Victorian Mounted Rifles
Encyclopedia
The Victorian Mounted Rifles (VMR) was a regiment
composed of Australian forces
that served in the Second Boer War
. It was first raised by Colonel Tom Price in the mid-1880s, composed of voluntary forces. It was composed of several contingents, the most notable being the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles.
between 24 March and 4 April 1901. It saw considerable action during the Second Boer War when it was used to combat the guerilla warfare tactics of the Boers. Leslie Cecil Maygar
was awarded the Victoria Cross
for gallant acts during the Second Boer War whilst enlisted in 5 VMR.
The Regiment came into controversy after an attack on their camp at Wilmansrust. The 5th saw heavy casualties with the Regimental surgeon, and 18 NCO
s and men killed; five officers and 36 NCOs and men were wounded. The Officer in Charge of the column, Major-General Sir Stuart Brownlow Beatson, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., K.C.V.O. (1854–1914), was not satisfied with the actions of the Victorian Mounted Rifles and was quoted as saying: "I tell you what I think. The Australians are a damned fat, round shouldered, useless crowd of wasters . . . In my opinion they are a lot of white-livered curs . . . You can add dogs too." He charged three men—Troopers James Steele (1142), Arthur Richards (1272) and Herbert Henry Parry (1335).—of the VMR for cowardice and after a summary Court Martial, he sentenced them to death. This sentence was commuted by General Kitchener
who was in charge of all allied forces. The reduced sentences were debated in both the Australian and British Parliaments and were eventually commuted.
When the 5th VMR departed from South Africa, Lord Kitchener sent the CO this telegram:
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
composed of Australian forces
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
that served in the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
. It was first raised by Colonel Tom Price in the mid-1880s, composed of voluntary forces. It was composed of several contingents, the most notable being the 5th Victorian Mounted Rifles.
Composition
5th Victorian Mounted Rifles
The 5th contingent enrolled for the Second Boer War in February 1901, leaving for South Africa in mid-February. The regiment was mobilised at PretoriaPretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
between 24 March and 4 April 1901. It saw considerable action during the Second Boer War when it was used to combat the guerilla warfare tactics of the Boers. Leslie Cecil Maygar
Leslie Cecil Maygar
Leslie Cecil Maygar VC, DSO, VD was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, for service in the Second Boer War.-Early life:According to his birth certificate, from Victorian...
was awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
for gallant acts during the Second Boer War whilst enlisted in 5 VMR.
The Regiment came into controversy after an attack on their camp at Wilmansrust. The 5th saw heavy casualties with the Regimental surgeon, and 18 NCO
Non-commissioned officer
A non-commissioned officer , called a sub-officer in some countries, is a military officer who has not been given a commission...
s and men killed; five officers and 36 NCOs and men were wounded. The Officer in Charge of the column, Major-General Sir Stuart Brownlow Beatson, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., K.C.V.O. (1854–1914), was not satisfied with the actions of the Victorian Mounted Rifles and was quoted as saying: "I tell you what I think. The Australians are a damned fat, round shouldered, useless crowd of wasters . . . In my opinion they are a lot of white-livered curs . . . You can add dogs too." He charged three men—Troopers James Steele (1142), Arthur Richards (1272) and Herbert Henry Parry (1335).—of the VMR for cowardice and after a summary Court Martial, he sentenced them to death. This sentence was commuted by General Kitchener
Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener
Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, ADC, PC , was an Irish-born British Field Marshal and proconsul who won fame for his imperial campaigns and later played a central role in the early part of the First World War, although he died halfway...
who was in charge of all allied forces. The reduced sentences were debated in both the Australian and British Parliaments and were eventually commuted.
When the 5th VMR departed from South Africa, Lord Kitchener sent the CO this telegram:
"11 March 1902,
Cape Town,
Please Convey to your Australians my warm appreciation of their gallant and arduous service in this country. In the name of the Army in South Africa, I wish them good luck and God speed."