Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

A Gippsland miner' who brought 'vital experience to the ranks'
In his book, Australia's Boer War, Dr Wilcox describes Trooper Steele as, "a tall Gippsland miner who said he had spent 10 months with an irregular regiment before returning to Australia and enlisting in Melbourne", and who brought "vital experience to the ranks".

By the time Trooper Steele and the 5th VMR arrived in South Africa in February 1901, most soldiers were heartily tired of the war.

The Boers' use of guerrilla tactics was considered deplorable and the men were fatigued, hungry and unwell.

"The Victorians were part of a wave of large contingents sent from Australia early in 1901 that came in for particular criticism as unprepared and also lacking the patriotic impulse of earlier volunteers," Dr Wilcox said.

"For many of these men the war was a job, bread and butter, not a mission or cause."

As Australia did not yet have its own army, the Australians fought as auxiliaries under the authority of British generals.

On the night of June 12, 1901 the 5th VMR was under the command of British officer Major-General Stuart Beatson when they made camp near Wilmansrust farm.

As evening fell and the men settled in for the night, Boer commandos dressed in khaki ambushed the camp.

Confusion reigned as Imperial forces struggled to identify friend from foe in the dark. The battle was over in 15 minutes, leaving 18 Victorians dead and wounding 41 others, while the Boers made off with horses, artillery and ammunition.