To Queensland belongs the credit of being the first colony to make an
offer of assistance to the mother country in connection with the South
African War. On 11th July 1899, three months before the Boer ultimatum
was sent, the Queensland Government despatched to Mr Chamberlain an offer of
250 mounted men, with machine-guns. The credit for this foresight
belongs to Lieutenant Colonel J Sanderson-Lyster, late 71st, Highland Light
Infantry, who, as chief staff-officer in Queensland, made the suggestion to
the commandant, Major General H Gunter. The latter interviewed the
Premier, the Honourable J R Dickson, and he at once acted on the suggestion.
The total contribution from the colony was 143 officers, 2756 men, and
3085 horses. The first contingent was two companies of mounted
infantry, 262 strong, all ranks, and was mainly composed of men of the
Queensland Militia Regiment of Mounted Infantry. They were commanded
by Lieutenant Colonel P R Ricardo. The contingent sailed on the
Cornwall on 1st November 1899, and were, on arrival upon 11th December, sent
to the De Aar-Modder River line in order to protect the communications of
Lord Methuen. They remained in this district until Lord Roberts
commenced his advance into the Free State on 11th February 1900.
On 1st January 1900, 200 Queenslanders, under Lieutenant Colonel Ricardo
and Captains Chauvel and Pinnock, were part of a force which Colonel Pilcher
led out from Belmont towards Douglas,—an expedition which was entirely
successful. Colonel Pilcher took extraordinary care to prevent any
news of his march leaking out, and owing to this care he was able to
surprise the enemy, capturing their laager and 40 prisoners. The work
of the Queenslanders was greatly praised. They had a difficult task to
perform, and the most highly-trained troops could not have done it more
satisfactorily. When it was known that the column was in the vicinity
of the laager, Colonel Pilcher's main endeavour was to throw some of his
troops round the enemy's flanks. The Queenslanders got round on one
flank unseen, and before they were discovered had gained a position which
put the Boers at disadvantage. Privates M'Leod and Jones were killed,—
the first Australian soldiers to die by Boer bullets. Lieutenant Aidie
and Private Rose were dangerously wounded. There were a few other
casualties. Rose was said to have been struck while returning to help
Lieutenant Aidie.
In the beginning of February preparations were being made for the relief
of Kimberley and the advance on Bloemfontein, and the Queensland Mounted
Infantry were destined to take part in these stirring operations. In
the appendix to his despatch of 16th February, Lord Roberts gives a
statement of the troops available. He puts the Queensland Mounted
Infantry as two hundred and seventy-five strong.
In the rush to Kimberley and during the fighting on the north side of the
town on 16th February 1900, the Queenslanders were under Pilcher, along with
the 3rd Mounted Infantry (Regulars) and a squadron of New Zealanders.
They succeeded in capturing a part of the Boer position, and were left out
on outpost at Macfarlane's Siding during the night of the 16th, but before
morning the enemy had decamped, getting away their convoy and guns.
When French got the message announcing that Cronje had left Magersfontein he
pushed on, first, Broadwood's Cavalry and then his other troops to
Koedoesrand and Paardeberg drifts on the Modder to endeavour to head-off
Cronje; and in this he was successful.
The 1st Contingent fought for a while with the
2nd Contingent.
In the beginning of November the Press Association correspondent at
Pretoria wired: "A portion of the Queensland Mounted Infantry left here this
morning en route for Australia. Like the rest of their
fellow-Australians, they have done magnificent work during the campaign, and
their skill and daring have been generally admired in the army".
