Commemorating Boer War Valour
Faithe JonesThis memorial commemorates the Valour and Self Sacrifice of those Australian Servicemen who were awarded the Victoria Cross during the war in South Africa (The Boer War).
Captain Neville Reginald Howes 24 July 1900
While with a mounted infantry brigade in the Orange Free State during the action of Vredefort on 24 July, Howse 'went out under a heavy crossfire and picked up a wounded man and carried him to a place of shelter
Trooper J H Bisdee 01 September 1900
On 1 September, near Warmbad, Transvaal, he was with a scouting party ambushed by Boers in a rocky defile; six of its eight men were wounded, including an officer whose horse broke away and bolted. Bisdee dismounted, put the wounded man on his own horse and ran alongside, then mounted behind him and withdrew under heavy fire.
Lieutenant Guy George Egerton Wylly 01 September 1900
On 26 April 1900 Wylly embarked from Hobart as a lieutenant with the 3rd (1st Tasmanian Imperial) Contingent. After its arrival in South Africa, the unit was absorbed into the 4th Imperial Bushmen which by August was constantly under enemy fire in small engagements. On 1 September he had command of a troop of bushmen escorting a foraging party near Warmbad, Transvaal. Scouting ahead, he and seven others rode into an ambush in a narrow gorge: six men were wounded, including Wylly. Corporal E. S. Brown was hit in the leg and unhorsed. Wylly went to his aid, gave him his horse, then opened fire from behind a rock, enabling Brown and other men to withdraw, before he made his own escape.
Lieutenant Frederick William Bell 16 May 1901
While rescuing a dismounted man during fighting at Brakpan, Transvaal, South Africa, his own horse fell under the combined weight of the two men. Giving his mount to the other rider, he provided covering fire to allow him to escape.
Sergeant James Rogers 15 June 1901
During an ambush by about 60 Boers, near Thaba 'Nchu, Orange Free State, he rescued soldiers who had lost their horses on three separate occasions, each time while under heavy fire.
Lieutenant L C Maygar 23 November 1901
At Geelhoutboom, on 23 November, Lieutenant Maygar was awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing a fellow Victorian whose horse had been shot. With the enemy only 200 yards (183 m) away Maygar dismounted, put the man on his own horse, told him to gallop for the British lines, and ran back under heavy fire.
