The Western Australian Mounted Infantry in the 2^nd Boer War

Phase 1: 1899-1900

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 1^st WAMI was created and arrived in South Africa the following month, the 2^nd 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 1^st WAMI has a Maxim gun section.

Phase 2: 1900-1901

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 1^st & 2^nd WAMI (Primarily men in their thirties). Most of them had no previous military service and rather than having the elegant uniforms of the 1^st & 2^nd WAMI they wore tacky bush gear. They departed for the front between Apr-Jun 1900. The 3^rd & 4^th 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

The third and largest phase of the Western Australian military contribution to the 2^nd Boer War was the deployment of the 5^th & 6^th WAMI. Each of these contingents was 2 squadrons strong. They were made up of a mixture of former veterans from the 1^st 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 5^th & 6^th 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

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