New South Wales Imperial Bushmen

The New South Wales Imperial Bushmen was one of a number of regiments raised in the Australian colonies in response to a request from the British government asking for “hardy bushmen” – men who could ride, shoot, and navigate in the bush. The idea was to find men who could employ the same type of guerrilla tactics as the Boer and beat them at their own game. Volunteers came from Cootamundra, Gundagai, Wagga, Young, Hay, Cooma, Moree, Cobar, Tenterfield, and Bourke. The New South Wales Imperial Bushmen was a mounted unit, consisting of six mounted rifle squadrons. Later, during its time overseas, the regiment’s name was changed to the 6th Imperial Bushmen.

The bushmen left Sydney, on board the transport Armenian, on 23 April 1900. The regiment originally numbered 40 officers with 722 other ranks, and 800 horses. They were the fourth contingent sent from New South Wales to the war. During 15 months in South Africa, the regiment served in Rhodesia and in west Transvaal.

From June to August the bushmen served with the 2nd Brigade, Rhodesian Field Force; then Lieutenant General Lord Methuen’s No. 2 Column, from September to December; the Mounted Brigade, under the command of the Colonel R.G. Kekowich, from December to January 1901; then finally the Mounted Brigade, under Major General J.M. Babington, from January to May 1901. During this time, from September 1900 to May 1901, the regiment’s D Squadron served as Methuen’s personal bodyguard.

Principal operations in which the contingent was engaged:

Relief of the Eland’s River garrison: 5 August 1900Marico River: 6 August 1900Occupation of Ottoshop: 14 August 1900Buffel’s Hoek: 18–19 August 1900Jacobsdal: 22 August 1900Malmani: 27 August 1900Wonderfontein: 10–11 September 1900Manana and Lewerpan, where a 15-pounder and a pom-pom gun were captured from the enemy: 12 September 1900Re-occupation of Lichtenberg: 28 September 1900Oliphant’s Nek: 5 October 1900Magatas Pass: 10 October 1900Riekerton: 16 October 1900Lead Mines: 24 October 1900Kaffir Kraal: 1 November 1900Re-occupation of Klerksdorp: 16 November 1900Wittepoort and Bulkop: 26–27 December 1900Syferfontein: 5 January 1901Occupation of Ventersorp: 10 January 1901Klip Drift: 17 January 1901Valkfontein: 26 January 1901Magalisburg Valley, where a 9-pounder and a pom-pom gun were captured from the enemy: 3 March 1901Relief of Lichtenberg: 7 March 1901Hartebeestfontein: 20–22 March 1901Veldfontein, where nine guns and 142 prisoners were captured: 24 March 1901Wittepoort, where two 15-pounders were captured: 14 April 1901Hartebeestfontein: 18 April 1901Geduld, where a 9-pound Krupp gun was captured: 3 May 1901Palmietfontein: 8 April 1901

The regiment returned to Australia, on board the transport Orient, on 17 July 1901.

Casualties

For more information please see the Roll of Honour and Boer War Nominal Roll databases.

Decorations

For more information please see Honours and Awards database