Australian Unofficial Badges - Boer War

[slick_mick]

I'm not sure what HAS and DAS are - it's not my collection.

I'll see if I can find out from the collection's owner.

Mick

[badgecollector]

Originally Posted by slick_mick

I'm not sure what HAS and DAS are - it's not my collection.

I'll see if I can find out from the collection's owner.

Mick

Hi all
Just found this old thread and can’t help but be impressed by some of the badges the allied forces had made during the Boer war. I suppose it’s still happening today but in the cloth version, made and worn in country but unofficially.
Btw, DAS is Doyle’s Australian Scouts. I believe the Doyle’s medals are held in a collection in Melbourne.
Anyway, can anyone post a pic of the reverse of these badges? Were they luged? Or as in the South African and Canadian badges, had crude circular wire attachments
BC

[rhodesianmilitaria]

WAMI was West Australian Mounted Infantry.

[kingsley]

Hi, DAS is "Doyle's Australian Scouts", can't remember HAS but something similar. There is a heavier metal TMI title often listed on Ebay (and undoubtedly repro) that is "Thorneycroft's Mounted Inf".
These sheet metal badges were in fact copied in the 1970s by Major Rex Clark, who met a tragic end about 1978 because he let his collecting interests get out of control. He borrowed Bob Gray's genuine badges and had them copied, possibly in SE Asia somewhere. You can't be sure if any of these badges are genuine unless they show obvious signs of use or aging. The die-struck ones are more likely to be OK.

[kingsley]

Hi, just found another variation in my picture file. Amazing how many variations there are. This one was on a large and obviously old badge board sold on Ebay a year or so ago (unable to do a scan of the back).
It really is not a good idea to post pictures of the backs of these, because, as someone wrote above, they are too easily copied. There was a guy in Australia in recent years, just like Rex Clark faking medals and badges for money. Unless he has changed his ways, he might be tempted to fake these.

[kingsley]

For some reason my scan did not upload the first time

[Lancer 17]

Mick

Well done again.

Phil.

[Coast Watcher]

Camerons Victorian Scouts.

[badgecollector]

very nice
is it yours? where did you find it
bc

[Coast Watcher]

In my possession, purchased with a number of other similar badges.
I was interested to see what the forum thought as the unit was fairly small and not together long.
Photos of the lugs included for assessment.

[badgecollector]

looks good to me.
I would have thought it would have had different lugs. the round wire type like the pic attached. but I would still keep it in my collection
bc

[Coast Watcher]

Thanks BC. I was fairly confident it was good due to where it came from. The lugs are unusual tho as you mention and is why I included a photo of them.

[lettman]

Hi Mick,
A lovely group of titles, but I wonder whether the 1/AH title can be classed as 'unofficial'? Wasn't the 1st Australian Horse a 'home' unit, rather than one raised specifically for the Boer War?

[slick_mick]

From the AWM:

The 1st Australian Horse was a volunteer militia unit raised in 1895 by Colonel J.H.K. Mackay. Mackay recruited men from all over country New South Wales. Detachments were formed at Murrumburrah, Gunnedah, Gundagai, Quirinidi, Mudgee, Scone, Michelago, Boggabri, Cootamundra, Braidwood, Lue, Wallendbeen, and Bungendore. The men were regarded as excellent horsemen and the regiment wore a distinctive uniform of dark green with black embroidery, in a hussar pattern. When the Boer War broke out, the 1st Australian Horse sent two contingents to South Africa, where they served as a cavalry squadron.

The first group left Newcastle on 14 November 1899, on board the transport Langton Grange, and consisted of two officers and 32 other ranks, with 36 horses. They arrived at Cape Town, South Africa, on 13 December. The second contingent was larger than the first, numbering five officers and 102 other ranks, with 121 horses. The second contingent, called the service squadron, left Sydney on 17 January 1900. Travelling on board the transport Surry, they reached Cape Town on 23 February.

The first contingent was attached to the Royal Scots Greys, serving as part of General French’s cavalry division. They participated at the battle of Slingersfontein on 16 January 1900, where they suffered heavy casualties. Captain W.V. Dowling was severely wounded and captured, while Sergeant-Major George Allman Griffin was killed. Griffin was the first Australian killed in the war. Another man, Corporal Hedley John Kirkpatrick, was badly wounded and later died.

The squadron were present at various actions in the Cape Colony during February, and in early march they were joined by the second contingent.

At the start of March the squadron moved to Modder River, before moving on to Ossfontein, where they joined the Royal Scots Greys on 6 March. The next day they took part in the battle of Poplar Grove, then moved on to Dreifontein and the occupation on Bloemfontein on 13 March. The squadron was present at the actions at Karee Siding, Sannas Post, and Evan’s Farm.

In May the squadron participated in the advance to Pretoria, taking part in the battle of Zand River on 10 March, when the squadron formed part of an attacking force on strongly occupied kopjes; the attackers were repelled. Two of the squadron’s men were killed and three were taken prisoner. Despite the setback, the advance to Pretoria continued and the squadron was involved in a number of actions along the way, including at the surrender of Pretoria on 5 June and the battle of Diamond Hill two days later. More minor actions occurred throughout the rest of the month.

During the battle of Belfast, on 27 August, the “splendid scouting” of the Australian Horse allowed General French to turn the Boer right flank, forcing the Boers to retreat. More skirmishes occurred during September and October as French’s column swept towards Heidelberg.

Towards the end of October the squadron returned to Pretoria for a rest and remained there until December. The Australian Horse then went to Machadodorp, where it joined Queensland and South Australian troops in patrolling the railway line. In February 1901 the squadron returned to Belfast, where it received remounts. On 14 February the squadron took part in a sharp action near Belfast, after which General Kitchener praised the Australian Horse for its “gallant” conduct.

At the end of March the squadron left Cape Town for Australia, on board the transport Tongariro, arriving at Sydney on 2 May.

[lettman]

Thanks for the detailed info, Mick. I've had a pair of 1/AH titles for a donkey's age but haven't really delved into how and when they were worn.