Western Australian Defence Force Honour Roll
Home Service
Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Contingent
Major Alfred James Hillman
Born: ?
Resident: Perth
Major Hillman was the 71 year old CO of the Perth Infantry which he had served in for 22 years. He died of old age on the 27th May 1884 and was buried with full military honours, including a parade of 50 men, 1 gun and many officers from other units.
Private Sneller
Born: ?
Resident: Geraldton
Private Sneller was a 23 year old soldier in the Geraldton Infantry. He was killed in Gibraltar when a block fell from the rigging of the ship, killing him instantly. He was the first member of the WADF to die overseas. 50 pounds was collected from passengers on the ship to erect a memorial.
1st Western Australian Mounted Rifles (1 WAMI)
The 1st WAMI had 2 officers and 4 enlisted die on deployment. 3 were killed in action and 3 died of wounds.
Corporal Michael Conway
Born: Victoria
Resident: Perth
Corporal Conway was a 28 year old tramway employee at the time of enlistment. He had previously served in the Victorian Artillery & Perth Artillery. Initially enlisting as a private he received the rank of corporal very quickly. During the battle of W.A. Hill, Lieutenant Hensman was severely wounded in the leg.
Private Krygger immediately came to the assistance of the injured officer and asked for Conway’s help in creating a small tent to cover the Lieutenant. While grabbing a handful of sand to hold down the tent, Conway was shot in the head with an explosive bullet and killed instantly. He was the first ever Western Australian soldier to be killed in war. KIA 9/2/00.
Quartermaster-Sergeant George Neville Bishop
Born: New South Wales
Resident: Fremantle
Sergeant Bishop was a 24 year old accountant at the time of enlistment. He had previously served in the Fremantle Infantry for 8 months. Initially enlisting as a corporal he received the rank of quartermaster-sergeant quickly. During the battle of W.A. Hill he was heavily wounded. His wounds led to exposure and he died 5 days later of fever and sunstroke. DOW 14/2/00
Lieutenant Geoffrey Gordon Hensman
Born: Bermuda
Resident: Outback WA
Lieutenant Hensman was a 24 year old miner at the time of enlistment. He had previously served in the Royal Horse Guards. He enlisted in the 1st WAMI with the rank of Lieutenant. During the battle of W.A. Hill he was severely wounded in the leg. He died of his wounds 1 month later at Cape Town. He was the first ever Western Australian Officer to be killed in war. DOW 12/3/00
Major Hatherly George Moor
Born: England
Resident: Albany
Major Moor was a professional artillery officer at the time of enlistment. He had previously served in many Royal Artillery units and in the Mashonaland campaign in Africa. He was the commanding officer of the WADF Permanent Force Artillery for 6 months. He enlisted in the 1st WAMI with the rank of Captain and commanding officer but was quickly promoted to Major.
During the Battle Of Palmietfontein the entire 1st WAMI charged an enemy Boer ridge on horseback. During the charge Major Moor was mortally wounded and died minutes later. He was the highest ranked officer Western Australian Officer to die in the war. KIA 19/7/00
Private Murray William Collett
Born: Guernsey
Resident: Perth
Private Collett was a 21 year old clerk at the time of enlistment. He had previously served in the Perth Infantry for 18 months. He enlisted in the 1st WAMI with the rank of private. During the Battle of Palmietfontein the entire 1st WAMI charged an enemy Boer ridge on horseback. During the charge Private Collett was killed instantly. KIA 19/7/00
Private Harold Force DCM
Born: South Australia
Resident: Perth
Private Force was a 20 year old labourer at the time of enlistment. He had previously served in the Perth infantry for 5 months. He enlisted in the 1st WAMI with the rank of private. During the battle of Waterval Onder, Private Force noticed a trap being implemented by the Boers and rode out to warn the Lieutenant Oliver (2nd WAMI) and Lieutenant Darling (1st WAMI). Once arriving at Darling’s position he fought against relentless Boer fire. On multiple occasions he saved other soldiers.
During the battle, he was wounded and died 2 weeks later from his wounds. He received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions. DOW 14/9/00
3rd Western Australian Citizens Bushmen
The 3rd WAMI had 6 enlisted die on deployment. 3 Died of Disease, 2 Died of Wounds and 1 Died of Injuries.
Private Edgar Anthony Hambly
Born: New South Wales
Resident: Outback W.A.
Private Hambly was a 33 year old prospector at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted in the 3rd WAMI with the rank of private. He died of fever at Buluwayo just after arriving in South Africa. DOD 26/6/00
Private Thomas Hotspur Angel DCM
Private Angel was a 30 year old teamster at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted in the 3rd WAMI with the rank of private. During the battle of De Burg’s Pass, Angel showed great gallantry and was awarded the DCM. He was wounded in the battle and died of wounds 2 weeks later. DOW 23/4/01
Private William John McPhee
Born: Victoria
Resident: ???
Private McPhee was a 27 year old woodcutter at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted in the 3rd WAMI with the rank of private. He died under anaesthetic at Buluwayo just after arriving in South Africa. DOI 2/7/00
Private James Hume
Born: Victoria
Resident: Outback W.A.
Private Hume was a 27 year old miner from Kalgoorlie at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted in the 3rd WAMI with the rank of private. Upon returning to Fremantle, he died of enteric fever. DOD 1/6/01
Private John Roscoe
Born: Victoria
Resident: ???
Private Roscoe was a 31 year old prospector at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted in the 3rd WAMI with the rank of private. He was severely wounded in the Battle of Eland’s River and later died of his wounds in Johannesburg. DOW 3/11/00
Private Henry White
Born: Victoria
Resident: Outback W.A.
Private White was a 34 year old station hand at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted in the 3rd WAMI with the rank of private. Upon returning to Melbourne, he died of exposure from war service. DOD 4/6/01
4th Western Australian Imperial Bushmen
The 4th WAMI had 3 enlisted die on deployment all of whom were killed in action.
Private James Kay
Born: Victoria
Resident: Fremantle
Private Kay was a 33 year old railway employee at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted in the 4th WAMI with the rank of private. During the Battle of Palmietfontein, he was linked with the 1st WAMI when they charged an enemy Boer ridge on horseback. During the charge Private Kay was killed. KIA 19/7/00
Private Ernest George
Iles
Born: Western Australia
Resident: Mount Margaret
Private Iles was a 21 year old prospector at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted in the 4th WAMI with the rank of private. He was killed in action at Jagersfontein. KIA 24/8/00
Lance Corporal William Fraser
Born: Victoria
Resident: Kanowna
Lance Corporal Fraser was a 29 year old miner at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted in the 4th WAMI as a private but was quickly promoted to lance corporal. He was killed in action at Pietersburg. KIA 8/4/01
5th Western Australian Mounted Infantry
The 5th WAMI suffered 1 Officer and 8 enlisted killed on deployment. 7 were killed in action and 2 died of disease.
Private Herbert Solomon
Born: South Australia
Resident: Northam (Working in Kalgoorlie)
Private Herbert Solomon was a 20 year old miner at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted in the 5th WAMI with the rank of private. He was treacherously shot at Jankanisteke Farm. He was an incredibly popular resident of Northam and his death was sorely felt. KIA 15/4/01
Corporal William Frederick Bollinger
Born: ???
Resident: Boulder
Corporal William Bollinger was a 30 year old commercial traveller at the time of enlistment. He had previously served 6 months in the Boulder rifle corps of the 5th Battalion (Goldfields). He enlisted in the 5th WAMI with the rank of Corporal. He was immediately shot in the heart by an ambush at the start of the battle of Carolina. KIA 15/5/01
Private Walter Parker
Born: Gingin, Western Australia
Resident: Coolgardie
Private Walter Parker was a 26 year old labourer at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. He died of enteric at Standerton. DOD 22/1/02
Private Arthur Hammond
Born: South Australia
Resident: Perth
Private Arthur Hammond was a 22 year old clerk at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. Killed by a Boer while attempting to apprehend him on horseback after his gun had jammed. KIA 1/2/02
Lieutenant Anthony Alexander Forrest MID
Born: Perth, Western Australia
Resident: Perth
Lieutenant Forrest was a 16 year old football player at the time of enlistment. He was the nephew of Sir John Forrest (Count of Bunbury), who was the first premier of Western Australia. Forrest was still attending Hale school when he enlisted. He was made a Lieutenant and during his tour was awarded a MID. He was immediately shot in the head by an ambush at the start of the battle of Carolina. KIA 15/5/01 More can be read about his life here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Alexander_Forrest
Private Robert Alday
Born: Victoria
Resident: Perth
Private Robert Alday was a 21 year old miner at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. Killed by a Boer while attempting to apprehend him on horseback. KIA 1/2/02
Sergeant Frederick Francis Edwards
Born: England
Resident: ???
Sergeant Frederick Edwards was a 24 year old clerk at the time of enlistment. He had 15 months previous service in English units and previous service with the 1st WAMI as a private. He enlisted in the 5th WAMI with the rank of Lance Corporal but was soon promoted to Sergeant. He was immediately shot in the head by an ambush at the start of the battle of Carolina. KIA 15/5/01
Farrier-Sergeant Robert Henry McGregor
Born: Victoria
Resident: Collie
Farrier-Sergeant Robert McGregor was a 34 year old horse-breaker at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of Farrier-Private but was quickly promoted to Farrier-Sergeant. He died of pneumonia at Middelburg. DOD 20/5/01
Lance Corporal James George Dalliston
Born: Victoria
Resident: Coolgaride
Lance Corporal James Dalliston was a 30 year old miner at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of Lance Corporal. Killed by a Boer while attempting to apprehend him on horseback KIA 1/2/02
6th Western Australian Mounted Infantry
The 6th WAMI suffered 2 Officers and 13 Enlisted killed on deployment. 8 were killed in action, 4 died of disease, 2 died of wounds and 1 died of injuries.
Private Richard Walter Spencer
Born: Albany, Western Australia
Resident: Perth
Private Richard Spencer was a 21 year old mill hand at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. Died of Enteric. DOD 14/5/01
Private Frank Page
Born: South Australia
Resident: Perth
Private Frank Page was a 21 year old blacksmith’s striker at the time of enlistment. He had previously served 9 months in the Fremantle Infantry. He enlisted with the rank of private. Killed in action in the battle of Carolina. KIA 15/5/01
Private Clarence Chudleight Clifford
Born: ???
Resident: ???
Private Clarence Clifford enlisted with the rank of private. Ambushed and killed in action in the battle of Renshoogte. KIA 23/6/01
Private James Delahunty
Born: Victoria
Resident: Collie
Private James Delahunty was a 28 year old bushman at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. He was killed when a boer who had “surrendered” opened fire and killed him in the Bladplaat engagement. KIA 16/10/01
Private Oliver Edwin Fry
Born: South Australia
Resident: Perth
Private Oliver Fry was a 20 year old draper at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. He died of enteric at Standerton. DOD 22/12/01
Lieutenant George Augustus Moris
Born: Victoria
Resident: ???
Lieutenant George Moris was a 24 year old miner at the time of enlistment. Previously served 1 year in the Victorian Royal Horse Artillery. He also served in South Africa with the 1st WAMI as a private. He enlisted with the rank of Lieutenant. Killed in action in an engagement at Rolspruit. KIA 3/2/02
Private Francis Thomas Adam
Born: London, U.K.
Resident: Collie
Private Francis Adam was a 30 year old coal miner at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. Killed in action during the battle of Carolina. KIA 15/5/01
Private John Semple
Born: New Zealand
Resident: Collie
Private John Semple was a 21 year old miner at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. Killed in action in the battle of Carolina.KIA 15/5/01
Private George Westcott
Born: Victoria
Resident: Pinjarra
Private George Westcott was a 21 year old porter at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. Ambushed and killed in action in the battle of Renshoogte. KIA 23/6/01
Private Thomas Henry Wilson
Born: South Australia
Resident: Menzies
Private Thomas Wilson was a 22 year old miner at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. He died of enteric at Standerton. DOD 12/12/01
Private John Bates Milne Thurston
Born: Fiji
Resident:???
Private John Thurston was a 22 year old stockman at the time of enlistment. He had previously served with the 2nd WAMI. He enlisted with the rank of private. He died of pneumonia at Standerton. DOD 30/12/01
Private Robert Thomas Hunter
Born: Victoria
Resident: Kalgoorlie
Private Robert Hunter was a 22 year old station hand at the time of enlistment. Had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. Accidentally shot himself on an unknown date. DOI ????
Private Benjamin Fisher
Born: New South Wales
Resident: Perth
Private Benjamin Fisher was a 23 year old labourer at the time of enlistment. He had no previous military service. He enlisted with the rank of private. Killed in action in the battle of Carolina.KIA 15/5/01
Private Arthur Blanck
Born: South Australia
Resident: Perth
Private Arthur Blanck was a 21 year old carpenter at the time of enlistment. He previously served 2 years in the Perth Artillery. He enlisted with the rank of private. Died of wounds sustained in the battle of Carolina 3 days later. DOW 18/5/01
Lieutenant Stanley Spencer Reid
Lieutenant Stanley Spencer Reid
Born: Swan Hill, Victoria
Resident: Boulder
Lieutenant Stanley Spencer was a 28 year old clergyman at the time of enlistment. He had previously served in the Victorian Mounted Rifles for 18 months. He had also deployed to South Africa with the 2nd WAMI as a private. He enlisted with the rank of Lieutenant. Ambushed and mortally wounded in the battle of Renshoogte, he died of wounds in Middelburg a few hours later. DOW 23/6/01
More can be read about his very interesting life here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stan_Reid
