KIRKLAND, Wilfred John
| Service Number: | 35 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | A Squadron, New South Wales Mounted Infantry |
| Born: | Bega, New South Wales, Australia, 16 May 1878 |
| Home Town: | Bega, Bega Valley, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Coach Painter |
| Died: | Enteric Fever, Bloemfontein, Orange Free State, South Africa, 20 April 1900, aged 21 years |
| Cemetery: |
President Brand Cemetery, Bloemfontein, South Africa |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Bega Boer War Memorial |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 35 | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 35, A Squadron, New South Wales Mounted Infantry | |
| 3 Nov 1899: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 35, A Squadron, New South Wales Mounted Infantry, Embarked from Sydney on SS Aberdeen. | |
| 7 Dec 1899: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 35, A Squadron, New South Wales Mounted Infantry, The Boer Offensive | |
| 20 Apr 1900: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 35, A Squadron, New South Wales Mounted Infantry, D.O.D. |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Maurice Kissane
Wilfred John Kirkland was born and raised in Bega in New South Wales. He was born in 1878, the tenth child born to James and Elizabeth Kirkland (nee Jaggers).
Will as he was known, maintained and painted Coaches. He preferred not to be a coach driver, but likely wanted to be a full time mounted Trooper.
For he served part time in the Bega Mounted Rifles.
Hence, when Boer Commandos invaded South African colonies, Trooper Wilfred Kirkland was mobilized for active service within the NSW Mounted Rifles.
Three weeks after the war began, he was bound for South Africa to fight the elusive Boer Commandos.
This initial stage of the war was known as the Boer Offensive.
The Empire's response was quite rapid compared to earlier conflicts that occurred during the reign of Queen and Empress Victoria.
Undersea cabels meant that the Empire was connected via Telegrapth. Hence Colonial Governments could mobilize and deploy requested mounted units rapidly.
The first drafts deployed, including Wilfred's were trained soldiers with requisite pre war militia service.
PTE Wilfred Kirkland [35] A Sqn NSW Mounted Rifles campaigned on the veldt for 135 days days before he fell victim to enteric fever. He had managed to dodge Boer bullets and bombs during their Offensive but fell victim to ever present enteric. This was a time before antibiotics and modern medicine.
Wilfred was 21 years old when he died on active service. Lest We Forget.
Reference links provided.
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