Trooper Alfred Giles

Ancestor Details

Ancestor's Name: Alfred Percy Giles
Ancestor's date of birth: 1880
Ancestor's date of death: 1954
Cause of Death: Detail not provided
Service and Life Before the Boer War: Born in Adelaide, South Australia he was resident at Clifton Cottage, Coogee St Randwick NSW. His profession was that of seaman. His NOK was his father Alfred in Randwick
Service Number: 302
Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Sydney
Unit: 'C' Sqn 1^st Australian Commonwealth Horse
Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: 1902
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No evidence of post Boer War service
Murray Page: 173
Contingent: First Australian
Ship: Custodian, Date of Sailing: 18/02/1902
Memorial details: Detail not provided
Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Transvaal, Cape Colony and SA 1902 clasps.
Personal Characteristics: He was 168 cm tall, chest measurement 86/91 cm blue eyes, light brown hair and had extensive tattoos.
Reasons to go and fight: Detail not provided
Details of service in war: This Regiment proceeded on 19 March 1902 by train from Durban to Newcastle and thence to Klerksdorp on 10 of April arriving at the later place on the 13^th. It joined the column under the command of Col de Lisle which formed part of Thornycroft's brigade. This column was inspected by Lord Kitchener on 22 April, who expressed himself pleased with the appearance of men and horses. The column was employed clearing the district north of Klerksdorp and took part in a drive which can commenced on 7 May, moving westward to the Kimberley-Mafeking railway blockhouse line. 251 prisoners including Gen De La Rey's brother, were captured, also 300 horses, hundred and 44 rifles and bandoliers, 6000 rounds of ammunition and a large quantity of stock. Command of the column was then turned over to Colonel Ingouville Williams. The column then returned to Klerksdorp reaching that place on 21 May, the regiment remained here until the declaration of peace when they were ordered to Elandsfontein to prepare for return to Australia. The regiment returned to Australia on the transport Drayton Grange. The service the unit was reckoned to be operations in the western Transvaal and British Bechuanaland April to May 1902.
Service and life after the Boer War: His address in Sydney was 6 Cook St Daceyville after the war

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: James Allison, Parkwood WA
Relationship to Ancestor: Grand Son

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