First Contingent

1ST WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MOUNTED INFANTRY

  • Original strength: 130
  • Subunits: one infantry company including machine-gun section/one mounted rifle squadron only
  • Commanding officer: Major H. G. Moor then Captain F. M. W. Parker
  • Left for South Africa: 7 November 1899 on Medic
  • Service: November 1899 - October 1900 in northern Cape Colony including defence of Australian Hill (9 February 1900), Free State, and Transvaal including battle of Diamond Hill (11-12 June 1900) and reverse at Palmietfontein (19 July 1900); part of Australian Regiment November 1899-April 1900, converted to mounted rifles December 1899, joined to 1st NSW Mounted Rifles April-October 1900
  • Fatal casualties: five killed or died of wounds including Moor, one died of disease
  • Decorations: two DSOs (H. F. Darling, Parker), five DCMs (J. Barry, J. E. Burley, R. Corkhill, P. M. Edwards, H. Force)
  • Returned: 29 December 1900 on Orient
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