Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

It appears Michael Egan served twice in the South African (Boer) War and again in WW1:

- Private S.N. 89, 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry, Boer War;

- Private S.N. 233, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Boer War; and

- Private S.N. 90, 52nd Infantry Battalion/14th Light Horse Regiment AIF, WW1.

When he enlisted in 1899 in the 1st QMI and they embarked on the Cornwall the list of rank and file aboard was published in The Brisbane Courier, 18 Nov 1899, where he was noted as Private M. Egan, Single, Riverview, Ipswich. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 1st QMI (B Coy) his entry is listed as M. Egan, Riverview, and it is noted part of his pay was directed to a P. Egan. His given name appears for the first time on his Boer War Dossier papers held by the National Archives when he was invalided home under the name MICKEL Egan. 

The given name Mikel and interchange with Michael becomes relevant when determining other enlistments. When he was invalided from the 1st QMI and returned he was afforded a number of "welcome home" functions in his home town of Ipswich. At a reception held at Dinmore it was reported (Qld Times, 1 Sep 1900) that in responding to those present he said, "I thank you for the kind reception you have given me. When we left here for Africa we went to do our part for our Queen and country, and to uphold the honour of Queensland. We did so to the best of our ability and if there are volunteers wanted again I won't be the last to offer myself."

In the Boer War Nominal roll, collated by Murray, he notes two persons with the surname Egan to serve in Qld contingents, Michael in the 1st QMI and Mikel in the 5th Qld Imperial Bushmen. As noted above the person in the 1st QMI is recorded as Mikel on his Boer War Dossier.

When Mickel Egan enlisted in 1901 in the 5th QIB and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 16 Mar 1901, he noted his N.O.K. as his mother Mrs. J. Egan, Riverview, Ipswich. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB, Bk 2 p. 80, it notes he directed part of his pay to his brother Mr. John Egan, Riverview, Ipswich.

When Michael Egan enlisted in 1915 for WW1 he noted on his Attestation Paper, dated 19 July 1915, that he; was 44 years 11 months old and born at Kerry, Ireland; was single and a labourer; had N.O.K. of his mother Mrs Bridget Egan, Riverview, Ipswich; and he had previously served in the QIB in South Africa.

Bridget Egan passed in 1933 at the age of 94 and in her funeral notice (Qld Times 1 Sep 1933) it notes she was of Riverview (relict of the late John Egan). A search of BDM Qld online records indicates her death record notes her maiden name as McGrath. Further search of BDM Qld records indicate among the other children of John and Bridget were sons, Michael, John, and Patrick, it appears the latter two are the references to pay redirections in the Boer War Service Paybooks. 

Michael was W.I.A (gassed) in 1917, invalided, and returned to Australia with his WW1 service record indicating he was granted a pension in 1918 while residing at Riverview. It appears he may have passed in Sep 1947 in Queensland.

(sources- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 454 and 498; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier for 1st service; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 1st QMI and 5th QIB; National Archives Australia- WW1 service records; BDM Qld online records).