Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

TOM FIRNS Timeline
4th Jan 1863 Thomas Firns born in Amphitheatre, Father Thomas Firns , mother Margaret
nee Wallace. Lived with the family, helped build "The Shaws" ca 1884
in Firns Lane, Amphitheatre, Vic.

1885 Date V.M. R. first started in country Vic

20th Jun 1891 Tom Firns marched at Williamstown representing the local detachment
of Victorian Mounted Rifles (Avoca Mail) This is "J" Company.
Men had to supply own horse, saddle and obtain a uniform

20th Sept 1892 Private Firns marched at Williamstown with Vic Mounted Rifles

24th Apr 1894 V.M.R. had a dinner at Avoca Hall, Victoria

12th Nov 1895 V.M.R. rifle shootout, Gus Ebeling represented Avoca vs Ballarat
Names of V.M.R. personnel rarely mentioned.

1894-1st Feb1895 Thomas, Thomas snr & Robert Firns built the grandstand at Ditcheley
Park racecouse in Beech forest on top of huge tree stump

1895-1897 Thomas Firns arrived in W.A. Passenger record not found, however a
25th Jul 1896 T. Fern arrived in Fremantle ex Melbourne via Adelaide, leaving Melbourne T. Fern etc on Wollowra listed in PROV
25th Jul 1896 on SS Wollowra. Dob is given as 1867, pretty well spot on. records only
Arrived 6th Aug 1896. Newspaper in Perth does not list names of people.

late 1896 ca to 1899 Thomas in Jarrahdale working in no 5 & 6 mills as a sawyer. His brother
Charles Firns was a foreman.

THOMAS FIRNS Boer War 2nd Mounted Infantry Reference
21 Dec 1899 Enlisted in Perth, number 24 for 1 year 99 days As recorded on his discharge papers

2nd Feb 1900 Troopship SS Surrey arrived Fremantle with men from SA and NSW
Street celebrations, meal at Karrakatta and march through streets

3rd Feb 1900 1pm SS Surrey departs Fremantle "The Inquirer & Commercial News" 9 Feb 1900
97 soldiers loaded, 129 horses in three decks (main deck), 2nd "The Advertiser" (Adelaide) 30 Mar 1900
and "Hades", high humidity in lower deck. Mules separate. "The Western Mail" 31 Mar 1900
Hospital, officers qtrs, canteen and large low roof big room where
hammocks are strung each day, or straw matresses on the floor.
Rugs folded as needed. Banjo playing and revellery.
11 stowaways found after departure, one hidden under coal.
One case of typhoid.

21st Feb 1900 South Africa coast sighted

25th Feb 1900 SS Surrey docked at Cape Town wharf

26th Feb 1900 Troops transferred to Maitland Camp in Cape Town

3rd Mar 1900 Troops receive order to move out

6th Mar 1900 2nd WAMI was under Capt. H.L. Pilkington at this time

9th Mar 1900 2nd WAMI arrive Slingersfontein

27th Mar 1900 2nd WAMI left Van Wyks Vlei towards Kenhardt
After 6 miles reached Hartebeeste River, impossibly flooded
Unable to cross with canons and wagons, so camped there
with Royal Canadian Artillary men. Driving rain.

30th Mar 1900 Ordered to return to Van Wks Vlei, 9 miles. Waited 6 days
Van Wyks had a hotel, a store a P.O. and deserted mud huts
5 inches of rain fell in three days. Tents, blankets awash.

1st Apr 1900 Tom Firns rescues Canadian, Robert Bradley from the dam
Bradley was resucitated by Capt Stewart (2 WAMI) and a Canadian
He died overnight, buried with military honours
Lieut Col Drury was to recommend him for Royal Humane medal
(apparently not awarded)

4th Apr 1900 A New Zealander died of dysentry, buried next to Bradley

6th Apr 1900 Moved out again for De Aar

13-14th Apr 1900 2nd WAMI arrive at De Aar via Carnarvon, Vosburg and Bristown.
Approx 200 miles in 10 days covered, 1 day in Carnarvon en route.
Still raining. Desolate land, no trees, no wood for fires so used
whatever old animal dung could be found and a few small thorny twigs.

20th Apr 1900 In De Aar 4 days, loaded everything on a train (18th) but got off at
Springfontein due to rail blockage and rode 80km to Bloemfontein
Then rode 80 miles to Bloemfontein through Arundel, Rensburg , Colesburg

3rd May 1900 One day here, with battles being fought, Brandfort Letter from Lieut. Castilla

4th May 1900 Engaged Boers at Vet River

5th May 1900 Tom Firns shot in shoulder at Vet River, A.H. Greene wound in arm "South Australian Register", 27 Jun 1900
and back, S.C. McFarlaine, ankle wound, A.E. Spiers, shattered thigh describes Life in a Hospital
bone.

7th May 1900 2nd WAMI were at Smadeel, Priv. E. Cunningham wrote a letter

9th-10th May 1900 2nd WAMI pushing on to Vaal River. Tom Firns stated in letter that he
was hit under the collar bone with the bullet passing between 5th and
ribs and lodging near his spine. Lord Roberts' lady visited him.
He was in the Irish Hospital in Bloemfontein. Letter was to A.E. Spiers

11th May 1900 An article dated 2nd Jun 1900 states he was sent to Convalescent <seems to be incredibly fast recovery>
camp on 11th May in Pretoria.

28th-30th May 1900 Engaged in combat outside Johannesburg West Australian 2nd Mounted Inf. History

4th Jun 1900 Engaged in combat at Six-Mile Spruit West Australian 2nd Mounted Inf. History

8th Jun 1900 Engaged in combat at Silverton West Australian 2nd Mounted Inf. History

11th -12th Jun 1900 Engaged in combat Diamond Hill (aka Donkerhoek) West Australian 2nd Mounted Inf. History

19th Jul 1900 2nd WAMI at Palmietfontein

23rd Jul 1900 Advanced Pretoria to Komati Port under Pole-Carew West Australian 2nd Mounted Inf. History

16th Aug 1900 At Elands River near Dullstroon 150km east of Pretoria

23rd Aug 1900 2nd WAMI from Wonderfontein to Belfast. On Hungarian horses, met
Boers under heavy fire for 1 hour, stuck in a swampy morass under fire
Told to retreat to the railway line as Boers were shooting horses. Tom
Firns described as being "game as a pebble", mentioned he used to
ride with Gus Ebling at Avoca 10 years ago. They retreated at night
then became lost, almost walked into a Boer camp, managed to get
back and camped at Monument Hill, cold night, no blankets.
Boers later came at them with cannon fire, Gus had fired 250 rounds of
ammunition. So Tom back into it between 11th and 23rd Aug.
Gus mentioned that doctors had disagreed whether a bullet hit his lung Rapid recovery, so likely not.

28th Aug 1900 Fighting in the Belfast District, and frequently thereafter West Australian 2nd Mounted Inf. History

3rd Sept 1900 Gus Ebling interviews Tom Firns. At Waterval Onver Lieut Darling West Australian 2nd Mounted Inf. History
and 8 others wounded

1st Oct 1900 Suffered casujalties around Machododorp through this month West Australian 2nd Mounted Inf. History

Jan and Feb 1900 Employed in Cape Colony driving out invaders
5th Feb, several men wounded

16th Mar 1901 Thomas Firns became a sergeant. Tern with WAMI nearing it's end.

31st Mar 1901 Tom Firns joined Scottish Horse
2nd Scottish Horse
16th Mar 1901 Thomas enlisted with second Scottish horse. Decision made two
weeks or more prior to 2nd WAMI departing. In E squadron

15th Apr 1901 At Middleburg

30th Apr 1901 Fighting near Belfast under Col. Benson, four officers wounded Letter from Private T.G. Madden

30th Apr 1901 Corp. Blackham killed at Dunstroom, Blood River 12 wounded
Also known as Roomiklipt. 116 wagons captured, 55,000 ammo,
10,000 sheep, 500 cattle & horses, 250 rifles.
Off to Carolina district towards Koomalipoort

2nd May 1901 At Dunstroon, fighting. Around this time 19 Scottish horse men missing.

29th May 1901 2nd Horse at Vlackfontein near Naaupoort J.D. Harris Military History Journal Vol 9 No 6

3rd Jul 1901 Battle of Vlakfontein, wounded sent to Machadodorp

5th Jul 1901 Thomas Firns became a Lieutenant for conspicuous gallantry
The telegram from Marquis of Tullibardine dated 8th July

15th Jul 1901 2nd Scottish with Benson at Olifants River "Southern Cross Sots" John E. Price page 54

29th Jul 1901 T. Firns mentioned in despatches LG 29/7/1902 (suspected error?) 1901 ?

2nd Aug 1901 T. Firns mentioned in despatches Army Orders 385

10th Sept At Carolina & Middleburg 50 Boers taken prisoner along with equipment

26th Aug 1901 T. Firns mentioned in despatches Army Orders 399

25th Oct 1901 At Bethel, numerous skirmishes

30th Oct 1901 Battle at Bakenlaagte, Tom Firns shot three times, fell into a hole.
Many men killed including Col. Benson, Major Murray

20th Dec 1901 T. Firns receives Christmas card from Kathleen (the Kloof) Marquioness of Tullibardine

28th Jan 1902 T. Firns delivered a military envelope to Cape Town addressed to London

6th Feb 1902 Left Cape Town on SS Bungaree for Melbourne via Fremantle

THOMAS FIRNS arrives back in Australia

1st Mar 1902 Arrived in Melbourne on SS Bungaree

10th Apr 1902 Presented with a gold watch in front of 300 people The Argus, 14 April 1902
Stated that he is home on sick leave. Wounded 4 times.
"May receive the DSO" <didn't happen>

14th Apr 1902 Took a train from Amphitheatre to Bendigo, then tram to Ironbark
Visiting the Anderson family

19th Apr 1902 Took the train from Bendigo to Melbourne, thence a cab to North Melbourne

20th Apr 1902 Walked to Moonee Ponds, various visits. Stayed with the Douglas family
several days

22nd Apr 1902 Thomas booked a fare on SS Coolgardie for W.A.

25th Apr 1902 Had his photo taken in military uniform in Collingwood

26th Apr 1902 Departed Melbourne on SS Coolgardie, arrived Adelaide 28th.

3rd May 1902 Arrived in Albany, cargo unloaded

6th May 1902 Arrived in Fremantle

7th May 1902 Took the train to Jarrahdale and Mundijong. Met his sister, Sarah there

8th May 1902 Met brother, Harry who was on his way to Perth. Harry returned 6pm.
Harry had two horses and a spring cart, Tom visited 5 & 6 mills next day
Went to Pinjarra to visit Mr & Mrs Preston and Sidel

13th May 1902 Left for Perth, but had dinner at Turner's Cottage first then Harry took him
to Glenlogie (Mundijong). Miss Hymus and Miss Day arrived and Tom
escorted them to Rockingham by train, and he returned.

16th May 1902 Tom went to Perth, found 2nd WAMI Alfred Ernest Spiers (no 19) very lame
and working for the railways.
Interview with Lieut. Colonel Campbell in Perth which ended his military
time.

26th May 1902 Aboard SS Kalgoorlie for Melbourne and home to Amphitheatre.

5th April 1904 War pension letter received from London War Office

6th Apr 1904 Thomas married Elizabeth Anderson at Ironbark, Bendigo

26th May 1907 only child, Elizabeth Margaret Firns born, died the following day in
Amphitheatre

general info Thomas was an Amphitheatre farmer after returning from the war
His house was that of his grandparents who died a few years earlier
He had fruit trees, a dairy, grew vegetables, assisted where he could, he
had a limp but was known to go out in the morning and return by noon
with 40 fence posts he had cut. A strong man.

8th June 1914 T Firns won case of spoons at Maryborough Rifle Club Avoca - Farmers & Miners Journal

13th Jul 1915 T. Firns gave a speech at Amphi Public Hall about the facts of war

18th Jan 1916 Tributes to S. Firns (WW1) and Thomas Firns (Boer War) at Lexton lunch

5th Apr 1916 Amphitheatre Show, Tom Firns dominated the prizes for vegetable exhibits
12 heaviest tomatoes, 1st and 2nd, 2 heaviest marrows, 1st and 2nd
6 carrots, 2nd. T.Firns on show committee

26th Sept 1916 T. Firns gave a speech in Amphitheatre re Private Walter Harvey leaving

27th Feb 1917 T. Firns captain of Amphitheatre Fire Brigade (probably for some years) Avoca newspaper
& crew fought fire at Greenhill Creek Avoca Mail



25th Apr 1918 Tom Firns made a speech at Amphitheatre Anzac day

30th Apr 1918 Tom Firns mentioned at Fruit and Flower show as a significant grower

7th Jun 1918 T. Firns sold a cow and calf at Avoca Stock sale

28th Jun 1918 Tom Firns was one of four coffin bearers to uncle Charles' grave in Amphi

10th Nov 1919 Elizabeth (Anderson) Firns died in Amphitheatre

3rd Mar 1918 Tom Firns purchased 64 acres land, from Geo Dridan who was leaving the
district. (Septimus bought 100 acres)

25th Apr 1918 Anzac Day Lt T Firns & Private S Firns spoke at the Service - Amphi Avoca - Farmers & Miners Journal

1920 Second marriage to Alice Rapkins

3rd Mar 1920 Tom Firns & Rob Firns bid £107 for land - sale of George Dridan Ballarat Star

4th Dec 1920 Tom Firns mentioned as an Amphitheatre orchardist (R. Firns also) Weekly Times, Melb. , page 12

13th May 1924 New road proposed through T and S Firns property on western boundary Ballarat Star
of town, 27 chains etc and above the flood levels

5th Dec 1925 Tom Mentioned, orchardist, large article "Possibilities in Amphitheatre" Weekly Times, page 32

12th Dec 1934 Thos Firns present and noted as a foundation member of Amphi rifle club Sun News Pictorial

4th Nov 1943 Thomas Firns died in Amphitheatre Death notice states shot 3 times

2nd Aug 1963 Alice (Rapkins) Firns died