The Boer War was fought between British forces against the Boers, or Dutch-Afrikaner settlers in South Africa from 1899 until 1902. The War was also called the South African War and referred to as the Second Boer War. The First Boer War, fought between the Boers and the British, took place in 1880-1881, but no Australian troops were officially involved.
Australians who served in the War were all volunteers. The Australian War Memorial website explains - Australians served in contingents raised by the six colonies or, from 1901, by the new Australian Commonwealth. For a variety of reasons many Australians also joined British or South African colonial units in South Africa: some were already in South Africa when the war broke out; others either made their own way or joined local units after their enlistment in an Australian contingent ended. Recruiting was also done in Australia for units which already existed in South Africa, such as the Scottish Horse. You can read more about Boer War on the Australian War Memorial website https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/boer
This post looks at some of the local men from the Shires of Berwick, Cranbourne and Dandenong who served in the South Africa War. This is a work in progress, I am sure there are many others, so if I have missed any please let me know.
The Australian War Memorial has digitised the Official Records of Australian Contingents to the War in South Africa, 1899-1902, compiled by Lieutenant-Colonel P.L.Murray and published in 1911. This acts as the Nominal Roll and can be found and searched here, on the Australian War Memorial website; you can also browse page-by-page, here. The Nominal Rolls contain very basic information - name, rank, service number and sometime there is a line about some aspect of their service. I have referred to it as the Boer War Nominal Roll. The National Archives of Australia also has a series of digitised Boer War Attestation papers, called Boer War Dossiers, Series B4418. Only John Crisop Morris, James William Shreeve and Arthur Edward Towt, in this list, have one of these. The Australians in the Boer War website is also a good source of information, see here.
Victorian Mounted Rifles leaving for the Boer War. Photo taken in
Market Street in Melbourne. Photographer: Lewis F. East.
State Library of Victoria Image H28378
Some of the following information comes from the Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; the books Early Days of Berwick (1) and In the Wake of the Pack Tracks (2) and newspaper articles see my Trove list of newspaper articles, see here. SN stands for Service Number.
Bain, Donald Stuart. Not listed in the Boer War Nominal Roll.Donald, born in 1880, was the eleventh and last child of Robert and Susan (nee Stuart) Bain of the Berwick Inn (Border Hotel), established by Robert in Berwick in 1857. He enlisted in either Robert's Light Horse or Kitchener's Fighting Scouts or the Kaffarian Rifles according to various reports (3). When Donald returned he became a Stock & Station Agent, and then he enlisted in the A.I.F in August 1914, with the rank of Captain. Donald was discharged in medical grounds - neurasthenia and shell shock - two years later. Donald died in 1937, aged 56. See his First World War Personnel Dossier, here.
Donald Bain of Berwick, promoted to Lieutenant
South Bourke & Mornington Journal November 6, 1901 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70047917
Enlisted in the 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles. There was a report in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal of June 5, 1901 (see here), about the Dandenong meeting of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows where Br. Chris Barnes was welcomed on his safe return from South Africa and at the event he gave a few of his experiences at the Front. I am assuming that Br Chris Barnes and John Christopher Barnes are the same man and I have no other information about him. As a matter of interest, he enlisted the same time as Alfred Hillman, below, who is SN 352.
Chambers, Michael James. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 1085).
Enlisted in the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles, where he attained the rank of Lance-Corporal. Michael also enlisted in the First World War on March 6, 1918 at the age of 38 ( SN 64173). He lived in Modella with his wife, Labela and three children. Their son, Ronald, was the Shire of Berwick Engineer from 1948 until 1973, and then the Shire of Pakenham Engineer until 1977. The family are the source of the name Chambers Road, Modella. The R.J. Chambers Reserve in Pakenham Upper is named for Ronald. Michael died in 1961 aged 85. See his First World War Personnel Dossier, here.
Procession of the Victorian Contingent of armed forces to the South African War, along Spring Street, Melbourne, 28 October 1899. Photographer: E.J. Frazer
State Library of Victoria Image H36420/42
Enlisted in the Victorian [Citizen] Bushmen. Arnold was the son of Sir Matthew Davies - the first Australian born Speaker of the Victorian Parliament (4). Arnold had a letter about his experience of fighting in South Africa, published in The Argus on September 14, 1900 (see here) - this is the start of his letter-
We are camped now - that is 20 of our division - on a large kopje, about a mile from our old camp, on the Water Hill Fort, and it looks as if we were going to have fairly easy times for a day or two, and I think we could all do with a rest. I suppose you have heard by now that we had a go with the Boers last Sunday, and I think even the most sanguinary amongst us had enough fighting then to do them for a day or two. The wonder is that any of us came through alive; as it is, there are four killed and 21 wounded and missing.
I am not actually sure how he is connected to this region, however Arnold and Alfred Robinson were welcomed home at a function at the Narre Warren North Mechanics' Institute on Friday, February 22, 1901, so I presume he was farming in the area. There was a report of the welcome home in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal of February 27, 1901 (see here) -
It is hardly possible that at any country town within the colony such a handsome welcome home was extended to our returned soldiers as that which took place at the Mechanics Institute, Narre Warren North, Friday night last.
The assemblage comprised visitors from Dandenong, Berwick and the surrounding district well as a strong force of the local residents and numbered about two hundred and fifty, possibly a record attendance at any similar gathering at Narre Warren. The idea of inviting ladies was a great success, nearly half the audience being composed of members of the fair sex. Arnold and Alfred were each presented with a handsome gold medal, suitably inscribed to the effect that they were given by residents as a token of esteem.
After his return Arnold was farming for a time at Doodakine in Western Australia according to the 1909 Electoral Rolls. Doodakine is 230 kms east of Perth. He returned to Victoria and enlisted in the A.I.F in November 1914 at the age of 38 (SN 139) and in the Second World War, where he stated his age as 55 and his birth year as 1887, he was actually born 1876. See his Personnel Dossiers, here.
Elmes, John Turner. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, listed as Elms. (SN 51).John served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Rifles, where he attained the rank of Lance-Corporal. John was the son of the late Dr Elmes of Berwick who had served the Berwick community from around 1870 until his death in 1893, at the age of 54. Early Days of Berwick says that Dr Elmes also treated cases at Brandy Creek [Warragul] thirty five miles away, being their nearest Doctor. When John returned from South Africa, he managed various farms in the Western District, including Terang where he died in 1945, aged 69. John's brothers, Frederick and Herbert served in World War One; Herbert was Killed in Action in France on November 5, 1916.
Welcome home for John Elms and Arthur Ogilvy.
The Age, January 1, 1901 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196064873?
Served as a Sergeant with the Victorian Imperial Bushman (SN 5) and served as a Lieutenant with the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles from June 22, 1901 until March 27, 1902. Hugh was born at Pyalong in 1880, the son of Hugh and Ellen (nee Wilson) Esler. Hugh and Ellen are listed in the 1903 and 1906 Electoral Rolls at Lang Lang - he is a farmer. Hugh junior is also in Lang Lang in 1903, also a farmer, but he then joined the Police Forces and then moved around Victoria. A welcome home social was tendered to Lieutenant to Esler at the Mechanics' Hall, Lang Lang on October 3, 1902.
Welcome home to Hugh Esler
Lang Lang Guardian October 11, 1902, p. 2
Gamble, William. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 35).
Served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Rifles. Note in the nominal roll - Invalided Australia, arrived 24.5.00, Awarded pension (temporary). After the War, William became the Principal of the Dookie Agricultural College. He and his wife Barbara moved to Berwick in 1922 and farmed at Burnbank, in partnership with Edwin Flack, Australia's first Olympian. Barbara, was the first President of the Berwick Country Women's Association and died in 1944 at the age of 66 (5). William died in 1960 aged 91. They are both buried at Berwick Cemetery.
Gardiner, John James. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 136).
Served with the 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen, attained the rank of Sergeant and was Mentioned in Commander-in-Chief's Despatches on April 2, 1901. John and three of his brothers, as well as their two nephews, Frederick and Edward Sibert, all served the First World War (6). John was a Civil Engineer and was employed as a Shire Engineer in councils in New South Wales and Queensland, before he retired in 1935 and returned to live in Berwick. He was also a councillor for the Shire of Berwick.
Served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Rifles. Note in the nominal roll - Invalided Australia, arrived 24.5.00, Awarded pension (temporary). After the War, William became the Principal of the Dookie Agricultural College. He and his wife Barbara moved to Berwick in 1922 and farmed at Burnbank, in partnership with Edwin Flack, Australia's first Olympian. Barbara, was the first President of the Berwick Country Women's Association and died in 1944 at the age of 66 (5). William died in 1960 aged 91. They are both buried at Berwick Cemetery.
Gardiner, John James. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 136).
Served with the 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen, attained the rank of Sergeant and was Mentioned in Commander-in-Chief's Despatches on April 2, 1901. John and three of his brothers, as well as their two nephews, Frederick and Edward Sibert, all served the First World War (6). John was a Civil Engineer and was employed as a Shire Engineer in councils in New South Wales and Queensland, before he retired in 1935 and returned to live in Berwick. He was also a councillor for the Shire of Berwick.
The Herald 'World of Sport' column of July 20, 1900 (see here) published a letter from Charles Searle (listed below) about life in South Africa and he mentioned John Gardiner -
Though they have to take their share of shot and shell the boys in South Africa manage to find time for football. A Berwick boy with the Tasmanian contingent has sent an account of a match to Mr. Searle of Berwick, and Mr Searle has very kindly forwarded It to me. It is as follows:— "A most interesting and exciting combat took place to-day between the Tasmanian and South Australian Bushmen Contingents on the eve of the departure of the Tassies for Bulawayo, resulting in a win for the Tassies by 6 points, Stanworth (capt.) and Sergeant Gardner of Berwick, both Victorians, being conspicuous for Tasmania, and Wilson, Roberts and Kerr for South Australia."
Hillman, Alfred Ernest. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 352)
Enlisted in the 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles. He was awarded the South Africa medal with six clasps. This medal was officially called the Queen's South Africa medal and was awarded to all those who served. Each clasp represented a location (presumably where a battle took place) such as Transvaal, Modder River, Johannesburg. Alfred, born in Drysdale in 1869 and had come to Pakenham with his parents, Edward and Eliza (nee Hopkins) Hillman in 1885.
Hillman, Alfred Ernest. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 352)
Enlisted in the 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles. He was awarded the South Africa medal with six clasps. This medal was officially called the Queen's South Africa medal and was awarded to all those who served. Each clasp represented a location (presumably where a battle took place) such as Transvaal, Modder River, Johannesburg. Alfred, born in Drysdale in 1869 and had come to Pakenham with his parents, Edward and Eliza (nee Hopkins) Hillman in 1885.
The Pakenham Gazette on May 21, 1937 reported on the procession held in Pakenham for the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, which took place on May 12, 1937 -
Amongst the hundreds of interested spectators who saw the Coronation procession at Pakenham last week was Mr A. E. Hillman, of Pakenham, a member of the Australian Contingent which went to England in 1902 for the coronation of King Edward VII. Mr Hillman was in the Garrison Artillery and served in the Boer War from 1899 to 1901 under Major (afterwards General) Monash (7) and was awarded the South African medal with six clasps. The Australian Coronation Contingent in 1902 comprised 150 officers and men, 42 of whom were selected from Victoria. The troops were away from Australia for about six months, and in addition to taking part on the Coronation festivities in London toured England and Scotland. Mr Hillman recalls many pleasant memories associated with the trip.
Boer War Nominal Roll entry.
As a matter of interest in 1904 Alfred married Eva Murcutt in 1904. In the Boer War nominal rolls, see here, Alfred is listed with the service number of 252 the man with the service number of 253 is Joseph Murcutt, Eva's brother. Did they know each other before they enlisted or did they met in the recruiting office, become friends and then Joseph later introduced Alfred to his sister? Sadly, Eva died in 1906 at the age of 24, and in 1909 Alfred married Cecelia Elizabeth Smith.
Alfred spent most of his life in Pakenham, involved in many community groups and his obituary in the Pakenham Gazette (8) said that he had the distinction of being the first man to enlist from Pakenham for war service
Leggett, Sid. Not listed in the Boer War Nominal Roll.
Sid joined Robert's Light Horse in South Africa with Donald Bain. The boys were both from Berwick, and I have no other information about him.
Report of Don Bain and Sid Leggatt from South Africa
South Bourke and Mornington Journal July 18, 1900 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70046016
McSwain, Malcolm Munro. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 47)
Enlisted in the 1st Western Australia Mounted Infantry. Malcolm was the son on Norman and Margaret McSwain. An article in the Dandenong Journal of May 25, 1949 (see here) noted that Norman and Margaret operated a dairy farm and carrying business at Cranbourne and later Eumemmerring and their five sons went to W. A. when the depression hit Victoria in the nineties. One of them went to the Boer War and afterwards to the First World War. Malcolm did indeed serve WW1 he enlisted in March 1916 at the age of 39 (SN 2926). His occupation was a miner and his address was Marble Bar, in Western Australia. See his First World War Personnel Dossier, here.
Enlisted in the 1st Western Australia Mounted Infantry. Malcolm was the son on Norman and Margaret McSwain. An article in the Dandenong Journal of May 25, 1949 (see here) noted that Norman and Margaret operated a dairy farm and carrying business at Cranbourne and later Eumemmerring and their five sons went to W. A. when the depression hit Victoria in the nineties. One of them went to the Boer War and afterwards to the First World War. Malcolm did indeed serve WW1 he enlisted in March 1916 at the age of 39 (SN 2926). His occupation was a miner and his address was Marble Bar, in Western Australia. See his First World War Personnel Dossier, here.
Report of a letter Malcolm sent to his parents.
The Age January 26, 1900 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196023965
Morris, John Crisop Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 208) and here (SN 40, incorrectly listed as John James Morris).
John was born in Townsville, Queensland and enlisted at the age of 25 in the 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry where he had the role of Bugler, and the 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse. He reached the rank of Squadron Sergeant Major in the 7th Battalion. His Attestation paper for the 7th Battalion has been digitised, see it here. John Morris also enlisted in the First World War on September 24, 1914 at the age of 38, with the rank of Lieutenant. He had the unusual occupation of actor and he enlisted in Melbourne and his mother, who his next of kin, was also from Townsville. He Returned to Australia December 16, 1917 suffering from 'cardiac arythmia'. You can read his First World War Personnel Dossier, here. Morris is listed in the Electoral Rolls at Pakenham Upper in 1919, his occupation is orchardist. In 1922 he was granted a Soldier Settlement farm at Yarram, you can read his file, here. He died in 1925, I believe, I don't have an exact date (9).
John was born in Townsville, Queensland and enlisted at the age of 25 in the 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry where he had the role of Bugler, and the 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse. He reached the rank of Squadron Sergeant Major in the 7th Battalion. His Attestation paper for the 7th Battalion has been digitised, see it here. John Morris also enlisted in the First World War on September 24, 1914 at the age of 38, with the rank of Lieutenant. He had the unusual occupation of actor and he enlisted in Melbourne and his mother, who his next of kin, was also from Townsville. He Returned to Australia December 16, 1917 suffering from 'cardiac arythmia'. You can read his First World War Personnel Dossier, here. Morris is listed in the Electoral Rolls at Pakenham Upper in 1919, his occupation is orchardist. In 1922 he was granted a Soldier Settlement farm at Yarram, you can read his file, here. He died in 1925, I believe, I don't have an exact date (9).
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John Crisop Morris
State Library of Queensland https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE2814853
originally published in The Queenslander, 31 May 1902
Served with the 2nd Victorian Mounted Rifles, and the 2nd Scottish Horse. Arthur was the son of James W. Ogilvy, of Buchanan Road, in Berwick. Early Days of Berwick said that James was the son of one of Melbourne's earliest solicitors, was one of he first pupils at Scotch College and had witnessed the departure of the Burke & Wills Expedition in 1860. Interesting connections to Melbourne's early history. Arthur was 'welcomed home' with Jack Elms at the smoke night held at the Rechabite Hall in Berwick (see Elmes listing, above). He also served in the First World War in the 2nd Light Horse, enlisting at the age of 40, where he held the rank of Captain. At the time of his enlistment he was farming in Kyogle, New South Wales. Captain Ogilvy was Mentioned in Despatches, and Returned to Australia May 1919. See his First World War Personnel Dossier, here.
Captain Ogilvy pays a visit to Berwick, after he returned home from World War One
South Bourke & Mornington Journal May 29, 1919. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66196124
Ordish, Harold Boer War Nominal Roll, here (SN 104) and here, (SN 250)
Served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Rifles, where he attained the rank of Lance-Corporal, Lance Sergeant and then Acting C.S.M; he was also a Regimental Sergeant Major in the 6th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse. Harold also served in the First World War, he enlisted in the A.I.F., on February 23, 1916. His occupation was a soldier and he was 42 years old. Harold was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and remained overseas until January 1920, when he Returned to Australia, where he remained in the Army becoming a Lieutenant-Colonel. See his World War One Personnel Dossier, here. Harold, was born in Dandenong in 1873 to Thomas and Mary Elizabeth (nee Ward) Ordish. His brother William Ordish established the Ordish Brick Co., in 1894 (10).
Corporal Jago at Harold Ordish's send-off.
Corporal Jago had served in the Crimean War, see here.
South Bourke & Mornington Journal October 25, 1899 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/70022299
News about Harold Ordish
The Age September 4 1900 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/188648916
Osborne, Henry Houston. Boer War Nominal Roll, here.
Served with the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles with the rank of Lieutenant. Henry is listed in the Electoral Rolls at Clyde from 1912 to 1926. His occupation was farm manager. Henry died 1944 aged 84 and was the son of James and Esther (nee Houston) Osborne. Henry married Leila Caroline Kennedy in 1895 in a fashionable wedding at All Saints Church in St Kilda in January 1895, you can read about it here.
Pritchard, George. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 305)
Pritchard, George. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 305)
Served with the Victorian Imperial Bushmen. Note in the Nominal Roll - Returned Victoria 5/1/01; reported fit; Returned to South Africa and rejoined 4/4/01. George and his wife, Janet, are listed in the Electoral Roll from 1908 at Lang Lang East, until around 1919 when they moved to Neerim. George also served in World War One (SN 433). He enlisted on September 11, 1915 at the age of 47, his address was Yannathan, which is just east of Lang Lang. See his World War One Personnel Dossier, here.
Robinson, Alfred James. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 105).
Served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Infantry Company. Alfred, born 1877, was the son of George Washington and Eliza Robinson of Hillsley, Narre Warren North. George was the Shire of Berwick Engineer and Shire Secretary for Ferntree Gully. Alfred's mother, Eliza was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Walton, of Holly Green, Narre Warren. This was the property acquired by Sidney Webb and is now the site of Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. Alfred married Jessie Lyon of Harkaway on February 22, 1910.
Searle, Charles John. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 390)
Served in the Victorian Imperial Bushmen. Note in the nominal roll - Discharged in South Africa, 5.8.02. Charles was the son of Henry Searle, of Berwick. Henry was a Blacksmith and operated from the corner of High Street and Wheeler Street from around 1860. Charles Searle had a long letter he wrote to his parents from South Africa published in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal, on August 22 and August 29, 1900 (see here and here). This is the first paragraph -
Robinson, Alfred James. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 105).
Served with the 1st Victorian Mounted Infantry Company. Alfred, born 1877, was the son of George Washington and Eliza Robinson of Hillsley, Narre Warren North. George was the Shire of Berwick Engineer and Shire Secretary for Ferntree Gully. Alfred's mother, Eliza was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Walton, of Holly Green, Narre Warren. This was the property acquired by Sidney Webb and is now the site of Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. Alfred married Jessie Lyon of Harkaway on February 22, 1910.
Alfred Robinson, 'invalided home'
The Argus April 25, 1900 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article9057466
Searle, Charles John. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 390)
Served in the Victorian Imperial Bushmen. Note in the nominal roll - Discharged in South Africa, 5.8.02. Charles was the son of Henry Searle, of Berwick. Henry was a Blacksmith and operated from the corner of High Street and Wheeler Street from around 1860. Charles Searle had a long letter he wrote to his parents from South Africa published in the South Bourke & Mornington Journal, on August 22 and August 29, 1900 (see here and here). This is the first paragraph -
It is a long time since I last wrote, but you will understand that it is a bit hard to get a letter written out here. We got into harbor at Beira on the 23rd of May, but we were not allowed to land until the 2nd of June. We saw a great number of flying fish the day before we got in, and it was a pretty sight. We were met out side by the man-of-war "Partridge," and conducted into the bay in great style. The water is very shallow and dirty; and everything is very dear at Beira, cocoa nuts 9d, bananas 1s, jam 1/6 half-lb. tin, bread 6d small loaf. A number of the men got fever and dysentry whilst there, but none of the cases were very severe, and all recovered in a few days. I have kept in grand health throughout, and not at all afraid of catching fever as I am not fat.
Early Days of Berwick, noted that Charles remained to reside in South Africa at the conclusion of hostilities.
Shreeve, James William. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 663)
Served in the 2nd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse. His Attestation paper for service in South Africa, has been digitised, see it here. It lists his address as Oakhill farm, Garfield. James was a professional soldier and also served in the First World War; enlisting in the A.I.F., at the age of 36, with the rank of Lieutenant. His parents were William and Emma (nee Daniels) Shreeve, of Mount Marshall, Garfield. See his World War One Personnel Dossier, here.
Towt, Arthur Edward. Boer War Nominal Roll, here, (SN 2387)
Served in the 4th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse. His Attestation paper for service in South Africa, has been digitised, see it here. It tells us that he was born in Broadford, enlisted on February 11, 1902 at the age of 20, that he was a station hand and his next of kin was his mother, S. Towt, of 23 Liddiard Street, Glenferrie. In the 1962 'Back to Garfield' souvenir booklet, local historian, Bill Parish, has a history of the town, decade by decade. In the 1901-10 decade he notes Several Boer War veterans took up properties including Mr A. Towt, at Garfield North (11). Arthur established an orchard on his property, there was an interesting article about this orchard in the Weekly Times in 1939, read it here. later carries on by his sons. Arthur married had Margaret Brew in 1908, they had seven children and he died on August 3, 1954.
Trove list - I have created a list of articles on Trove on the Boer War / South African War with a connection to the old Shires of Berwickm Cranbourne and Dandenong, access it here.
(1) Early Days of Berwick and its surrounding districts, compiled by Norman E. Beaumont, James F. Curran and R.H. Hughes (3rd edition published by Rotary, 1979). The book was originally published in 1948.
(2) In the Wake of the Pack Tracks: a history of the Shire of Berwick (Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, 1982)
(2) In the Wake of the Pack Tracks: a history of the Shire of Berwick (Berwick Pakenham Historical Society, 1982)
(3) Donald Bain's Boer War service - South Bourke and Mornington Journal July 18, 1900 says he enlisted in the Robert's Light Horse, see here; South Bourke & Mornington Journal November 6, 1901 says he joined Kitchener's Fighting Scouts, see here; his World War One Personnel Dossier says he also served in the Kaffarian Rifles, see here.
(4) Matthew Davies - see his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(4) Matthew Davies - see his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry, here.
(5) This information is from Mrs Gamble's short obituary was in the Dandenong Journal, January 12, 1944, see here.
(6) Gardiner Family - the sons of James and Mary (nee Church) Gardiner, who had married in 1870. They lived in Brisbane Street, Berwick.
Gardiner, John James (SN 1651) John enlisted at the age of 44 on May 11, 1916. His occupation was Civil Engineer and Surveyor and his next of kin was his wife, Mary Ann, of Berwick. Mary is called Matilda and Moya in some sources. John Returned to Australia August 24, 1918. John had also served in the Boer War, he was part of the 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen and was Mentioned in Commander-in-Chief's Despatches on April 2, 1901. John was a Shire Engineer in New South Wales and Queensland and after his retirement in 1935 he returned to Berwick and was elected as a Shire of Berwick Councillor. You can read his obituary in the Dandenong Journal of January 9, 1946, here.
Gardiner, George Peter (SN 4401) George enlisted on January 5, 1916. He was 37 years old, his occupation was Slaughterman and his address was Cockatoo Creek, a previous name for Cockatoo. George's next of kin was his father, James, and he Returned to Australia April 10, 1919.
Gardiner, Ernest Edward (SN 48) Ernest enlisted on August 22, 1914 at the age of 27. He was a farmer and he enlisted in New South Wales. He was reported as being 'dangerously ill' and invalided to Australia July 31, 1915 and medically discharged June 6, 1916. Ernest is incorrectly listed on the Embarkation Roll as Gardener.
Gardiner, Clarence Eustace (SN 4707) Clarence enlisted on August 7, 1915. He was a 23 year old fireman, working for the Victorian Railways. His father was his next of kin. Clarence was Wounded in Action - gun shot wound left ankle and compound fracture right thigh. Clarence was discharged on medical grounds on April 9, 1918.
Sadly, for James and Mary Gardiner, even though their four sons survived, two of their grandsons did not, Frederick and Edward, who were the sons of Amelia Gardiner and her husband, Justin Sibert, did not return.
Sibert, Frederick John (SN 3482) Frederick was born in Berwick and living in Blackbutt in Queensland when he enlisted at the age of 22 on October 18, 1916. He was a timber-getter. His next of kin was his mother, Amelia, of Yarloop in Western Australia. Frederick Died of Wounds received whilst fighting in France, on October 10, 1917.
Sibert, Edward Justin (SN 4551, listed in NAA as 4557) Edward was born in Collie in Western Australia and was 18 when he enlisted on March 1, 1916. His mother was his next of kin. Edward was Killed in Action, sometime between November 3 and November 6, 1916
(6) Gardiner Family - the sons of James and Mary (nee Church) Gardiner, who had married in 1870. They lived in Brisbane Street, Berwick.
Gardiner, John James (SN 1651) John enlisted at the age of 44 on May 11, 1916. His occupation was Civil Engineer and Surveyor and his next of kin was his wife, Mary Ann, of Berwick. Mary is called Matilda and Moya in some sources. John Returned to Australia August 24, 1918. John had also served in the Boer War, he was part of the 2nd Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen and was Mentioned in Commander-in-Chief's Despatches on April 2, 1901. John was a Shire Engineer in New South Wales and Queensland and after his retirement in 1935 he returned to Berwick and was elected as a Shire of Berwick Councillor. You can read his obituary in the Dandenong Journal of January 9, 1946, here.
Gardiner, George Peter (SN 4401) George enlisted on January 5, 1916. He was 37 years old, his occupation was Slaughterman and his address was Cockatoo Creek, a previous name for Cockatoo. George's next of kin was his father, James, and he Returned to Australia April 10, 1919.
Gardiner, Ernest Edward (SN 48) Ernest enlisted on August 22, 1914 at the age of 27. He was a farmer and he enlisted in New South Wales. He was reported as being 'dangerously ill' and invalided to Australia July 31, 1915 and medically discharged June 6, 1916. Ernest is incorrectly listed on the Embarkation Roll as Gardener.
Gardiner, Clarence Eustace (SN 4707) Clarence enlisted on August 7, 1915. He was a 23 year old fireman, working for the Victorian Railways. His father was his next of kin. Clarence was Wounded in Action - gun shot wound left ankle and compound fracture right thigh. Clarence was discharged on medical grounds on April 9, 1918.
Sadly, for James and Mary Gardiner, even though their four sons survived, two of their grandsons did not, Frederick and Edward, who were the sons of Amelia Gardiner and her husband, Justin Sibert, did not return.
Sibert, Frederick John (SN 3482) Frederick was born in Berwick and living in Blackbutt in Queensland when he enlisted at the age of 22 on October 18, 1916. He was a timber-getter. His next of kin was his mother, Amelia, of Yarloop in Western Australia. Frederick Died of Wounds received whilst fighting in France, on October 10, 1917.
Sibert, Edward Justin (SN 4551, listed in NAA as 4557) Edward was born in Collie in Western Australia and was 18 when he enlisted on March 1, 1916. His mother was his next of kin. Edward was Killed in Action, sometime between November 3 and November 6, 1916
(7) Sir General John Monash's Australian Dictionary of Biography entry (see here) written by Geoffrey Searle, said that although Monash was a member of the North Melbourne Battery of the Metropolitan Brigade of the Garrison Artillery, he did not volunteer for and was not invited to take part in the South African War. Possibly, Alfred may have served under Monash in the Garrison Artillery before he went to South Africa.
(8) Pakenham Gazette, October 17, 1947.
(9) Probate notice for John Crisop Morris, which gives us some idea of his death date.
The Argus July 8 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article2136584
(10) Brennan, Niall Chronicles of Dandenong (Hawthorn Press, 1973), p. 125.
(11) Parish, Bill Back to Garfield, 1887-1962 souvenir booklet (Back to Garfield Committee, 1962), p. 9.
