Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James Charles Power served in two units in the South African (Boer) war. He originally enlisted and served as a Private S.N. 79 in the 4th Queensland Imperial Bushmen. It appears he did not return to Australia with the 4th Queensland Imperial Bushmen but remained in South Africa to join a second unit as a Private S.N. 525 in a Draft of the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen that arrived in Port Elizabeth on 20 Apr 1901. He was involved in a action with the 5th at Onverwacht on 4 Jan 1902 during which he was killed in action attempting to protect the unit's pom-pom gun from enemy capture after the wheel horses were shot. He was recognised for gallantry by mention in despatches and promoted by Army Order to Sergeant. 

(sources- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 481, 490, 504 and 541; London Gazette 25 Apr 1902).

Son of Jeremiah and Honour (nee BYRNES) POWER 

Loved brother of William, Mary, Margaret, John, Patrick, Johanna, Michael, Jeremiah and Annie.

A GALLANT COLONIAL.
IT will be seen from our cable messages to-day that, among the Queenslanders mentioned in despatches for conspicuous services in South Africa at the end of 1901 and early in  the present year,. was the late Sergeant J. Power. We learn from Major W. T. Deacon, C.B., that this cable refers to Private James Charles Power, who originally went over to South Africa as a member of the fourth contingent. His official address is given as Auckland, New Zealand, but Major Deacon thinks that he had been for some time in Western  Queensland before enlisting in the " Fighting Fourth." Private Power gained his sergeant's stripes in the fourth contingent, and, remaining behind, joined the fifth as a sergeant.  Major Deacon speaks of him as a fine smart young fellow. He was killed, along with 10 other Queenslanders, at the engagement at Onverwacht early in January last.