Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Edmund Sweeney served twice in the South African (Boer) War. First service was as a Private S.N. 397, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen. Second service was as a Sergeant S.N. 237, 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse.

When Edmund Sweeney enlisted in 1901 in the 5th QIB and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 16 Mar 1901, he noted his N.O.K. as his mother Mrs. W. Sweeney, Uhr Street, Hughenden North. In the Boer War Service Paybooks for the 5th QIB, Bk 3 p. 64, it is noted he directed part of his pay to his mother Mrs. M. Sweeney, Uhr Street, Hughenden.

He was severely wounded in action in May 1901 while rescuing a fellow soldier. He was invalided back to Australia and discharged from the 5th QIB on 23 Sep 1901.

He re-enlisted on 1 May 1902 at Brisbane in the 7th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse. On his Attestation Paper, dated 1 May 1902, it is noted that; he was born at Roma, Qld, and was 22 years 7 months of age; he was single and a stockman residing at Hughenden; his N.O.K. was his father, Uhr St, Hughenden; and he had previously served 4 months with the QIB in South Africa.

Edmund Sweeney was born Edmond Michael Sweeney at Roma, a son to William Sweeney and Maria Sweeney (nee Joyce). He officially married Margaret Victoria Jameson on 20 Dec 1946 in Queensland, after having been together for some time with 4 children born between 1914 and 1920.

During his first service in South Africa he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallant conduct. He was involved in action on 25 May 1901 where he rode his horse back under heavy fire to rescue a fellow soldier whose horse had been shot, got the soldier up behind him, and while riding for cover Edmund was shot in the chest. State Library Qld have a digitised photo of Edmund in his 5th QIB uniform which was supplied with a note describing the incident and noting the soldier he rescued was Robert John Adams S.N. 198.

The above incident was recorded in a letter by an officer in the 5th QIB that made its way back to Australia and was subsequently published in The Brisbane Courier, 8 Jul 1901, p. 5, with a part extract provided below.

A Gallant Incident

"...I dare say Australian papers will be fairly full of how Lieutenant Reece behaved on the 25th with a small party of our Fifth Contingent. He is mentioned for the D.S.O., and, by the way, one of the men is almost sure to get the V.C. if he lives. His name is Sweeney. He rode back under very heavy fire to a man whose horse had been shot. He got his man up behind him, and then started for cover, when he himself was shot through the chest. He gasped out, "Never mind me; save yourself old chap; I'm done for," and then fell. I am afraid there is not much hope for him....."

(source- AWM Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 501 & 536; Qld State Archives- Boer War Service Paybooks 5th QIB, Bk 3 p. 64; National Archives Australia- Boer War Dossier, 2nd service Attestation Paper).