South Australia and the South African or Boer War

Ten contingents departed from the Colony and State with the last being Commonwealth forces raised in South Australia. The military supplied six contingents, a total of 1430 men—all volunteers. The 1st and 2nd Contingents were financed by the SA Government and the men received an appropriate remuneration. The 3rd (Bushmen’s) was privately (and relatively poorly) financed and the remaining Contingents were financed by Britain. The 1st Contingent departed Adelaide on the Medic 2 November 1899 with six officers and 121 men as infantry but became a mounted force in South Africa. The 2nd Contingent of six officers, 112 men, 120 horses and a machine gun departed 26 January 1900. The Bushmen’s Contingent of six officers and ninety-three men served from June 1900 to April 1901. The Imperial Bushmen’s Contingent comprised twelve officers and 222 men. The balance of men served in the 5th and 6th Contingents which formed into a regiment in South Africa. To see a full list of men and nurses with their details just select a contingent number.