-
coldstream
-
-
Offline
-
Moderator
-
-
Posts: 2056
-
Thank you received: 214
-
-
-
-
|
Hello Ian,
A superb example and a good write up, thank you for sharing.
Paul  LinneyI wrote: Forum members
QSA medals to Australian units are seldom featured on this site; so herewith is submitted a five-clasper named to one of the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles - later to be known as the "Fateful Fifth".
As an aside, it should be noted that it is not always possible to discern the contingent by the impressed details on an OZ QSA. In the illustrated instance, the unit is simply shown as "Victorian Mounted Rifles" and in any doubt, Murray's Official Records has to be consulted.
Frederick William Edwards, married, born 5th June 1876 and by occupation a baker, enlisted in 5VMR on 29011901 and stated "no previous service". After a short time in camp, the 1008 all ranks (and horses) of 5VMR embarked for SA during the middle of 2/1901 - taking up no less than three transports. Once in SA, 5VMR was mobilised at Pretoria in early 4/1901 and moved into the Eastern Transvaal to join Gen. Beatson's column.
5VMR were rapidly in touch with the enemy and suffered casualties - but also achieved some important captures; including a large convoy at Leewfontein. Shortly afterwards, to sweep a wider area, 5VMR were split into left and right wings of equal force. Sweeps continued apace and provided a large bag of prisoners, surrenderers, rifles/ammunition and livestock.
On 12061901, the left wing of 5VMR (sqns E,F,G,H) encamped at Wilmansrust farm; a location noted then or later as being dominated by three nearby kopjies and not easy to defend. Boers were seen hearding cattle in the distance and the security of the encampment was entrusted to four widely spaced outposts - "following Indian Cavalry practice"; the camp CO had been seconded from the Indian Army. No standing patrols were ordered between outposts and there was no inner picket line. Trouble was not expected.
Trouble hit H Sqn. at 7.45PM at very close quarters - in the form of about 150 khaki clad Boers. Inexcusably, the men did not have their rifles at hand, confusion reigned supreme and panic quickly spread. The whole camp was over-run in minutes. The price was reportedly 22 KiA (including a hensopper summarily executed), 42 WiA and the remainder either briefly captured or escaped the scene. The 5VMR captives were abandoned as the Burghers made off with the very considerable spoils.
As Pte. F.W.Edwards was not listed as a casualty of the Wilmansrust disaster, it is of course impossible to say if he was a brief captive, or escaped - or was even a member of left wing, 5VMR. Nevertheless, the odium of Wilmansrust clung to the whole of 5VMR; the "Fateful Fifth".
Harsh words were subsequently uttered to 5VMR by Gen. Beatson, rebellious conduct was noted by several rank-and-file. Courts Martial sentenced four men to be shot, later reduced to 10 yrs HL and finally quashed by KofK. The inevitable Court of Enquiry found the camp commander, Maj. Morris, responsible and Gen. Beatson was later transferred back to India after only serving six months of his secondment.
The Wilmansrust affair caused a great furore in the Aust. press; with much partisan comment. However, whilst Gen. Beatson left the field, 5VMR did not and redeemed their tarnished start by soldiering on and , in the words of Stirling, "did carry out very fine work". Indeed, operating in the SE Transvaal in late 1901 under Col. Pulteney, that officer was moved to comment that 5VMR was "the finest irregular unit in the field" - which shows what can be achieved when experienced men are led by good officers.
5VMR returned to Melbourne on 27/28 March 1902 and that was enough soldiering for Frederick William Edwards. A search of archives revealed the simple statement: "No Further Service".
Regards to all who have read this far
IL.
"From a billow of the rolling veldt we looked back, and black columns were coming up behind us."
|
