Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

'Machine Gun Section of "A" Battery, Royal Australian Artillery (Qld.), seconded to 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry.

The Machine Gun Section was taken from the Royal Australian Artillery (Queensland). The contingent arrived in Cape Town on 12 December 1899. Owing to the weight of the machine gun carriage and the condition the horses were in, it was found that even with four horses per gun they could not keep up with the Column, and were, therefore, worse than useless. The machine guns were therefore handed over complete with harness and all spare parts to Colonel Chambier, Royal Artillery, at Kimberley, and, being required for further service, were retained when the Contingent returned to Queensland.' from Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa. Page 448 (archive.org)

'RETURNING INVALIDS.

Private H. Mungall was found to be suffering from measles on the arrival of the Aberdeen, and was at once removed to the Coast Hospital. There is, however nothing at all serious in his attack. All the Queenslanders are remaining in the barracks here until the arrival of another batch by the Persic, due at the end of this week or the beginning of next. Then they will all go to Brisbane together.' from The Queenslander 11 Aug 1900 (nla.gov.au)

'Local and General News.

The second large batch of invalided Queensland soldiers from South Africa to the number of 42 passed through Toowoomba by the Sydney mail train on Saturday evening en route to Brisbane. They had a very hearty reception during their brief stay here. The local military forces turned out In strength to greet them, and as the train, which was nearly an hour late, steamed in, the Mounted Infantry Band, under Mr. Haskew, struck up "Home Sweet Home." The platform was densely packed with enthusiastic spectators. The Mayor, on behalf of the Toowoomba citizens, tendered a hearty welcome to the men, which was emphasised by Alderman Trapp in a few appropriate remarks.

Sergeant-Major Price returned thanks on behalf of the men, who were loudly cheered, and the train moved out amid the strains of "Auld Lang Syne." The following is a list of the names of the forty-two men who returned :- Sergeant-major J. G. Prlce, Sergeant H. F. Walker, Corporals A. Kidd (Toowoomba), D. Harris, A. Wagner (Toowoomba), Privates R. T. Thomas, J. McDonald, J. E. N. Bull, N. de Verdon, R. McKenzie, W. Rossiter, J. H. Hitchcock, W. Commack, G. Izlaub (Toowoomba), R. S. Pitt, E. V. Fieldlng, R. Smith, S. Washbourne, J. Banks, G. W. T. Waterton, R. Greenwell, W. J. Evans, W. H. Stewart, J. Grayson, J. Ross, J. Cathcart, T. R. Maxwell, J. Locke, M. Egan, H. McNeven, G. Michael, D. McIntosh, P. J. Kavanagh, J. J. Dodson, J. Connolly, W. A. McLeish (Toowoomba), H. G. Fordham, A. W. Dodd, W. Brady, T. Cobon, W. H. Phillips, Gunner P. Riddell. Gunner H. Mungall could not be brought on through illness, and was left behind in the South. Most of the invalids are from the First Contingent, and a few were members of the Second Contingent. One left with the Fourth Contingent, but had to return on landing owing to ill-health.' from Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs General Advertiser 21 Aug 1900 (nla.gov.au)

'THE INVALIDED QUEENSLANDERS.

ACTION OF THE COMMANDANT.

Tho Commandant (Colonel Finn) stated yesterday that he had sent for some of the returned invalided soldiers for the purpose of asking them if they had any complaints to make with regard to the medical examination, the pay, or anything else, as he desired to remedy anything that was wrong. None of the men had any complaints to put forth. Those he saw were : Sergeant F. Price, Gunners J. Smith, Mungall, and Private T. Halligan. Mungall, who belongs to the battery, requires special attendance, and he is being sent away for three months. It has been decided to make his pay up to contingent rates.' from The Brisbane Courier 8 Sep 1900 (nla.gov.au)

'INVALIDS REJOINING.

The undermentioned invalids, being no longer required for the special service for which they were enrolled, will rejoin the Queensland Regiment of Royal Australian Artillery: First Contingent— Sergeant F. Price, Corporal D. Harris, Gunners J. Smith, P. Riddell, and H. Mungall. Second Contingent— Corporal J. Connolly and Corporal T. Halligan.' from The Week 21 Sep 1900 (nla.gov.au)

'OBITUARY.

The death occurred on August 16 of Mr. Harry Mungall, one of the oldest residents of the Ballandean district, at the age of 48 years. He had been ill for about two years. The late Mr. Mungall served in the South African War, being a member of the First Light Horse. In private life he was an orchardist. Surviving him are a widow, two daughters (Mrs. H. Batten and Miss Ivy Mungall), and three sons (Messrs. Robert, Eric, and Claude Mungall).' from The Queenslander 29 Aug 1925 (nla.gov.au)