Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: Walter Stephen King

Ancestor's date of birth: 26/12/1868

Ancestor's date of death: 01/07/1961

Cause of Death: Old Age, his heart just stopped when he was ready to go.

Service Number: 1053

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

Unit: 6^th NSW Imperial Bushmen, F Company

Rank attained in Boer War: CPL, Date Effective: Detail not available

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No evidence of post Boer War service.

Murray Page: 105

Contingent: Fourth NSW Contingent

Ship: Amenian, Date of Sailing: 23/04/1900

Memorial details: Buried in the Catholic section on the Albury Cemetery, Waugh Rd, Albury NSW

Decorations: Queen's South Africa Medal with 5 clasps, Cape Colony,Transvaal,Orange Free State, Rhodiesa, SA1901.

Personal Characteristics: Superb Horseman.

Reasons to go and fight: The right thing to do.

Details of service in war: May 1900 - May 1901 in Rhodesia and west Transvaal including capture of de la Rey's convoy and guns at Wildfontein (24 March 1901). Walter King proved himself an outstanding soldier. During the Boer War he was awarded a Kings Medal, Queens Medal and 5 clasps. He was in the relief that went to Mafeking and remembered seeing there the officer in charge Col, [later Lord] Baden-Powell founder of the scouting movement. Among Walter King's most interesting Boer War stories was one describing his journey of 20 kilometre on a mission of mercy through enemy territory. During the Boer War many of the Boer officers were landowners living on their own properties with their families. The job of fighting a war was incidental. Numbered among these was General De La Ray whose family was reputed to be running out of food. When Walter King's commanding officer Lord Methuen, heard of this he issued instructions that provisions be sent immediately. The dubious honour of trekking through 13 miles of enemy territory with a pack horse load of provisions for the opposing commander fell to Walter King. Soon after crossing nomans land, King was halted, but after explaining his mission was allowed to proceed under armed escort. Reaching the enemy general's farm he was welcomed by an attractive daughter, who in faultless English explained her father, was away with a raiding party. Just then General De LA Ray returned, expressed delight with the gifts and asked Walter to "please convey my warmest appreciation and kindest regards to your Lord Methuen". With that, Walter King was escorted back through enemy territory to his own lines. Some time later, while in action against General De La Ray Lord Methuen suffered a broken leg and was taken prisoner. Delighted with the prize, the Boers began planning to exchange the British commander for 50 of their men held prisoner. But as one good turn deserves another, General De La Ray insisted Lord Methuen be returned to his own medical people" who's care and attention he needs". And so he was escorted with dignity back to his own lines and released. The good old days when even the bloodiest wars were fought strictly in a chivalrous manner.

Service and life after the Boer War: Returned to Australia: 17 July 1901 on the Orient.  Worked as a stock "expert" in the Riverina district, NSW.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Graeme Jackson, Beechworth VIC
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson

Name of Descendant:David Jackson, Sunbury VIC
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Grandson

Name of Descendant: Charlie D Jackson, Sunbury VIC
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Great Grandson

Name of Descendant: Felicity M Jackson, Sunbury VIC
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Great Granddaughter

Name of Descendant: Lieutenant Colonel Andrew B Jackson, Ferny Grove QLD
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Grandson

Name of Descendant: Samuel A Jackson, Ferny Grove QLD
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Great Grandson

Name of Descendant: Beverley L King, Marangaroo WA
Relationship to Ancestor: Grand Daughter

Name of Descendant: Sean C King, Madeley WA
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Grandson

Name of Descendant: Lisa J D'Adamo, Balcutta WA
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Grand Daughter

Name of Descendant: Patrick A King, Stirling WA
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Grandson

Name of Descendant: Scott A King, Albury East NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Great Grandson

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