| Antill | John Macquaire | | Major | Of Sydney, and of the Australian Club, was born in NSW Jan 26, 1866. He raised and commanded a squadron of Mounted Rifles at Picton, NSW in 1889; was selected by the general officer commanding for training with the Imperial troops in India, 1893-4, where he gained certificates as an instructor. He joined the General Staff as Permanent Adjt. of the Mounted Rifle Regiment in South Africa, 1894, and commanded the 1st contingent of Mounted Rifles there; served in the Boer War in 1899-1901, chiefly in De Lisle's corps under Generals Ian Hamilton, Alderson, and Hutton. Until Feb, 1900, he was in command of a detachment NW of Cape Colony, when he joined Lord Roberts' advance and was present at the relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Poplar Grove, Driefontein, the occupation of Bloemfontein, actions at the Vet and Zand Rivers, Johannesburg, and Pretoria (June 4), Diamond Hill, and the operations in connection with the pursuit of De Wet in the Wittcbergen (mentioned in despatches, CB). On his return to NS Wales he was appointed Chief Instructor of the Australian Light Horse, ADC to the Governor-General, and promoted Lieutenant Colonel for his services. He married Oct 24, 1901, Agnes, eldest daughter of Thomas Polk Willsallen, of Gunnedale, NSW.
Source: List of CB recipients. Various sources |
