Queen's South Africa Medal: Trumpeter Alfred Henry Jobson, 6th Imperial Bushmen

Queen's South Africa Medal with bars 'RHODESIA', 'TRANSVAAL' (x two) ,'CAPE COLONY' and 'ORANGE FREE STATE'. Impressed around edge with recipient's details.

Alfred Henry Jobson, a resident of Watson’s Bay in Sydney, enlisted under service number 1355 with the New South Wales Imperial Bushmen. He had previously served with the NSW Permanent Artillery (see AWM Image P02078.001) as a trumpeter. The 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 companies; Jobson was assigned to E Company. 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. It 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 and captured at least 14 pieces of enemy artillery besides a number of Boer convoys and prisoners. The unit returned to Australia, on board the transport Orient, on 17 July 1901.

Later that year, Jobson later enlisted under service number 50 with 5th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse comprising 487 mounted troops from NSW as well as over 1400 soldiers from other states making up the 6, 7 and 8 battalions ACH. Their convoy, making up the Third Contingent, was still at sea when the news was received that the war had ended on 31 May 1902.