JOHN BISDEE
“THEY WERE PASSING THROUGH A NARROW GORGE, VERY ROCKY AND THICKLY WOODED, WHEN THE ENEMY IN FORCE SUDDENLY OPENED FIRE AT SHORT RANGE FROM HIDDEN COVER, WOUNDING SIX OUT OF THE PARTY OF EIGHT”
When the Second Boer War was declared on 11 October 1899, governments of colonies from around the British Empire offered to send troops to contribute to the British war effort. This included the governments of the six colonies of Australia (the country would not be confederated into a Commonwealth until 1 January 1901). Among the troops sent were the 1st Tasmanian Imperial Bushmen Contingent, a unit whose members would be awarded two Victoria Crosses. Most of the troops the colonies of Australia contributed were mounted units, formed before departure. This was despite a decree requesting infantry contingents as being of most service and cavalry of the least.
Australians also enlisted in British units or South African colonial units and recruitment for British units, such as the Scottish Horse, was undertaken in Australia. The Australian contribution to the war effort took place over five waves, the first coming in 1899 immediately after the outbreak of the war and
