Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

SECOND (MOUNTED RIFLES) CONTINGENT.
THIS consisted of a squadron enrolled and organized upon the same principles  (so far as they were applicable to mounted men) as that which had preceded it to the war, and which it joined in South Africa, as stated, under the head of "Service."
Establishment.—1 captain, 4 subalterns, 1 medical officer, 2 warrant-officers, 1 quartermaster-sergeant, 6 sergeants, 2 farrier-sergeants, 6 corporals, 4 lance-corporals, 3 shoeing-smiths, 1 saddler, 2 trumpeters, 85 troopers. Total, 6 officers, 112 of other ranks. One subaltern was attached, and one veterinary-lieutenant was appointed for the passage. 1 machine gun, and also wagons
were taken.
For pay, uniform, etc., vide p. 342.
Departure and Return.
The Contingent left on 26th January, 1900, comprising 7 officers, 112 others, with 120 horses. Died or were killed, 4. Two (warrant-officers) were promoted to commissions; 4 others obtained commissions in the Imperial Service; 1 in South African Light Horse; 7 were granted commissions for service with the 5th and 6th Contingents; 1 officer, 25 others, returned to Australia with 1st Contingent. Number struck off in South Africa not known.
Promotions, Etc.
Captain C. J. Reade, to Major, 7th June, 1900.
Lieutenant J. F. Humphris, to Captain, 1st July, 1900.
Lieutenant F. D. Jermyn (Medical Staff), to Captain, 3rd April, 1900.
Lieutenant F. M. Rowell, to Captain (for further service), 31st March, 1901.
Lieutenant G. J. R. Walter, to Captain (for further service), 31st March, 1901.
Warrant-Officer W. J. Press, to Lieutenant, 15th May, 1900.
Warrant-Officer W. De Passey, to Lieutenant, 13th March, 1901.
Troopers James Way, Leonard W. Gordon, W.- H. Gosse, and F. G. Sanders,obtained commissions in the Imperial Army.
Corporal F. F. Solly-Flood, to be Lieutenant, South African Light Horse.
Quartermaster-Sergeant H. E. Francis, Sergeant E. J. F. Langley, Corporal D. W. Brock, Troopers H. A. Tolmer, S. Blue, J. D. Tolmer, and R. A. Hamilton, were promoted to commissions for service with 5th and 6th South Australian Contingents.
Sergeant H. L. S. B. Ogilvy, was promoted Lieutenant, 2nd Australian Commonwealth Horse. (S.A. unit.)
Corporal W. G. R. P. Nordman, was promoted Lieutenant, 8th Australian Commonwealth Horse.
Lance-Corporal R. C. H. Walker, was promoted Lieutenant, 8th Australian Commonwealth Horse.
For promotions of N.C.O.'s and men, vide nominal roll.
Service.
The squadron left Adelaide on the transport Surrey on 26th January, 1900, and disembarked at Cape Town, 25th February. Encamped at Maitland, and entrained for De Aar on 2nd March; arrived on the 6th. Three hours later, marched to Britstown to join Column under Colonel Adye. Marched to and assisted in the relief of Prieska; the Column being under Colonel Adye, Colonel Mahon in charge of the mounted troops, and Lord Kitchener accompanying. Returned to De Aar and entrained for Norval's Pont. Marched to Bloemfontein, under Major Euthoven of " J " Battery, Royal Horse Artillery. Acted under orders from General Gatacre, and General Pole-Carew.

On arrival at Bloemfontein, the squadron united with the First Contingent to form the South Australian Mounted Rifles, and were ordered to join the Fourth Corps of First Mounted Infantry Brigade, under the command of Major-General E. T. H. Hutton. Colonel J. M. Gordon was appointed Deputy Adjutant-General to the Brigade, which numbered 6,215 officers and men.
The First Mounted Infantry Brigade (Hutton's) was formed of eight Mounted
Infantry Corps; the Fourth Corps, under Colonel St. G. C. Henry, included the Victorian Mounted Rifles, South Australian Mounted Rifles, Tasmaniaii Mounted Infantry, and 500 Imperial Mounted Infantry, " J " Battery Royal Horse Artillery, and two pom-poms. Took part in the Karee-Brandfort fight, under General Tucker. Trooper Campbell was shot through the lungs, but recovered, and Trooper Provis (First Contingent) was taken prisoner. Marched to Johannesburg as advanced guard to XI. Division, under Lieutenant-General Pole-Carew, with whom were Lord Roberts and staS. Participated in the taking of Johannesburg, and were first into the fort; also in the taking of Pretoria, and the battle of Diamond Hill, under Lieutenant-General Pole-Carew.
The South Australians camped at Donker Hoek and Rhenoster Foutein. 13th June, to 28th July. Marched through Bronkhurst Spruit to Middolburg. Took their share in the engagement at Belfast, in which Generals Buller, French, Pole- Carew, Hamilton, and Stevenson were concerned. Marched through Helvetia, Machadodorp, Nooitgedacht, Kapsche Hoop, Barberton, and Hectorspruit to
Komati Poort, at which place took part in a review in honour of the King of Portugal's birthday. Returned by train to Pretoria, 9th October, and encamped at Sunnyside.
Part of the Second Contingent, as already stated (vide First Contingent), left for Australia with the First Contingent on 3rd November. The remainder were attached to Mounted Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier-General E. A. Alderson, and returned for further service in ea«t and north-east Transvaal until March, 1901.
The squadron embarked at Capo Town in the transport Tongariro, which steamed for Australia on 29th March. Landed in Sydney on 1st May; proceeded overland to Melbourne, and took part in the Commonwealth celebrations, reaching Adelaide, 12th May. The Contingent was granted a bonus of 30 days' pay by the South Australian Government. Disbanded on 15th May, 1901.
War Services and Honours.
Reade, Major C. J.—Operations in Cape Colony, Orange River Colony, and Transvaal, between March, 1900, and March, 1901, including actions at Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, and Belfast. Despatches, London Gazette, 16th April, 1901. C.B. Queen's Medal with six clasps.
Humphris, Captain J. F.—Operations as stated. Actions at Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, and Belfast. Despatches, London Gazette, 16th April, 1901. D.S.O. Queen's Medal with five clasps.
Lynch, Lieutenant G. H.—Operations and actions as stated. Queen's Medal with clasps.
Rowell, Lieutenant F. M.—Operations as stated. Actions as Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, and Belfast. Lieutenant Rowell was promoted Captain after departure of the Contingent, and served until the end of the war. King's Medal with two clasps. Queen's Medal with five clasps.
Walter, Lieutenant G. J. R.—Operations and actions as stated, including Colesberg. Served until end of war. King's Medal with two clasps. Queen's Medal with five clasps.

Allan, Lieutenant W.—Operations and actions as stated. Queen's Medal with clasps.
Lieutenants W. J. Press and W. De Passey participated in operations and actions generally, and obtained the Queen's Medal, with clasps.

Lieutenant De Passey had served in the Zulu campaign, 1879. Medal with clasp. He commanded the South Australian Squadron 2nd Australian Commonwealth Horse. Operations
in Transvaal from 12th March, 1902, to 31st May. 1902. Seven clasps.
Jermyn, Captain (A.M.C.) F. D.—Vide Army Medical Corps (New South Wales) Commonwealth Contingent.

Extract - Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa, compiled and edited in 1911 by Lieutenant-Colonel P.L. Murray, R.A.A. (Ret.). p.p, 347-349