After the federation of Australia in 1901 it was recognised that each state maintaining its own units was impractical compared to an organized federal military structure. As such by 1902 all contingents that were sent to South Africa were federal and known as the Commonwealth Horse. The Commonwealth Horse totalled 8 battalions of which 3 squadrons were made of West Australians.
E Company, 2nd Battalion, Commonwealth Horse
This was a half company raised in early 1902 and departed for South Africa on the 26th February 1902 with 2 officers and 58 men under the command of Lt Davies. This contingent managed to see some active service particularly in May. The war ended very quickly and the squadron set sail for Australia on the 5th July 1902 after only a 4 month deployment. There were no casualties and no awards.
Nominal Roll
2nd Battalion, Commonwealth Horse West Australian Medical Section
This was a medical section attached to the 2nd Battalion. It consisted of 1 officer and 7 men under the command of Cpt Nyulasy.
D Company, 4th Battalion, Commonwealth Horse
This was a full company raised in early 1902 and departed for South Africa on the 7th April 1902 with 5 officers and 115 men under the command of Cpt Robertson. It arrived just weeks before the end of the war and saw no action. It set sail for Australia on the 11th July 1902 after only a 2 month deployment. There were no casualties and no awards.
D Squadron, 8th Battalion, Commonwealth Horse
This was a full company raised in mid 1902 and departed for South Africa on the 2nd June 1902 (2 days after the war had ended). No. 1 Troop was from Perth, No. 2 Troop was Regional (Bunbury (14), Geraldton (6), Northam (6) and Albany (3). No. 3 and No. 4 Troops were from the Goldfields. It undertook no operations and departed back for Australia in July after less than month long deployment. There were no casualties and no awards.
