Source: P L Murray
This was originally a draft from the regiment of New South Wales Mounted Rifles, which had been in existence for some years before the war, and served upon the partial-payment system. It still figures in the Army list as the 2nd Australian Light Horse, "New South Wales Mounted Rifles," on the Militia establishment.* The squadron comprised a picked body of especially smart men ; good shots and daring riders, excellently mounted ; and it did exceptional service during the war.
The establishment authorized in the first instance was as for Lancers, omitting " Major " and substituting 93 privates for 97.
The squadron at first consisted of 4 officers and 100 others, with 104 horses and 3 carts. It was despatched on 3rd November, 1899, and was shortly afterwards followed by a draft of 25 sergeants and rank and file, with 25 horses. One medical officer joined in South Africa, and 6 men were enrolled there. Of these details, 8 were killed or died, 5 were struck off the strength in South Africa, 1 officer was commissioned in the Imperial Army, and 2 men were sent back respectively from Albany and Cape Town ; 4 officers and 113 men returned to Australia.
Subsequent to the departure of the squadron, however, a second Contingent had been formed, comprising " B," " C," and " D " Squadrons, " 1st Regiment, New South Wales Mounted Rifles," despatched on 17th January, 1900 {vide record). The first Contingent, consisting of the squadron now referred to, and a company of Infantry {vide record) which left in the same ship, became absorbed as " A " and " E " squadrons respectively of this regiment; the company being mounted at the seat of war.
As already stated, the squadron embarked at Sydney on the transport Aberdeen, 3rd November, 1899, arrived at Cape Town on 6th December, and disembarked on the following day. Embarked again at Cape Town on the Transport Orient. 13th December, 1900, called at Albany and Melbourne, arrived at Sydney, and disembarked, 8th January, 1901.
References to Orders.
Formation G.O., N.S.W., 107/99
Pay and Allowances 107/99, 112/99, 88/00
Command 116/99
Conditions of Service 107/99
Officers 110/99
Establishment 108/99
Embarkation 116/99, 123/99, 124/99
Clothing, Etc.
Uniform consisted of brown F.S. jackets and pants, with puttees and hats. Arms and equipment.—M.E. rifles and long bayonet, bandolier and cartridge-belt, with supporting braces.
Fully horsed and provided with saddles. Regimental transport was also provided.
Promotions.
The following officers were promoted or appointed in South Africa :—Captain J. M. Antill to Major; Lieutenant A. A. McLean to Captain. Corporal C. A. Lee, Sergeant H. Mcintosh, and Q.M.S. J. Newman : each to Lieutenant. For promotions amongst the N.C. officers and men, see Nominal Roll.
"War Services and Honours.
Antill, Major J. M. (Brevet Liout.-Colonel). Relief of Kimberley. Operations in Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony, from February to 30th November, 1900. Actions at Paardeburg, Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, Eland's River, Venterskroon, and Wittebergen. London Gazette, 8th February, and 16th April, 1901. C.B. Queen's Medal with seven clasps. (Major Antill served subsequently with 2nd New South Wales Mounted Rifles in Transvaal and Orange River Colony, April to August, 1901.)
McLean, Capt. A. A. (Hon. Major). Relief of Kimberley. Operations and actions as stated, except Bothaville in place of Venterskroon. (Captain McLean served subsequently in Transvaal and Orange River Colony between April, 1901, and April, 1902.) London Gazelle, 27th September, 1901. D.S.O. Queen's Medal with seven clasps. King's Medal with two clasps.
Onslow, Lieutenant A. J. M. Relief of Kimberley. Operations in Orange Free State, February to May, 1900. Actions at Paardeburg, Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, Vet River, and Zand River. Severely wounded at Groofc Vlei, 21st May, 1900. Queen's Medal with three clasps.
Tooth, Lieutenant D. K. L. Relief of Kimberley. Operations and actions as for Major Antill, except subsequent service. Wounded at Palmeitfontein, 19th July, 1900. Mentioned in despatches, 28th August, 1900. Queen's Medal with seven clasps. Commissioned in 9th Lancers.
McDonnell, Lieutenant (Surgeon) E. P. See Army Medical Corps.
Principal Operations.
Left De Aar 30th December, 1899, with Colonel Alderson, for Prieska, to cope with a rising of rebels in the district.
3rd January, 1900.—Colonel Alderson returned to De Aar. leaving the New South Wales Mounted Rifles with a small detachment of the Remington Guides to take charge of the township and district (strength 130).
13th January.—Owing to a large force of Boers (estimated 800) attacking, retired towards De Aar ; were reinforced by Colonel Alderson, and again advanced on Prieska, and after remaining a short time, marched to Orange River station.
Unit was sent to a farm at Ramah, about 15 miles east of Orange River station, to clear the Boers from the locality, where it remained till 10th February, when it was taken over by Colonel Hannay, and after fighting a severe action near Ramah, as the rear guard to Lord Roberts' column, advanced with the latter through Ram-dam and Jacobsdal to Klip Drift; where, following French's force to the relief of Kimberley, it was engaged with Cronje's army on 16th February.
Was detailed on the following day to follow Cronje, and located his laager at noon at Paardeburg, sustaining some casualties. Paardeburg followed; the commanding officer (Colonel Hannay) being killed.
On the surrender of General Cronje, the New South Wales Mounted Rifles were personally detailed by Lord Roberts to take over his laager and prisoners. It was then attached to Colonel Le Gallais' command, and joined by Colonel Knight, with the 2nd Contingent at Osfontein, 5th March. Took part in the engagements at Abrahams Kraal and Dreifontein and the march to Bloemfontein, which was reached on 14th March.
Marched to the Glen and engaged the enemy on 29th March; remained here until Ist May on outpost duty, and joined General Hutton, being part of the 2nd Corps (Colonel De Lisle). Occupied Brandfort, and present at the engagements at Vet River, and an important reconnaissance of Botha's army at Zand River, followed by a fight at Ventersburg-road on the 10th May. On arrival at
Kroonstadt on the 12 th May, were taken from General Hutton and attached to General Ian Hamilton ; marching on the 15th May through Lindley and Heilbron to the Vaal River, which was crossed on 25th May.
Engaged with the enemy at Johannesburg on 28th May, and occupied the city next day. Marched on Pretoria, 2nd June, and were the first troops to reach the city on the evening of 4th June, after some few hours opposition.
Marching through Irene, moved on and fought a severe battle at Diamond Hill on 11th and 12th June; casualties heavy, and the regiment specially mentioned in Divisional Orders by General Ian Hamilton. Followed Botha's army to Bronk-hurst Spruit, returning to Pretoria 16th June, from thence south to Heidelberg, which was taken on 23rd June ; and thence through Villiersdorp, Frankfort, and Reitz to Bethlehem on 9th June. Here De Wet was hiding in the rough country to the south, from whence he broke out on 17th June. Followed him generally north-west, with numerous rear-guard engagements, when he eventually got away to the railway at Roodeval, where he had passed the day previously, burned a train, and moved on to the Vaal.
Sent out by the General Officer Commanding as a contact squadron to recover touch with De Wet, he having been lost by the Cavalry, and located him 20 miles north-east at Vreedefort, where he was surrounded until 5th August, when, having moved north along the Vaal, the whole force of some five divisions chased him to the Megalesberg, through which at Oliphant's Nek he escaped on 15th August.
Moved westward by forced march, and relieved the Bushmen under Colonel Hore at Elands River on 16th August; thence again to Pretoria through Rustenburg on 25th August.
After taking part in sundry small reconnaissances in this district, the regiment was split into two, one part moving along the railway through Middelberg to Machadodorp, and the remainder south, where it took part in the severe fight at Rustenburg Drift, the regiment capturing a Krupp from De Wet (sent to New South Wales by the Commander-in-Chief); and to Bothaville, where there was a severe fight on 6th November. A large number of Boers were killed and taken prisoners; all their waggons, three Krupps, one 15-pounder, one 12-pounder, a Pom-pom and a Maxim were captured. Reached Kroonstadt on 17th November, joined by the remainder of the Contingent which had come from Machadodorp ; entrained to Cape Town, and embarked for Sydney 13th December, Lord Milner and several Generals coming to the transport {Orient) to say good-bye. Reached Sydney and disbanded 8th January, 1901. The Contingent lost no horses on their voyage to South Africa. No men were taken prisoners during the campaign. Its strength was 130. Its honours were :—One C.B.; one D.S.O.; three D.C.M.'s.
Corps Order by Colonel H. B. De Lisle (2nd Mounted Infantry.) 109. Elands River Station, 13th June, 1900.
General Hamilton Commanding the Force has desired the Commandant to express to all ranks of the 2nd Corps and the Pom-Pom Section " A " his congratulations on their achievement on the evening of the 12th instant at Diamond Hill, of which he has made a special report to the Field Marshal Commander-in-Chief. In publishing this, the Commandant wishes to express his high appreciation of th. way Captain Antill and the New South Wales Mounted Rifles advanced to take the hill yesterday, and the gallant way the regiment pushed forward beyond the crest under a murderous fire. He deeply regrets the casualties and especially the death of Lieutenant Drage, when bravely leading his men.
By order,
R. FANSHAW, Captain,
S.O. De Lisle's Corps.
Copy of Letter from General Ridley, Commanding 2nd Brigade, Mounted Infantry.
My dear Antill,
I cannot let you leave the country without telling how much I have appreciated the services of yourself and your men. Their gallantry, endurance, and cheeriness under very great stress have been beyond praise, and their skilful handling was admirable. Please remember me to all officers. I shall be glad to assist any of them, as far as I can, especially in any way to further any ideas they may have of making a career in this country.
Yours very sincerely,
C RIDLEY, Brigadier-General,
2nd Brigade Mounted Infantry.
Copy of Letter from General Alderson, Commanding Mounted Infantry.
Major J. M. Antill, New South Wales Mounted Infantry, has been under my command on several occasions during the past year, and I have been much impressed with the way in which he has handled and managed his men. I consider that his Contingent has been more under control and in hand than any of the Colonial troops I have seen.
Major Antill is a dashing and capable leader in action, and remarkably cool under fire. I have personally seen him carry out some difficult and dangerous tasks with great success. I am extremely sorry Major Antill and the 1st Contingent New South Wales Mounted Rifles are now leaving my command, and I am very glad to have been able to bring his services especially to the notice of the Field Marshal Commander-in-Chief.
E. A. S. ALDERSON, Brigadier-General,
Commanding Mounted Infantry Brigade.
Pretoria, 16/11/1900.
The majority of the Contingent earned the following clasps :—(1) Relief of Kimberley, (2) Paardeburg, (3) Dreifontein, (4) Johannesburg, (5) Diamond Hill, (6) Wittebergen.
Extracts from Diary of Captain J. M. Antill, New South Wales Mounted Rifles.
Honwater, 16/1/1900.—My last letter advised departure from De Aar through to Prieska on 30th ult. The column consisted of 80 mounted rifles, one company mounted infantry, one troop Remington's Guides, and two Maxim guns. The march (135 to 140 miles) was done in three days. The water is scarce in this district, necessitating fixed stages. Arrived within 15 miles of Prieska on the Orange River on the evening of the 3rd, finishing our march by 4 a.m. next day. Colonel Alderson in command, directed me to at once occupy the southern bank—the northern being in possession of the rebels—and to attack immediately they made their appearance, which was expected to be at sunrise (5 a.m.) At daylight some twenty of them showed and after a smart fire for some 20 minutes, in which five of them were wounded, they decamped, over the mountainous country towards Griguatown. I crossed over on foot, and pursued them on foot, with a troop for some distance, but could not get near them. Returning to the huts occupied by them, secured a quantity of arms, ammunition, saddlery, &c, and found a Kaffir of their party badly wounded. Started to-day to make " dampers " from wheat; bread unprocurable.
Omdraau Vlei, 22/1/1900.—Prieska having been attacked by rebels on the 13th, I retired to this place (about 40 miles south), and here I await reinforcements which arrive to-morrow from De Aar. Our relief consists of a battery R.A., one squadron of Imperial Light Horse, two companies infantry, and two companies mounted infantry. I was, fortunately, able to effect retirement without loss of life or mishap ; but only evacuated Prieska lh hours before it was occupied by the Boers in large numbers. I also got my prisoners away to De Aar, as well as 1,000 sheep. The horses we took were much needed. The men are in splendid health, two only being exempt from work. I am very pleased to state the discipline is all that can be desired, and our commanding officer has expressed his (Colonel Alderson's) very great satisfaction with the work done by our squadron. The duties are arduous for so small a unit, there being 20 miles of front to watch. This means only about two nights a week in " bed." There are also three roads diverging from here to patrol. I greatly miss veterinary assistance, as the country teems with horse sickness.
Zand River, 8/5/1900.—During an engagement yesterday, in which I was in command of the advanced guard, on coming in contact with the enemy numbering 8,000 Boers, the following were wounded-:—Sergt.-Major McAlister, Corporal Osborne, Privates Tonkin, Mitchell, and McMillan. These casualties occurred at Zand River at railway crossing. The reconnaissance was for the purpose of gaining information of the enemy, and to prevent, if possible, his destroying the bridges and culverts on the railway line. General Hutton expressed himself as pleased with the manner in which the work was carried out by the New South Wales Mounted Rifles. The men of my unit (all ranks) have done most excellent work, and have earned commendation from the various officers under whom they have worked.
12/6/1900. We are now attached to Colonel Hannay's brigade, en route to Modder River. There has been continuous marching and fighting since I last wrote. Our squadrons have acted as advance guards right through and have taken part in almost every action, and have been conspicuously steady under fire.
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