Extracts and Comments
(from Sources as shown) | |
B5172: Brisbane Qld.
Smith2: Doyle's Scouts, King's South Africa medal and 2 clasps.
URL1: age 37 1 year 7 days service returned per 'Tongariro' arrived in Brisbane 3.5.1901 discharged 17.5.1901.
URL3: photo #50.
URL4: Trooper ML CAMPBELL of the Queensland Mounted Infantry, writes as follows to his brother at Codrington, Richmond River NSW, under date Bloemfontein 3.3.1900 - The Boers have a special dread of the Queensland Mounted Infantry, and the NSW Lancers, as they ride right over the kopjes and hunt them out of their hiding places — not like the Imperial horsemen which dismount and lead their horses over any rough hills, thus exposing themselves to the Boer marksmen. The Imperial troops can't hold a candle to the Australians in the saddle. It's amusing to see them riding with their long stirrups at a trot; no rising, and the bobbing of them would make a cat laugh. But they are grit and ginger for all that. We have not had much of a go yet, only a few scrums, when one of our chaps was wounded, having been shot three times. .... We witnessed a great go with our forces, and the Boers just before we came to Bloemfontein. It lasted all day, and the work was very heavy, as our large guns were not in position, and the Imperial Horse suffered a lot. A great number of them were killed, and our boys were under a lot of fire, but no one was hurt. However, as soon as our big guns got mounted, and commenced to squirt lyddite shells things took quite a change. There was a great go between the Boers big guns and our naval guns. The Boer was firing wild, but ours was taking its time. My word, the Jack Tars are the boys to work those monsters. The first shot fell just under the mountain where the Boers' big gun was, the next just under their breastworks, and the third right under their gun, blowing it to splinters. Then there was a stampede. Mule waggons and bullock waggons cleared for bare life, throwing out rations and fodder as they went along, and the British in hot pursuit. The roar of the shouting, swearing, cursing, and orders would deafen the best ear. One little scrum, by the Burmah or Ceylon troops, was worth seeing. They were all drawn up ready to charge some trenches, which were in front of some kopjes. When they charged, the Boers galloped from the hills to take the trenches, and our lot were ordered to retire and form up again just as the Boers took the trenches. The pom-poms dropped a few shells into them, and they left the trenches quicker than they took them, and made for their horses. Just as soon as they got to their horses and were mounting, a shell dropped right in amongst them, and a great many of them will take the trenches no more. Then commenced the charge, both sides riding hard, the Boers in front and our boys behind, but the Boer pony is too smart, having nothing to carry only rider, rifle, and bandolier, while we have to carry all our kit.'
URL5: Banquet to the Returned Soldiers. A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. Though the weather was very unpropitious on Wednesday evening last [2.7.1902], about 70 gentlemen attended the banquet held in the Bridge Street Hall in honor of the soldiers who went to the front from this district, and have lately returned, eleven of whom were entertained, and also as a manifestation of joy at the declaration of peace. ... Lieutenant CJ MCRAE proposed the health of 'The returned soldiers.' He was proud to be allowed to propose this toast ... They had what was known in military circles as the scroll of fame, and from this, which was a record of the doings of the men, he would introduce them personally. ... They had also present Troopers MCKINNON, RODERICK and STONE, all of whom had seen service. Trooper Malcolm CAMPBELL enlisted from Queensland, and after returning home, again went to the front, and had seen a lot of hard service. He was pleased to welcome these men home, also Trooper PETERSON, who was present, and who had been a member of Colonel LASSETTER's contingent.
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