Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Lieutenant Thomas Moore DSO, in 1899 was a 24 year old farmer when he signed up to the NSW Citizens Bushmen. Along with the other colonies and New Zealand, it was known as the Bushman Regiment, raised for service in the 2nd Boer War in South Africa. After training Moorey was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in D Squadron and shipped out in March 1900. Moorey and the Bushmen joined their British brigade at Mafeking under boy scout founder Colonel Baden-Powel. They were part of the advance that cleared Pretoria. Then a small British unit was under seize at Rustenburg. Moorey and the Bushmen attacked them and drove the boers off, killing dozens. But 2 Bushmen were also killed. Moorey now well respected for his solid leadership and iconic pipe he smoked, rejoined the advance. They were given the task of securing a large stores dump near the Elands River, the Bushmen arrived and went into all round defence. Overnight 2500 Boer with 9 artillery guns snuck around them, opening fire and attacking at first light. Moorey and his mates, surrounded with no comms and with only 2 guns and half battalion strength were in serious trouble. Pinned down and unable to move, the bushmen held out daily bombardments and attacks by the Boers. After a few days the boers sent men to ask Moorey and his mates to surrender. Their British commander famously declined saying “If I surrender these Australians will cut my throat”. In an attempt to get help, Moorey and a handful of men attempted a breakout. They came under heavy accurate fire from the Boers and had to retreat. A trooper and his horse were shot up and left behind. Moorey, cool as a cucumber, turned back under heavy rifle and artillery fire, got the trooper on his horse, but as he left the horse slipped and fell on the stoney ground. Moorey righted and steadied his horse, reloaded the trooper and got them all back to safety, saving the troopers life. For this action, Moorey was later awarded the Distinguished Service Order. After 10 days the Bushmen broke the siege, the Boers lost over a hundred men and the Bushmen somehow had only 28 killed and 58 wounded. It cemented the reputation of the Aussie and New Zealand Bushmen and they were officially congratulated by the King himself for their actions. Moorey and the Bushmen finished their tour in 1901 and returned home to what was now officially Australia. Moorey spent the rest of his days running Milo Pastoral near Charleville, eventually retiring to Mermaid Beach. Moorey lived to 76, buried at Southport. Lest we forget the handlebar moustache and pipe smoking legend of the Elands River Siege, Lieutenant Tom Moore D S O.

Sources, AWM, NAA, Boer war memorial project online records, UNSW Boer war project Charleville Standard news records.