1st Australian Horse
Active1897–1902
Country New South Wales (1897–1901)  Australia (1901–1902)
AllegianceBritish Empire
BranchArmy
TypeMounted infantry
SizeMen: 141 Horses:157
EngagementsSecond Boer War
Battle honoursSouth Africa: 1899-1900

The 1st Australian Horse was a mounted infantry regiment of the Colony of New South Wales that was formed in 1897. The 1st Australian Horse wore distinctive myrtle green uniforms with black embroidery.

History

Formation

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]

Second Boer War

When the Second Boer War began in late 1899, New South Wales raised multiple contingents which included detachments from the regiment. The first contingent left Newcastle on 14 November 1899 for Cape Town, South Africa, arriving on 13 December. Two detachments of the regiment served under General John French's Cavalry Division during the Second Boer War in 1899, composed of 141 men and 157 horses. 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][3] 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, and later withdrew from South Africa by late March of the same year.[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 4 March 2018.
  3. ↑ "Australia and the Boer War, 1899–1902". Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 24 March 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
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