Overview

The Western Australian Mounted Infantry in the 2nd Boer War

Phase 1: 1899-1900

Men of the 1st WAMI
Men of the 1st WAMI

Western Australia’s first military contribution to the empire in South Africa began even before the war began. In October 1899 it was clear that war was inevitable and the 1st WAMI was created and arrived in South Africa the following month, the 2nd WAMI departed not long after. These initial 2 contingents were made up primarily of former soldiers from across Australia and were a squadron each in size. They saw a great deal of action in primarily between May-Jul 1900 against coherent enemy forces but after this they began to face a commando insurgency. Both contingents arrived back in Western Australia by December 1900, ending the first phase of Western Australia’s contribution. Casualties: 6 Killed, 54 Wounded. *The 1st WAMI has a Maxim gun section.

Phase 2: 1900-1901

Men of the 3rd WAMI
Men of the 3rd WAMI

The second phase of the WAMI was the creation of 2 Bushmen contingents. These Bushmen contingents were made up primarily of Western Australians from the country and were often older than the 1st & 2nd WAMI (Primarily men in their thirties). Most of them had no previous military service and rather than having the elegant uniforms of the 1st & 2nd WAMI they wore tacky bush gear. They departed for the front between Apr-Jun 1900. The 3rd & 4th WAMI were limited to fighting the commando insurgency with the one exception being the big Battle Of Koster’s River (as well as a small platoon of men at the siege of Eland’s River). These squadrons suffered more from disease then enemy action. Both contingents were back home by Jul 1901. A small nursing contingent of 11 women was also sent. Casualties: 9 Killed, 27 Wounded.

Phase 3: 1901-1902

Officers of the 6th WAMI
Officers of the 6th WAMI (Note: The black armband worn is due to the recent death of Queen Victoria)

The third and largest phase of the Western Australian military contribution to the 2nd Boer War was the deployment of the 5th & 6th WAMI. Each of these contingents was 2 squadrons strong. They were made up of a mixture of former veterans from the 1st wave, experienced military personnel and raw recruits, all of whom were mostly from Western Australia. They wore a khaki uniform. These 2 contingents consisted of more men than the first 4 contingents combined. The 5th & 6th WAMI were merged together upon arrival in April 1901 as a full battalion and were immediately engaged in brutal ambushes by the commando insurgency. They spent the next year in the Transvaal taking part in counter-insurgency and returned home by April 1902. Casualties: 24 Killed, 21 Wounded.

Phase 4: 1902

West Australian Officers of the 2nd, 4th & 8th Commonwealth Battalions of Horse.
West Australian Officers of the 2nd, 4th & 8th Commonwealth Battalions of Horse.

The final phase of the war saw the creation of 3 squadrons in the Commonwealth Battalion of Horse, a federal unit. These all arrived too late to see any real action. Casualties: None.

Units

Unit
Officers
Men
Commanding Officer
Tour Of Duty
1st Western Australian Mounted Rifles
5
125
Major Moor
27th November 1899-13th December 1900 (381 Days)
2nd Western Australian Mounted Infantry
10
93
Lieutenant Colonel Pilkington
24th February 1900-7th November 1900 (256 Days)
Western Australian Nurses Contingent
0
11
Sup Nicolay
April 1900-~Early-Mid 1901
3rd Western Australian Imperial Bushmen
8
108
Lieutenant Colonel Vialls
18th April 1900-1st April 1901 (348 Days)
4th Western Australian Citizen’s Bushmen
9
118
Major Rose
19th June 1900-5th July 1901 (382 Days)
5th Western Australian Mounted Infantry
16
205
Captain Darling
28th March 1901-7th April 1902 (376 Days)
6th Western Australian Mounted Infantry
14
214
Captain Campbell
29th April 1901-7th April 1902 (344 Days)
E Company, 2nd Battalion,  Australian Commonwealth Horse
2
58
Lieutenant Davies
14th March 1902-5th July 1902 (114 Days)
D Company, 4th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse
5
115
Captain Robertson
29th April 1902-30th July 1902 (93 Days)
D Squadron, 8th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse
4
116
Captain Roberts
19th June 1902-30th July 1902 (42 Days)

Casualties

Unit
Deaths
Wounded
1st Western Australian Mounted Rifles
Killed In Action: 3 Died of Wounds: 3 Died of Disease: 0 Died of Injuries: 0 Total: 6
Wounded: 22 Injured: 3 Sick: 2 Invalided: 10 Total: 37
2nd Western Australian Mounted Infantry
Killed In Action: 0 Died of Wounds: 0 Died of Disease: 0 Died of Injuries: 0 Total: 0
Wounded: 14 Injured: 1 Sick: 0 Invalided: 2 Total: 17
3rd Western Australian Imperial Bushmen
Killed In Action: 0 Died of Wounds: 2 Died of Disease: 3 Died of Injuries: 1 Total: 6
Wounded: 10 Injured: 1 Sick: 0 Invalided: 1 Total: 12
4th Western Australian Citizen’s Bushmen
Killed In Action: 3 Died of Wounds: 0 Died of Disease: 0 Died of Injuries: 0 Total: 3
Wounded: 10 Injured: 1 Sick: 4 Invalided: 0 Total: 15
5th Western Australian Mounted Infantry
Killed In Action: 7 Died of Wounds: 0 Died of Disease: 2 Died of Injuries: 0 Total: 9
Wounded: 9 Injured: 0 Sick: 1 Invalided: 2 Total: 11
6th Western Australian Mounted Infantry
Killed In Action: 8 Died of Wounds: 2 Died of Disease: 4 Died of Injuries: 1 Total: 15
Wounded: 9 Injured: 1 Sick: 0 Invalided: 0 Total: 10
Total
Killed In Action: 21 Died of Wounds: 7 Died of Disease: 9 Died of Injuries: 2 Total: 40
Wounded: 74 Injured: 7 Sick: 7 Invalided: 15 Total: 103
Some of the wounded men of the 1st WAMI back in Western Australia

Back Row L to R: Pte J Cunningham (1st WAMI, severely wounded, Slingersfontein 7/2/00), Gnr Manly (?), Cpl W Callicot (1st WAMI, invalided 3/6/00), Cpl G Loane (1st WAMI, invalided 31/9/00).
Middle Row L to R: Pte T McFarlane (1st WAMI, severely wounded, Zand River 11/5/00), Pte A Green (2nd WAMI, severely wounded, Vet River 5/5/00), Pte G Jones (1st WAMI, invalided 31/7/00), Pte C Scott (1st WAMI, severely wounded, Vet River (9/5/00).
Front Row L to R: Pte A Zeitch (2nd WAMI, invalided 31/7/00), Pte A Baker (1st WAMI, severely wounded, Achterlang 4/3/00), Pte A Kelly (1st WAMI, invalided 31/7/00), Pte P Jones (1st WAMI, invalided 31/7/00), Pte A McLean (2nd WAMI, wounded, Vaal River 5/5/00).

Some of the wounded men of the 1st WAMI back in Western Australia

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