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Father & Son in the South Aust. Bushmen 7 years 8 months ago #47330

  • LinneyI
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The idea of Father and Son volunteering to serve together in a war zone would doubtless raise some eyebrows in comfortable Western societies in the second Decade of the current Century. It is, however, quite certain that similar examples would be found on the British side during the Anglo-Boer war - for example, a Father serving in a Line Regiment and his son/s perhaps in another unit or serving as a drummer; or indeed Male family groupings serving in South African mounted units or the various TGs and DMTs. Here is something rather different; a Father and Son serving alongside each other in the South Australian Bushmen's contingent and each earning - amongst others - the scarce "Rhodesia" clasp on their QSA medals.





Medal at left impressed to "86 Tpr:J.B.Mullins" and medal at right impressed to "7 Tpr: J.E.Mullins" - both of "S.Aus.Bushmen". In each case clasps CC/RHOD/OFS/TV/SA1901.

Following the events of Black Week, it appeared obvious that British forces in SA would need considerable reinforcements to meet the threats on all fronts. On 13/12/99, C-in-C Sir Garnet Wolsley minuted Lord Lansdowne; proposing among other things the raising of Yeomanry contingents in the UK plus accepting all offers of additional contingents from the Colonies. A week later, a cable to the Colonies amplified the proposal - and clearly stated that future volunteers "need not be members of any trained force". Australian Colonial contingents already deployed had had at least a leavening of disciplined men upon departure - this new proposal seemed to some to be a risky proposition.
Rightly or wrongly, it does appear that early reports from SA stressed poor scouting as the main cause of some of the recent calamities. Thus, influential Colonial Austyralian supporters of the Empire's cause proposed that groups of Bushmen might be recruited to act as "eyes and ears" of regular formations in the field. The term "Bushman" remains quite evocative in Australia; now a largely urban nation and often looking back to a much simpler past. Murray's "Australian Contingents" gives a contemporary view of the Bushman; " men accustomed to the exingencies of rough life in the backwoods, daring riders, expert shots, experienced in finding their way in tangled country, and hardened against privation".
Across the Australian Colonies, Committees were formed for the purpose of raising and financing contingents of Citizens' Bushmen. The NSW contingent was officially so titled. The others from Queensland, West Aust., Tasmania and South Aust. were simply titled "Bushmen". Certain Colonies like South Aust. raised public subscriptions and donations and completely or largely funded their Bushmen. Interestingly, the cost of raising a squadron of South Australian Bushmen, sending it to the front and maintaining it in the field was estimated at twelve thousand pounds.
Enlistment for the S.A.Bushmen commenced with press announcements in 2/1900. Twelve hundred written applications were quickly culled to one thousand and then to the required ninety-nine by tests of fitness and horsemanship. Judging by the Contingent numbers allocated, it appears that "7 Tpr. James.Edward.Mullins", aged twenty-two, occupation "bushman" enlisted before his father. "86 Tpr. James Bruce Mullins' - his father - was aged forty-four years on enlistment; occupation "colt breaker". He was described as a "thorough horseman and fair shot and had lived nearly all of his life in the bush". The next of kin of James Edward Mullins was his mother; Mary Catherine Mullins of Balaklava, South Aust. That of James Bruce mullins was his wife; Mary Catherine Mullins of Balaklava, South Aust.
The S.A.Bushmen departed Adelaide on the transport "Maplemore" on 27/2/1900; as a barometer of public support, it was estimated that over 100,000 people thronged the streets to farewell their contingent. It is pertinent to comment that - as of the departure date - Ladysmith was hopefully still in the throes of being relieved and Mafeking was still famously under siege. The "Maplemore" gathered together more contingents of Bushmen from other ports and headed for S.A. with a total of 1400 eager (or perhaps not so eager) hardy souls heading for the Big Adventure.


(JBM standing left, JEM standing, right).

Upon arrival at Cape Town, the Bushmen were diverted to Beria in what was then Portuguese East Africa and eventually entrained for Rhodesia, They were to be a part, together with NZ roughriders and IY, of the Rhodesian Field Force - commanded by the veteran Lt.Gen. Sir F. Carrington. The RFF was intended to secure Rhodesia and operate inside the Northern Transvaal. Space precludes examination of the activities of the RFF - however, the S.A.Bushmen served in the 2nd Regt. of 1st Bde., RFF; 1360 all-ranks and comprised of Bushmen from all the Australian Colonies. Only, the Queensland Bushmen were involved in the Relief of Mafeking.
Subsequently, the Bushmen came under the command of Lord Methuen; a commander greatly admired by all ranks due to his strong will and diligence. Operating mostly in the Western Transvaal and ORC, Methuen and his men had to combat a well armed, well led and extremely mobile enemy who could strike anywhere at any time. During the month after 9/7/1900, the S.A. Bushmen patrolled the Marico River towards Eland's River and then - without suffering any "regrettable incidents" they were engaged in a series of actions (and suffering casualties) at Buffel's Hoek, Otto's Hoek (where the Bushmen lost their C.O.), Lichtenburg later in August, then Utralskop and Reitfontein. Any misgivings some might have had about fielding Bushmen were groundless; doubtless due to thorough in-country training in Cossack posts, patrolling, fore and after guard duties and camp security.
Both Gen. Carrington and Lord Methuen complimented the S.A.Bushmen; the former after their mounted charge to clear the kopjies at Buffel's Hoek on 14/8/00 and the latter in a letter to the S.A.Bushmen's Committee; in which he pointedly expressed praise for "the splendid work performed by the squadron" and further "I cannot concieve of any body of men of whom a commander has greater reason to be proud". He bade farewell to his Bushmen in May of 1901 and they embarked for Home at the end of the month. The physical cost to the S.A.Bushmen was five killed or died, eleven wounded, ten invalided sick to Australia and two prisoners taken. Over 25% casualties during a year in the field is a testimony to the severity of their service.
Given the public enthusiasm displayed on the departure of the Bushmen, there appears to have been no Welcome Home parade when they returned. However, HRH the Duke of Cornwall (later KGV) conducted a Royal Visit to Adelaide in 7/01 and - on the 13th July consented to publicly presenting medals for SA service to contingent members. Free rail warrants were available. Later there was a Military Tattoo in Adelaide in which returned SA contingents paraded. These apparently serving as a Welcome Home.
Clearly, James Mullins the younger had seen sufficient active service, thank you - and there is no record of him serving in the AIF in the Great War. James Mullins the el der, however, enlisted in the Australian Light Horse as a "colt breaker" on 8/10/1915; aged 55 years and three months with previous service. He was discharged just five weeks later - pre-existing back injury and general debility. He saw no overseas service in the Great War. At least one or other of the Mullins family was active in the post war activities of the South Australian South African Association; with the family medals came an impressive array of associated memorabilia.
In conclusion, it should be said that of the nine contingents sent to South Africa from South Australia )including those of the Aust. Comm.Horse), local historians regard the 3rd Bushmen as taking pride of place. Of the nine, it alone was funded by the public, it enlisted at a time of great perceived threat to the Empire, it's departure was a solid gesture of solidarity - and the squadron's record in the field was enviable.
Regards to all
IL.
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The following user(s) said Thank You: Frank Kelley, rgbmau

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Father & Son in the South Aust. Bushmen 7 years 8 months ago #47331

  • Rory
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A beautiful pair IL - makes the hobby so rewarding!

I had (and parted with) a father /son pair to the surname Cavanagh of the 2nd ILH. Still wonder at my folly in getting shot of them...

Good story too - thank you

Rory

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Father & Son in the South Aust. Bushmen 7 years 8 months ago #47332

  • Brett Hendey
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IL
Thank you for a most interesting and informative post. I learnt a lot that is new to me. The focus of my attention, events in Natal, regrettably did not involve Australian regiments, although many of your countrymen enlisted in the irregular regiments raised in Natal.
Regards
Brett

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Father & Son in the South Aust. Bushmen 7 years 8 months ago #47333

  • LinneyI
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Rory and Brett
Thanks for the kind remarks. As a result of the Mullins' topic, I hoped to hear of other Father and Son QSA combinations. Brett, a few of the earlier Australian contingents had a ropey start (see my topic of some time ago re "The Fatal Fifth"). However, once trained and led by experienced officers and NCOs, they proved to be excellent soldiers. The lessons in training were fully taken to heart - and the training of the Australian Commonwealth Horse was first rate. However, they got into the field a bit late.
Australian Colonial QSAs are getting to be very scarce these days.
Best regards
IL.

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Father & Son in the South Aust. Bushmen 7 years 8 months ago #47335

  • QSAMIKE
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Good Morning IL.........

Great read, I have a couple of Father / Son and Brother sets.......

Mostly Father BW and Son WW1 but the Brothers are BW......

Would love to get a Father / Son BW set......

You are very lucky to have these......

Mike
Life Member
Past-President Calgary
Military Historical Society
O.M.R.S. 1591

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Father & Son in the South Aust. Bushmen 6 years 10 months ago #53433

  • rgbmau
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It is amazing to find this post. James Bruce Mullins is my husband's great uncle and James Edward, his 1st cousin once removed.

We were aware though family history research that they served in the Boer War but have found very little information on them, thought finding a newspaper article with a photo was a major find.

Thank you so much for sharing this info. Would be very grateful to received any other information you would be willing to share.

Many thanks again
Rosemary

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