1st Australian Horse

1st Australian Horse
Active 1897–1902
Country  New South Wales
Allegiance British Empire
Type Mounted Infantry
Size

Men: 141

Horses:157
Engagements Second Boer War
Battle honours South Africa: 1899-1900

The 1st Australian Horse was a mounted infantry regiment of the Colony of New South Wales.

History

The regiment was raised on 28 August 1897 at Murrumburrah, New South Wales, as the 1st Australian (Volunteer) Horse.[1] The unit recruited mainly from New South Wales, and had detachments in Murrumburrah, Gunnedah, Gundagai, Quirinidi, Mudgee, and various other NSW towns.[2]

The 1st Australian Horse wore distinctive myrtle green uniforms with black embroidery.

Two detachments of the regiment served under General French's Cavalry Division during the Second Boer War in 1899, composed of 141 men and 157 horses.

The first contingent left Newcastle on 14 November 1899 for Cape Town, South Africa, arriving on 13 December. The first detachment fought in the Battle of Slingersfontein on 16 January 1900 resulting in heavy casualties, and the first Australian casualty of the war.[2] The unit then participated in the Battle of Poplar Grove and took part in occupying the towns of Driefontein and Bloemfontein.

The regiment also took part in both the advance to Pretoria and the Battle of Zand River, as well as the subsequent Surrender of Pretoria on 1 June. They also saw action in the Battle of Belfast in 1901.

The unit withdrew from South Africa by late March 1901.[2]

Commanding officer

References

  1. ↑ "Our Volunteers". The Australian Star (Sydney), Friday 1 October 1897, p.5. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 "1st Australian Horse". www.awm.gov.au. Retrieved 2018-03-04.
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