Hello from South Australia

[POL_AIR_1]

Hi All,
My name is Matt and I live in South Australia.

Recently I have been doing some family history research on my grandfather in WW2, and my great-grandfather in the Boer War and WW1. I have always had a passion for the Police, and have a large memorabilia collection already, but now I am interested in SAC badges/memorabilia or anything similar that would be similar to that worn/used by my great-grandfather, & also my grandfather (in WW2).

Here is a quick overview (reduced heavily) if anyone is interested:
My great grandfather was a property manager in rural South Australia. The 1899 drought saw end to this, so my great-grandfather, his brother and a guy that worked for them (known as Harry "Breaker" Morant) joined the Boer War.
My great-grandfather was a Company Sergeant-Major for the 3rd Victorian (Bushmen's) Contingent. In December 1900 he joined the South African Constabulary. He served throughout the Boer War without a break of service.
My great-grandfather was present at the court martial of "Breaker" Morant, and also at his execution. He later said this is what turned him off the Boer War.
My great-grandfather stayed on with the SAC after the war and returned to Australia in 1909 with a QSA (4 bars) and a KSA (2 bars). He was mentioned in Lord Kitchener's despatches twice, and was awarded the British Gallantry medal, struck at the request of Lieut-Gen Baden-Powell.
In 1914 he joined D Company, 3 Battalion Australian Naval & Military Expeditionary Force as a 2nd Lieutenant. In 1915 he was promoted to Lieutenant and then later the same year to Captain.
June 1917 he was discharged to the Reserve of Officers, 4th Military District. He only received a British War Medal for WW1.

My grandfather, following in the footsteps of his father was a grazier in South Australia. He joined the 2/33 Australian Infantry Battalion (7th Division) AIF in 1940. He eventually served in every campaign the Battalion fought in (one of only four Bn officers to do so). Australian soldiers were expected to serve only one tour in combat for a maximum of nine months. My grandfather served 5 tours, spending nearly three and a half years in direct combat service.
In 1942 towards the end of the Syrian campaign, my grandfather was one of the first two Australian soldiers to receive a battlefield commission.
(a lot of stuff edited from the middle here....).
In 1945 in Balikpapan in Borneo, my grandfather now a Captain went in under direct enemy fire to rescue a mortally wounded patrol leader after they had been caught in a Japanese ambush. My grandfather did not receive any medals for this. My grandfather received the 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal 1939-45, War Medal 1939-45, and the Australian Service Medal 1939-45.

I hope even at least a couple of you were interested to read it until the end.
Cheers,
Matt

[rhodesianmilitaria]

Welcome to the forum Matt. That's one hell of a military history that your family has. My great grandfather was a Lieutenant in the 18 ALH (West Australian Mounted Infantry) but they never went to SA. Like most families in Australia I had relatives serve in WWI and WWII and my father served in the Nasho's in the RAAF after WWII.

[johnG]

A very warm welcome Matt. That is a terrific family history you have posted, for which, many thanks.

Regards
John

[coldstream]

Hi Matt,
A warm welcome to the forum, a great read and a proud family history.

Cheers
Paul

[Phil2M]

Hi Matt,

I wish i could tell such a wonderful family forces history.

My Grandfathers were in RUR TA and REME (National Service). My Great Grandfathers were in the RFC and AVC both serving in WW1. My stepfather was RNR, RNXS and Merchant Marine. My Dad did a spell in the ACF. Oh and a great uncle who I never met was in the RAF Rescue.

I am a failed Royal Fleet Auxiliary officer candidate, but, I would still love to serve, medical complaints mean I cant join up to regular RN, RAF or Army.

Regards,

Phil

[POL_AIR_1]

Originally Posted by rhodesianmilitaria

Welcome to the forum Matt.....

Thanks Peter. Great history there yourself. I could sit and talk for hours with people about this stuff. There is always so much pride and passion involved.

Originally Posted by johnG

A very warm welcome Matt.......

Thanks John. It's great to find people with similar interests.

Originally Posted by coldstream

Hi Matt,
A warm welcome to the forum.......

Thanks Paul. It's a pleasure to be here.

Originally Posted by phil2m

I wish i could tell such a wonderful family forces history.

Hi Phil. It seems like you have a wonderful family forces history there. A large number of relatives that have all played their part...well done!!

Originally Posted by phil2m

I am a failed Royal Fleet Auxiliary officer candidate, but, I would still love to serve, medical complaints mean I cant join up to regular RN, RAF or Army.

Phil, there is no such thing as failing. Just events from which we can learn and grow from, or aid us in changing the direction &/or focus in our lives. Im sorry that you cant join regular, but thankfully we still get to share and enjoy in your passion on this site.


Thank you to everyone for the warm welcomes. I look forward to hopefully having an active membership throughout the forum.

[JESTERFARI]

Hi Matt - stunning info, and very interesting. I'm new here yesterday, and reading your bit inspired me to add a bit of mine.
I'm always pleased to hear of folk who actually know something about their family, as so many don't - or aren't interested enough to tell people.
Something to be proud of - Thanks for posting it - and my first chance to add a welcome !.
Jes

[Phil2M]

Thanks very much for your kind words, its nice to have yet another thoroughly decent chap on the forum. You will soon find that you can help others as much as they can help you.

My badge collection has grown significantly in the few weeks I have been a member.

Regards

Phil

[POL_AIR_1]

Originally Posted by JESTERFARI

Hi Matt - stunning info, and very interesting. I'm new here yesterday, and reading your bit inspired me to add a bit of mine.
I'm always pleased to hear of folk who actually know something about their family, as so many don't - or aren't interested enough to tell people.
Something to be proud of - Thanks for posting it - and my first chance to add a welcome !.
Jes

Thanks Jes. I wasnt too sure if people would want to read my family history. I only started digging into the family history back on ANZAC day this year, then let it slide, and now have been full on for the past few weeks. I just find that sleep and work seem to interfere with my reasearching!!

Originally Posted by phil2m

Thanks very much for your kind words, its nice to have yet another thoroughly decent chap on the forum. You will soon find that you can help others as much as they can help you.

My badge collection has grown significantly in the few weeks I have been a member.

Regards

Phil

Phil, thanks for the kind words. I am a complete newbie to this whole military thing but I have approx 12 years experience in the Print & Copy industry and do some graphic design/photoshop work in my spare time. If anyone needs any help or advice with this, or I can assist people needing things from South Australia, then I am only too happy to help.

Cheers,
Matt

[mule-73k]

Great, great family history there, and thank you for sharing it. Most interesting, indeed.

Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy same.

Dave

[slick_mick]

Welcome! It's always good to have more Aussies on here.

Mick

[POL_AIR_1]

Originally Posted by mule-73k

Great, great family history there, and thank you for sharing it. Most interesting, indeed.

Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy same.

Dave

Thank you Dave. It's a very interesting forum from what I have been reading.

Originally Posted by slick_mick

Welcome! It's always good to have more Aussies on here.

Mick

Thanks Mick. Slowly, one-by-one we will take over the site!! haha.
I think it may have actually been you that replied to a query of mine the other day about whether or not my great-grandfather was in "That Ragged Mob". If it was, then thank you again. I ended up purchasing the book once I got your response. If it wasnt, then pretend it was, and accept the praise anyway.

Cheers,
Matt

[iaindh]

Hi Matt & welcome to the forum.

A very interesting family military history you posted, you must be proud. Maybe one day I'll post my Father's exploits during WWII and after.

There is a small area for South African connections further down if you go past Canada & Oz.

Enjoy the forum & regards,

Iain

[Terry Rayner]

Welcome Matt, this is a great forum I dont post much, but I read all the posts every day.
A great family history, my father was in the Essex Regt, he fought at Monte Cassino. I was told that he killed over a hundred men[he was the company cook]
Regards Terry

[slick_mick]

Originally Posted by POL_AIR_1

Thank you Dave. It's a very interesting forum from what I have been reading.
Thanks Mick. Slowly, one-by-one we will take over the site!! haha.
I think it may have actually been you that replied to a query of mine the other day about whether or not my great-grandfather was in "That Ragged Mob". If it was, then thank you again. I ended up purchasing the book once I got your response. If it wasnt, then pretend it was, and accept the praise anyway.

Cheers,
Matt

Yes Mate - that was me!

Hope you enjoy the book - its very well done.

Mick