1st Western Australian Mounted Infantry

The 1^st WAMI (W.A. MTD INF) was raised in mid-October 1899 and trained throughout October and November at Karrakatta Camp before departing for South Africa on the S.S. Medic on the 7^th November 1899. The contingent consisted of 5 Officers, 2 Warrant Officers, 15 NCO’s and 106 enlisted ranks totalling 130 men under the command of Major Hatherly G Moor. It consisted of an attached machine gun section of 8 men with 2 Maxim Machine Guns.

Officers	5
Warrant Officers	2
NCO’s	15
Enlisted	106

To join men had to be between the age of 20 & 35, be unmarried and most had previous service in the Australian colonial military forces.

Each soldier was given the following:

2x Khaki drill jackets

3x Khaki drill trousers

3x Flannel shirts

3x Pairs of woollen socks

1x Slouch hat

1x Glengarry cap

1x Greatcoat

1x Pair of ankle-boots

1x Blue Guernsey

1x Shoe polish tin

1x Pair of braces

1x Set of brushes

1x Button Holder

1x Supply set of (1x comb, knife, fork, spoon, holdall, clasp-knife, soap, sponge and 2 towels)

1x Kit set of (1x lanyard, canvas kit bag, razor with case)

1x M.L.E. Rifle and bayonet

1x Infantry valise equipment

1x Set of entrenching tools.

Each soldier was paid the following per day: Note: currency is present day $AU and not historical British pound.

Captains and above – 23.6 shillings ($173 per day) ($66,778 for deployment)

Lieutenants – 19 shillings ($140 per day) ($54,040 for deployment)

Warrant Officers – 9 shillings ($66 per day) ($25,476 for deployment)

Sergeants – 8 shillings ($59 per day) ($22,774 for deployment)

Corporals – 7 shillings ($51 per day) ($19,686 for deployment)

Lance Corporal – 5 shillings ($36 per day) ($13,896 for deployment)

Privates – 4.6 shillings ($33 per day) ($12,738 for deployment)

The contingent arrived in Cape Town on the 26^th Nov 1899 and was immediately attached to the “Australian Regiment” which conducted operations in a relatively safe part of the Cape Colony from Nov 1899 – Feb 1900. Throughout all of February around Slingersfontein and Arundel, the 1^st WAMI was continuously engaged and fought the well known battle of W.A. Hill. Throughout most of March and April the 1^st WAMI only saw some action as they were mostly restricted to marching. May & June saw a major Imperial offensive and the West Australians saw numerous actions, most notably at Vet River, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill.

From Jul – Nov 1900 the 1^st WAMI saw many action in many engagements throughout the Transvaal and Orange Free State. The contingent departed back for Australia on the 13^th December 1900. The 1^st WAMI suffered 6 Killed and 26 non-fatal casualties. Members of the contingent had received 3 Distinguished Service orders, 5 Distinguished Conduct Medals and 6 Mentioned in Despatches.