Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Herbert Cyrus Kingsmill served twice in the South African (Boer) War, first as a Private S.N. 24 in the 4th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, and second as a Private S.N. 622 in the 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen. Newspaper reports from May 1902 note that he remained in South Africa for further service when the 6th returned to Australia, his date of return and discharge is unknown. (source AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 480 & 518).

Herbert Cyrus Kingsmill served twice in the South African (Boer) war. First service as a Private S.N. 24 in the 4th Queensland Imperial Bushmen. Second service as a Private S.N. 622 in the 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen (1st Draft).

When he joined the 4th QIB in 1900 and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 19 May 1900, he noted his N.O.K. as Mrs. Kingsmill, 51 Wigram Rd, Glebe, Sydney. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 4th QIB, Bk 3 p. 33, it is noted he directed part of his pay to his wife Mrs. Henrietta E. Kingsmill, 61 Wigram Rd, Glebe, Sydney. He was invalided from the 4th QIB and discharged in Brisbane in Mar 1901.

Not long after he was selected in the First Draft of the 6th QIB and embarked again for South Africa in Aug 1901. The members of the draft mainly consisted of men who had served in previous contingents in South Africa and were assembled as reinforcements for the 5th and 6th QIB contingents already in South Africa. Men in the draft were not recorded in the original nominal roll for the 6th QIB.

He was, however, recorded in the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB, Bk 4 p. 61, where it is noted he directed part of his pay to his wife Henrietta Kingsmill, 61 Wigram Rd, Glebe, Sydney. The paybooks also note he was invalided from service and requested a discharge in South Africa which was approved in Feb 1901. It appears he remained in South Africa possibly later joining Doyle's Australian Scouts.

Newspaper reports note when the 5th QIB returned to Australia a number of men remained in South Africa for various reasons including for further service. The Brisbane Courier, 16 May 1902, notes when the 5th QIB embarked to return to Australia that, S.N. 622, Private H. C. Kingsmill, remained in South Africa for further service.

It appears he was working in Auckland, New Zealand, when he passed in 1910. His death was subject to investigation by the Coroner who found he died of heart failure as a result of self administered corrosive poisoning. Report in the New Zealand Herald, 8 February 1910, p. 6, notes he was found wandering exhausted in scrub near Green Bay, Auckland, and died while being taken to hospital. It noted he was a printer by trade and was married with his wife living in Australia.

Herbert Cyrus Kingsmill was born on 18 Nov 1863 at Rockhampton, a son to Henry Edward Kingsmill and Helen Kingsmill (nee Portus). His parents married in NSW and had a number of children there before locating to Queensland, and sometime after Herbert's birth moved back to NSW. Herbert married twice. He first married Lucy Ann Gardner in Oct 1886 in NSW. He then married again to Henrietta Elizabeth Hubbard in 1895 in NSW and they had 1 child.

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 480 & 518; National Archives Australia- Boer War Service Paybooks 4th QIB, Bk 3 p. 33, and 5th QIB, Bk 4 p. 60; Corrosive Poisoning: Suicide In The Scrub, A Printer's Death - New Zealand Herald, 8 February 1910, p. 6).