Goldfields Battalion of Infantry 1900-1901
This unit was formed on the 7th June 1900 as the Goldfields Battalion of Infantry, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Judd. It consisted of various companies in Kalgoorlie, Coolgardie, Boulder, Kanowna and Menzies. On the 3rd September 1900, as part of the modernisation of the WADF, it was renamed to the 5th (Goldfields) Battalion, Infantry Brigade. When it passed to federal control it was renamed to the Goldfields Regiment which existed for a long time afterwards.
In 1902, 3 companies of the unit: Kalgoorlie, Boulder and Menzies, took part in the Flemming Cup with the following results:
Menzies: 4th Place out of 14
Boulder: 7th Place out of 14
Kalgoorlie: 11th Place out of 14
During the 2nd Boer War, 14 members of the Goldfields Infantry served in South Africa. 8 in the 5th WAMI and 6 in the 6th WAMI. None of them suffered casualties and 1 was mentioned in CO’s despatches. The 14 members consisted of: 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Corporal, 1 Bugler and 10 Privates.
5th WAMI
Name | Rank | Birthplace | Job | Age | Service Notes | Campaign Notes |
176. Walter Summerhayes | Bugler | England | Carpenter in Kalgoorlie | 30 | Previous service in the SA Infantry (3 Years) unknown time in the Kalgoorlie Infantry Company | |
240. Francis A Kiely | Pte | VIC | Stockman in Coolgardie | 33 | Unknown amount of time in the Coolgardie Infantry | |
284. George Jamieson | Pte | New Zealand | Miner in Kanowna | 25 | Unknown amount of time in the Goldfields Infantry | |
286. Albert D Thorpe | Pte | SA | Printer in Kanowna | 23 | Unknown amount of time in the Goldfields Infantry | |
William Frederick Bollinger | Bollinger | Commercial Traveller | 30 | 6 Months in the Boulder Rifle Company | ||
Harold M Downes | Lt Cpt (Jan 1902) | 8 Months in the Goldfields Infantry | ||||
Jack L Ochiltree | Lt | 8 Months in the Goldfields Infantry | Mentioned In C.O. Despatches |
6th WAMI
345. Otto Teehow | Pte | VIC | Engine Driver in Perth | 22 | In the Goldfields Infantry | |
410. Frederick J Kindon | Pte | London | Clerk in Perth | 28 | Previous Service in the NSW Naval Artillery (2 Years) 9 Months in the Coolgardie Infantry Company, Goldfields Battalion Of Infantry | |
462. John H Pritchard | Pte | VIC | Mill Hand in Kalgoorlie | 21 | 6 Months in the Goldfields Infantry | |
463. Arthur F Whiteside | Cpl | NSW | Station Hand in Kalgoorlie | 23 | 8 Months in the Goldfields Infantry | |
472. John Evans | Pte | VIC | Miner in Kalgoorlie | 25 | Previous service in the Victorian Infantry (2 Years 6 Months) 8 Months in the Goldfields Infantry | |
478. Charles A Chichester | Pte | England | Clerk in Kalgoorlie | 29 | 7 Months in the Goldfields Infantry | |
158. Cuthbert H Cobb | Pte | VIC | Fireman in Kalgoorlie | 30 | In the Goldfields Infantry |
LIST OF OFFICERS
Lieutenant Colonel
Henry A Judd (17/7/00-1/7/03)
Was commanding officer of the 5th (Goldfields) Battalion, Infantry Brigade from 1901-1903. Was commanding officer of the Goldfields Infantry Regiment from 1903-1904. Continued to serve in the unit when it became the Goldfields Infantry Regiment until 1904. Had previously served as an enlisted in the 2nd Surrey Volunteer Rifles in 1883 and the West Kent Yeomanry from 1884-1891.
Captains
Somerville B Davies
Eugene T Randall (26/5/00-1/7/03)
John M Finnerty (17/7/00-1/7/03)
Continued to serve in the unit when it became the Goldfields Infantry Regiment until 1910 rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Was the commanding officer of the Goldfields Infantry Regiment from 1908-1910. Previously had served as an enlisted in the 4th Warwickshire Volunteer Rifle Corps from 1871 to 1872. Probably was in his 60’s when he retired.
H M Downes (17/7/00-11/12/00)
Saw service in the 2nd Boer War as a Lieutenant in the 5th WAMI later rising to the rank of Captain. He was awarded 1 war medal.
William L Owen (17/7/00-1/7/03)
Continued to serve in the unit when it became the Goldfields Infantry Regiment until 1905 rising to the rank of Major. Served in the 18th Light Horse Regiment from 1905-1906 as a Major.
James L Johnston (1/8/00-1/11/02)
Returned back to the unit in 1903 when it became the Goldfields Infantry Regiment rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Commanded the Goldfields Infantry Regiment In 1912. Commanded the 84th Infantry Regiment from 1912-1914. Commanded the 11th Battalion in the Great War from 1914-1915 and served throughout the war. Returned home and commanded the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Pioneer Regiment from 1918-1920 before retiring. Had served as an enlisted bugler in the 1st Aberdeenshire Rifles from 1877-1881, the Cape Town Rifles as a Sergeant in 1883 and the Calcutta Volunteer Rifles from 1884-1888. He was awarded 3 war medals and 2 long service medals.
William H Moulton (4/9/00-14/1/01)
Stephen R Roberts (4/9/00-1/9/02)
Retired from 1902-1908 before becoming a Captain in the 11th Infantry Regiment. From 1911-1914 he was a major in the 88th Infantry Regiment. Served as the 2IC of the 11th Battalion in the Great War from 1914-1916. Commanded the 11th Battalion in the Great War from 1916-1918. Commanded the 88th Infantry Regiment in 1918. Returned to the 11th Infantry Regiment in 1918 as a major and commanded the 2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry Brigade in 1920. He was awarded a DSO, MID and 3 other war medals.
Thomas C Elliot (15/1/01-1/5/03)
Lieutenants
Charles R Davies (5/3/00-1/7/03)
Continued to serve in the unit when it became the Goldfields Infantry Regiment rising to the rank of Major by 1912. From 1912-1915 served as a Major in the 84th Infantry Regiment. From 1915-1916 was 2ic of the 28th Battalion in the Great War. From 1916-1918 was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and commanded the 58th Battalion in the Great War. From 1918-1920 served as a Major in the 2nd Pioneer Regiment and then retired. He was awarded an OBE and 2 other war medals.
Edmund P Dowley (4/9/00-1/7/03)
Continued to serve in the unit when it became the Goldfields Infantry Regiment until 1909 rising to the rank of Major.
2nd Lieutenants
C.J. Maroney (1/7/00-1/1/03)
Leonard Munn (1/8/00-22/10/01)
Charles R C Stewart (1/8/00-1/2/02)
Had previously served as an enlisted from 1897-1898.
Henry H Bawden (4/9/00-1/4/01)
John P Stuart (29/10/00-11/6/00)
Frederick J West (29/10/00-21/11/03)z
William J Cotter (17/7/00-8/9/02)
Jack L Ochiltree (17/7/00-11/12/00)
Served in the 2nd Boer War with the 5th WAMI as a Lieutenant. He was awarded an MID and 1 war medal.
H.C.F. Scott (17/7/00-1/1/03)
Cottingham J Griffith (10/11/00-11/12/00)
Served in the 2nd Boer War with the 5th WAMI with the rank of Lieutenant. He was awarded 1 war medal.
Sydney Elliot (15/1/01-/1/1/03)
John N Hankin (15/1/01-????)