stretcher-bearers.
Summary.
The first Contingent departed on 28th October, 1899. It comprised 6 officers and 80 of other ranks, with 51 horses, 5 ambulance wagons, and 12 carts. Of these, 4 died ; 6 officers and 76 others returned.
The second left on 17th January, 1900—Nine officers and 85 of other ranks, with 52 horses, 5 ambulance wagons, and 12 carts—in the Moravian ; and the mounted bearer unit—Two officers, 23 other ranks, with 33 horses and 6 carts—in the Southern Cross. Of these, 2 died; 11 officers and 106 others returned.
The third (Imperial Draft) went on 17th March, 1901, there being 5 officers. 48 other ranks, with 54 horses and 2 ambulance wagons. Three were struck off the strength in South Africa ; 5 officers and 45 others returned.
The fourth (Commonwealth) departed on the 11th February, 1902, consisting of 8 officers and 102 other ranks, with 75 horses, 4 ambulance wagons, and 16 carts. One officer and 24 others were struck off in South Africa ; 7 officers and 78 others returned.
Totals: 30 officers, 338 other ranks, 265 horses, 16 ambulance wagons, 46 carts (transport wagons).
Note.—Hon. Majors McCormick and Scot-Skirving were included in the second Contingent as Special Service officers.
Nursing Sisters.
One Lady Superintendent and 13 nurses accompanied the second contingent in the Moravian, namely :—
Gould, Ellen Julia, Lady Superintendent
Johnstone, Julia Bligh, Superintendent
Austin, Anne, Sister
Frater, Penelope, Sister
Garden, Anna Gardiner, Sister
Hoadley, Emily, Sister
Lister, Elizabeth Ward, Sister
Martin, Marion Philippe, Sister
Matchett, Annie L, Sister
Newton, Nancy, Sister
Nixon, Elizabeth, Sister
Pocock, Mary Annie, Sister
Steel, Mabel, Sister
Woodward, Theresa E, Sister
Four remained in South Africa; the Lady Superintendent and the others returned. Nursing Sister E. Nixon was awarded the Royal Red Cross ; despatches, London Gazette, 27.9.01; and Nursing Sister M. A. Pocock mentioned in despatches, London Gazette, 29.7.02.
|
Name |
Original Appointment |
Subsequent Changes |
Contingents |
|
Williams, W. D. C. |
Colonel |
Surgeon-General, P.M.O. |
First |
|
Kelly, R. Vandeleur |
Major and Brevet Lieut.-Colon el |
Lieutenant-Colonel |
Second, and Imperial Draft, 13.2.01 |
|
Roth, R. E. |
Captain |
Promoted Major (P.M.O., 2nd M.I. Brigade) |
First |
|
Perkins, Alfred Edward |
Captain |
Promoted Major |
First |
|
Green, Terence Alfred |
Captain |
Promoted Major |
First, and Commonwealth Contingent |
|
Newmarch, Bernard James |
Lieutenant |
Promoted Captain |
Second |
|
Martin, Thomas Morgan |
Lieutenant |
Promoted Captain |
First |
|
Samuelson, G. S. |
Lieutenant |
Promoted Captain |
Second |
|
Howse, Neville Reginald |
Lieutenant |
Promoted Captain and Major |
Second, and A. A.M.C. |
For promotions of W.O.'s and N.C.O.'s see Nominal Roll.
Record of Service.
First Contingent.
The first Contingent Army Medical Corps for service in South Africa was mobilized commencing 23rd October, 1899, and embarked on s.s. Kent, Saturday, 28th October, 1899, leaving Port Jackson at 5 a.m. on Monday, 30th October, 1899, consisting of 6 officers and 85 N.C.O.'s and men, under the command of Colonel W. D. C. Williams, P.M.O. The s.s. Kent reached Port Elizabeth on 30th November, 1899, and received orders to proceed to Cape Town, where she arrived 2nd December, 1899. The corps disembarked the same date, and was camped at Green Point, Cape Town. Entrained for Orange River station 20th December, 1899, and arrived 23rd December, 1899. Established Field Hospital, which was opened 24th December, 1899. Detachments of Bearer Company were stationed at Zoutpans Drift and Belmont. Bearer Company at Belmont, under Major Roth, took part in engagement at Sunnyside, 1st January, 1900. Detachment of Bearer Company under Captain Edwards, took part in the relief of Kimberley, 14th February, 1900.
The corps left Orange River station with the advance of Lord Roberts, 17th February, 1900, and took part in the following engagements :—Paardeburg, 27th February, 1900; Poplar Grove, 7th March, 1900; Dreifontein, 10th March, 1900; Arrived at Bloemfontein. Established Artillery Barracks hospital.
The Bearer Company took part in several engagements around Bloemfontein from 24th April, 1900, to 1st May, 1900, viz.:—Leuwfontein, Slingersfontein, and Thaba N'chu. In beginning of May the Bearer Company, first Contingent, was attached to the Field Hospital of second Contingent, and the Field Hospital of first Contingent to Bearer Company of second Contingent by order of Colonel Williams, P.M.O.
The Contingents were engaged in the following actions:—Lindley, Brandfort, Heilbron, Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, 28th and 29th June, 1900; Pretoria, 4th June, 1900; Diamond Hill, 11th and 12th June, 1900 ; Heidelberg, 23rd June, 1900 ; Retief's Nek, 23rd and 25th July, 1900 ; Bethlehem and Caledon Valley, capture of Prinsloo, 30th July, 1900; Spitzkop (near Heilbron), 14th August, 1900; Bothaville, 16th November, 1900; Groot Dam; Vredefort; Olifant's Nek; Relief of Elands River ; Heckpoort; Magalies Valley ; Krugersdorp.
Second Contingent.
The second Contingent of the New South Wales Army Medical Corps, under the command of Lt.-Colonel R. Vandeleur Kelly, left Sydney in the s.s. Moravian, 17th January, 1900; the Bearer section on the same day in the s.s. Southern Cross.
The corps disembarked 22nd February, 1900, at East London, and proceeded the same day to Sterkstroom, and on arrival was attached to General Gatacre's column.
The members of the New South Wales Army Nursing Service Reserve were distributed between hospitals at Cape Town, East London, and Sterkstroom.
Part of the second Contingent remained at Sterkstroom in charge of the Stationary Hospital there, while the remainder advanced with the column via Bethulie Bridge to Bloemfontein, where the Bearer company and Field Hospital were interchanged with those of the first Contingent.
Part of the Contingent returned in the s.s. Harlech Castle, embarked at Cape Town 3rd November, 1900, calling en route at Albany, Adelaide, Melbourne, and arriving in Sydney 8th December, 1900, in command of Lt.-Colonel Fiaschi.
The main portion of the two Contingents returned in the s.s. Orient, embarking at Cape Town 13th December, 1900; and called at Albany and Melbourne, arriving in Sydney 8th January, 1901, under the command of Surgeon-General W. D. C. Williams, C.B. Smaller units returned in the s.s. Tongariro and Wilcannia respectively.
The Imperial Draft Contingent.
The Imperial Draft Contingent, New South Wales Army Medical Corps, under the command of Lt.-Colonel R. Vandeleur Kelly, left Sydney in the s.s. Custodian and Maplemore 17th March, 1901, while a few small details went by the s.s. British Princess, Ranee, and Antillian.
The corps disembarked at Port Elizabeth, and was attached to Colonel Williams' and Colonel Remington's Columns, which operated in the Western and Eastern Transvaal.
The corps returned in the s.s. Aurania, and disembarked at Sydney, 3rd June, 1902.
The Australian Army Medical Corps Contingent.
The Australian Commonwealth Army Medical Corps Contingent was composed of units from all the Australian States, under the command of Major T. A. Green (Field Hospital), and Major Howse, V.C. (Bearer Company).
The corps was mobilized in Sydney, and embarked at that place in the s.s. Manchester Merchant, 11th February, 1902, sailing the following day. The transport called at Hobart, Adelaide, and Fremantle, and reached Durban 17th March, 1902.
The corps disembarked 19th March, 1902, and proceeded to Newcastle, Natal, by rail. Remained at Newcastle for three weeks, and proceeded thence by rail to Klerksdorp, Western Transvaal, where the Field Hospital unit established a stationary hospital of 100 beds, while the Bearer Company was attached to Thornycroft's Mounted Infantry Column.
The Field Hospital Unit returned by the' s.s. Norfolk, embarking at Durban, 5th July, 1902, and the Bearer Company embarked at Durban in the s.s. Drayton Grange, 8th July, 1902.
War Services and Honours of Officers
First Contingent.
Williams, Surgeon-General, W. D. C, P.M.O., New South Wales Contingent to Soudan, 1885. Special Despatch, London Gazette, 5th July, 1886. Medal with clasp; Khedive's star. South African war, 1899 to 1900. Appointed by Lord Roberts on 11th January, 1900, P.M.O., Australian and New Zealand Contingents; and subsequently P.M.O. to Sir Ian Hamilton's Mounted Infantry Division ; and later as P.M.O., Sir Archibald Hunter's Field Force. Operations in Orange Free State, Transvaal, Orange River Colony, and Cape Colony. Actions at Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, Bethlehem, Wittebergen, and Wittepoort. Despatches London Gazette, 16th April, 1901. C.B. Queen's Medal with five clasps.
Fiaschi, Major T. H. Served with Italian Army in Abyssinian war, 1897-8. South African war. Operations in Orange Free State, and Transvaal, February to November, 1900. Actions at Paardeburg, Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Houtnek, Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, and Belfast. Despatches, London Gazette, 8th February, 1901, and 16th April, 1901. D.S.O. Queen's Medal with five clasps. Hon. Surgeon to His Excellency the Governor-General. (C. of A. Gazette, 8th August, 1902.)
Roth, Major R. E. Operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony, February, 1900, to November, 1900. Actions at Paardeburg, Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, Eland's River, and Bethlehem. Despatches, London Gazette, 19th April, 1901. D.S.O. Queen's Medal with six clasps.
Perkins, Major A. E. As above. Despatches, London Gazette, 19th April, 1901. D.S.O. Queen's Medal with six clasps.
Green, Major T. A. Operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony, December, 1899, to May, 1902. Actions at Paardeburg, Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, and Bethlehem. Despatches, London Gazette, 19th April, 1901. D.S.O. Queen's Medal with five clasps.
Martin, Captain T. M. Operations in Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony, February, 1900, to November, 1900. Actions at Paardeburg, Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, Bethlehem, Wittebergen, and Wittepoort. Queen's Medal with six clasps.
Edwards, Captain C. A. Relief of Kimberley. Operations in Orange Free State, and Orange River Colony, February, 1900, to November, 1900. Actions at Paardeburg, Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Vet River, Zand River, Bethlehem, Wittebergen. Queen's Medal with five clasps. (Captain Edwards went to South Africa with the Infantry, afterwards E squadron, 1st M.R.)
McDonnell, Lieutenant E. P. Relief of Kimberley. Operations in Orange Free State, February to May, 1900. Actions at Paardeburg, Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, Vet River, Zand River. Queen's Medal with six clasps. (Lieutenant McDonnell accompanied A squadron, 1st M.R., to South Africa.)
Second Contingent.
Kelly, Major and Bt. Lieut.-Colonel, R. V. Operations in Transvaal, and Orange River Colony, May, 1900, to 31st May, 1902. Actions at Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, and Bethlehem. London Gazette, 26th June, 1902. C.B. Queen's Medal with five clasps. King's Medal with two clasps.
Eames, Lieut.-Colonel, W. L'E. Operations in Orange Free State and Transvaal, February, 1900, to 27th August, 1900. Actions at Vet River, Zand River, Johannesberg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, and Belfast. Despatches, London Gazette, 27th September, 1901. C.B. Queen's Medal with five clasps.
McCormick, Hon. Major Alex. As before. Despatches, London Oazette, 27.9.01. Queen's Medal with four clasps.
Scot-Skirving, Hon. Major Robt. As above. Actions at Vet River and Zand River. Queen's Medal with four clasps.
Marshall, Captain G. A. As above. Queen's Medal with four clasps.
Marshall, Captain J. As above. Actions at Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, and Belfast. Queen's Medal with five clasps.
Cortis, Captain W. R. As above. Also actions at Bethlehem and Bothaville. Queen's Medal with five clasps.
Newmarch, Captain B. J. Operations in Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony, February, 1900, to November, 1900. Actions at Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, Bethlehem, and Bothaville, London Gazette, 27th September, 1901. Queen's Medal with four clasps.
Samuelson, Lieut. G. S. Operations in Orange Free State and Transvaal, February, 1900, to May, 1902. Actions at Paardeburg, Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, Queen's Medal with five clasps. King's Medal with two clasps.
Dick, Lieut. J. A. Operations in Orange Free State and Transvaal, February,
1900, to November, 1900. Actions as above. London Gazette, 27th September,
1901. Queen's Medal with six clasps.
Horsfall, Lieutenant A. H. Operations in Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony, February, 1900, to November, 1900. Actions at Houtnek-Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, Bethlehem, Witten-bergen. Despatches, London Gazette, 27th September, 1901. D.S.O. Queen's Medal with four clasps.
Howse, Lieutenant, N. R. Operations in Transvaal and Orange River Colony, May, 1900, to May, 1902. Actions at Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, Eland's River, Bethlehem, and Wittebergen. London Gazette, 4th June, 1900.
Queen's Medal with six clasps. King's Medal with two clasps. (Lieutenant afterwards Major) Howse went to South Africa with the A.A.M.C. Contingent.). The conduct for which Major Howeo was awarded the V.C is thus officially recorded: "During the action of Vredefort, 24th July, 1900, Captain Howse went out under a heavy crossfire and picked up a wounded man, and carried him to a place of shelter."— London Gazette, 4th June, 1901.
Imperial Draft Contingent.
Kelly, Lieut.-Colonel R. V. Vide Second Contingent.
Bean, Lieutenant H. K. Operations in Transvaal, 27th April, 1901, to 22nd September, 1901. Queen's Medal with four clasps.
Freyer, Lieutenant J. K. As above. 16th May, 1901, to July, 1901. Queen's Medal with clasps.
Barker, T. H. (Civil Surgeon Hon. Lieutenant). As above. May, 1901, to November, 1901. Queen's Medal with clasps.
Delohery, H. C. M. (Civil Surgeon Hon. Lieutenant). Operations in Transvaal from May, 1901, to May, 1902. Queen's Medal with clasps.
Commonwealth Contingent. Green, Major T. A. Vide. First Contingent. Howse, Major N. R. Vide Second Contingent.
Jermyn, Captain F. D. Operations in Cape Colony, Orange River Colony, and Transvaal, 1900 to 1902. Actions at Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Diamond Hill. Queen's Medal with five clasps.
Nyulasy, A. J. (C. S., Hon. Captain). Operations in Transvaal, 19th March, 1902, to 31st May, 1902. Queen's Medal with clasps. Cade, D. D. (C. S., Hon. Captain). As above. Formby, H. H. (C. S., Hon. Captain). As above. James, W. A. (C. S., Hon. Captain). As above.
Ebcrling, Lieut. Quarter-Master Richard. Operations in Cape Colony, Orange River Colony, and Transvaal, 1899 to 1902. Queen's Medal with four clasps.
Extracts from Reports of Colonel W. D. C. Williams, Principal Medical Officer, New South Wales Army Medical Corps.
Orange River, 7th January, 1900.—Our first camp at Green Point, about l£ miles from the wharf, and about 3 miles from town. After duly reporting arrival to C. of S. and Surgeon-General of Army Corps and the G.O.C. of L. of C, I was informed that they had given the A.A.M. Corps the highest post of honour they could, by attaching us to the Field Army under Sir Redvers Buller.
Our inspection was all that could be desired, and Colonel Stevenson, the Inspecting Officer, was profuse in his compliments.
The order to move on to Orange River came just before dark. I had reveille sounded at 3.30 a.m. on 21st December, 1899, and at 7.20 a.m. stores were packed and camp cleaned up, and we were at the railway station at five minutes before 8 a.m.—our orders being to entrain at 8 a.m.
On arriving at Orange River about 8 a.m. on the 23rd December, we detrained and moved down to a point 1J miles from the station, and pitched the Bearer Company camp and Field Hospitals as two distinct units. The Field Hospital was ready to receive patients at 5 p.m. the same day.
They were very short of Field Hospital accommodation, and we had orders to receive all the sick of the Royal Scots Greys, No. 37 R.F.A. Howitzer Battery, Imperial Mounted Infantry, Queensland Mounted Infantry, Remington's Guides, and the sick and wounded coming in by train from the north.
Naturally, we rapidly filled up, and had to extend our accommodation to nearly double our original scale. Major-General Elliott Wood, R.E., is in command here, and has made great demands on our Bearer company. Captains Roth and Martin, with three ambulances, one cart, and stretcher party, left here 14 days ago with a flying column, and did good work at the Sunnyside fight.
Another wagon and party Avent with the Scots Greys the next day to Douglas. On Friday, the 5th, Captain Perkins and Lieutenant Edwards, with ambulance and cart transport and stretcher party, moved off at 8 p.m. with a flying column of mixed arms under Colonel Alworth, north of Orange River. Captain Green, with two carts for ambulance transport and one transport cart and stretcher party, moved off at 4 a.m. next day, with another column of 700 men under Lieut.-Colonel Davidson, R.H.A., to a point south of Orange River, meeting the northern force by a R.E. pontoon bridge. This leaves only Major Fiaschi and myself to run the Field Hospital, and as we have twelve eases of enteric fever and over twenty cases of dysentry, besides a large number of other cases, including officers, Ave are busy to a degree.
I have visited, by direction of the Principal Medical Officer, Orange River, the New South Wales Lancers and the New Zealanders at Arundel, and have adjusted one or two items re the medical services there.
The Principal Medical Officer next sent me to Belmont, Enslin, and the Modder, to visit Australian troops there.
23rd February, 1900.—I was instructed by the Principal Medical Officer, South Africa, to proceed from Orange River to Cape Town to meet the New South Wales Army Medical Corps units which arrived at Cape Town on the 17th inst. by the transports Moravian and Southern Cross. I was instructed to distribute them as follows :—
Moravian unit to proceed by sea to East London, and thence to Sterkstroom, and hand over to General Gatacre. This was in accordance with special instructions from Lord Roberts, Commander-in-Chief. As this unit was most urgently needed, the Moravian was turned round and left for East London a few hours after it3 arrival off Cape Town. Lieutenants Samuelson and Dick, New South Wales Army Medical Corps, remained behind and proceeded north for duty with the New South Wales Lancers and No. 1 Field Hospital (New South Wales).
From the composite Half-Bearer Company and Field Hospital units, I was instructed to detail for special temporary duty at the stationary 100-bedded Field Hospital two officers and twelve N.C.O.'s and men.
This was done, with Lieut.-Colonel Kelly in command. Miss Gould (New South Wales), Lady Superintendent Army Nursing Service Reserve, and three nursing sisters (New South Wales) are at this hospital. Miss Gould is in nursing charge of the District (Orange River).
Four (New South Wales) nursing sisters were detailed for duty at the Base Hospital, East London, and six nursing sisters went to the General Hospital, Wynberg.
Bloemfontein, 4th April, 1900.—The Commander-in-Chief paid an official inspection to the hospital we have established here in the Orange Free State Artillery Barracks. A wretchedly dirty and out-of-repair structure, when we took it over; but by heavy fatigue parties and the help of the Royal Engineers, we have made it passable. We run 150 beds. Lord Roberts went round each ward and cheered up the wounded, and at the end of the inspection graciously informed me that he was extremely pleased with all he had seen, and complimented the staff of the hospital on the manner in which they had carried out their difficult work. His Excellency also spoke in high terms of our New South Wales ambulance wagons, and stated he intended to recommend them as a pattern.
