Ancestor Details

Ancestor's Name: Oswald Ernest French

Ancestor's date of birth: 23/06/1882

Ancestor's date of death: 10/01/1940

Cause of Death: Killed while felling a tree on his property near Scone.

Service and Life Before the Boer War: Oswald was 21 when he enlisted. He had seen service in the Australian Horse. His occupation was listed as a driver. He was also a keen local footballer in his hometown of Scone, NSW.

Service Number: 308

Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Scone

Unit: C Squadron, 5^th Battalion 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: 191

Contingent: Third Australian Commonwealth

Ship: Columbian, Date of Sailing: 22/05/1902

Memorial details: Detail not provided

Awards/Decorations/Commendations: NIL

Personal Characteristics: His medical certificate details state he was a height of 177 cm; chest measurement 88 to 92 cm; Complexion fair; eyes blue; hair brown; distinctive marks nil.

Reasons to go and fight: Detail not provided.

Details of service in war: Arrived after the war ended. During its short stay in South Africa half of the battalion was stationed at Newcastle, Natal, and the other half at Durban, and subsequently at Gilletts Natal.

Service and life after the Boer War: After the Boer War he became the proprietor of livery stables. He was also a horse buyer and cattle breeder.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Elizabeth Flaherty, Scone NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Grand Niece

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