HENSMAN, Geoffrey Gordon William
| Service Numbers: | Not yet discovered |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 November 1899, Ex-Royal Horse Guards (1895-1897). |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 1st Western Australian Mounted Infantry |
| Born: | Bermuda, West Indies, 1876 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Miner |
| Died: | Died of wounds, No. 3 General Hospital Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa, 12 March 1900 |
| Cemetery: |
Cape Town (Maitland) Cemetery |
| Memorials: | WA Kings Park Boer War Memorial |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Lieutenant | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Nov 1899: | Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Sergeant, 1st Western Australian Mounted Infantry, Ex-Royal Horse Guards (1895-1897). | |
| 7 Nov 1899: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Sergeant, 1st Western Australian Mounted Infantry, Embarked from Albany in W.A. on the "Medic" Troopship. | |
| 27 Nov 1899: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Sergeant, 1st Western Australian Mounted Infantry, The Boer Offensive | |
| 1 Jan 1900: | Promoted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Lieutenant, 1st Western Australian Mounted Infantry | |
| 2 Feb 1900: | Wounded Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents | |
| 9 Feb 1900: | Wounded Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Lieutenant, 1st Western Australian Mounted Infantry, W.I.A. at Slingersfontein. | |
| 25 Feb 1900: | Honoured Mention in Dispatches, The Boer Offensive, Specially mentioned in Commanding Officer's Dispatch. | |
| 12 Mar 1900: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Lieutenant, 1st Western Australian Mounted Infantry, D.O.W. in Cape Town. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Maurice Kissane
Geoffrey Hensman was a miner in Western Australia prior to the Boer War. He was the son of a Surgeon. Geoffrey hailed from Taunton in England. However, he was born in British Bermuda in the West Indies.
Geoffrey had served in the Royal Horse Guards from October 1895 until March 1897. He purchased his discharge to try his luck on the Goldfields of Western Australia. He apparently saw his prospects as being more exciting than mereley guarding HM Queen and Empress Victoria.
However, when the Boers attacked the Empire, he rallied to the colours. Geoffrey was enlisted as a 1st W.A.M.I. Sergeant. That was because of his mounted experience in the Household Cavalry. He was soon commissioned in the field as a Lieutenant. The date was New Years Day 1900.
Geoffrey made a stand with his soldiers on a Kopje referred to as W.A. Hill, on 9 Feb 1900. He was badly wounded. His right leg was ampuated. Geoffrey was M.I.D. on 25 Feb 1900 but he died on 12 March 1900.
His U.K. Probate Record states that his effects which amounted to 142 pounds 13 shillings and 4 pence were willed to Surgeon William Hensman. Lest We Forget.
Reference:
Probate record attached and Battle of West Australia Hill cited.
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