The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra

 
 
Major John Cameron

Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: John McLeod Cameron

Ancestor's date of birth: 30/07/1873

Ancestor's date of death: 01/04/1923

Cause of Death: Pernicious anaemia

Service Number: Officer, no number

Colony or State of enlistment: VIC, Place of Enlistment: Gippsland

Unit: 3rd Victorian Bushmen, Cameron's Scouts

Rank attained in Boer War: MAJ, Date Effective: 1901

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): Difficult to find record of post Boer War service

Murray Page: 251

Contingent: Third Victorian

Ship: SS Euryalus, Date of Sailing: 10/03/1900

Other Boer War Service: Rhodesian Field Force and Cape Colony Colonial Force

Memorial details: Melbourne Boer War Memorial

Decorations: QSA, with 4 clasps (cc/ofs/tvl/rhod), KSA with 2 clasps

Personal Characteristics: Detail not provided

Reasons to go and fight: Detail not provided

Details of service in war: John 'Jack' Cameron made an offer to the Victorian government (which was accepted) to raise Cameron's Scouts, being made up of 24 men from Gippsland, Victoria and their mounts with himself holding the rank of Lieut. They were attached to 3rd. Victorian (Bushmen's) Contingent, and sailed with them disembarking 3rd. April, 1900 at Beira, South Africa. They then went to Marandellas, Rhodesia, to Buluwayo and then to Mafeking. They became Major General Sir Frederick Carrington's bodyguard and were attached to the Rhodesian Field Force (in which Cameron was promoted to Captain). They saw action at Ottoshoop and Zeerust. Sometime after this they returned to Rhodesia with Sir Frederick where they were effectively disbanded. Cameron ensured that all who wished to return to Australia could do so, however he and another officer remained in South Africa. Cameron then attained the rank of Major in the Cape Colony Colonial Force in which he served until the end of the war. While with this Force he was Commandant at Aberdeen and Carnarvon.

Service and life after the Boer War: Major John Cameron, then of Bushey, Herts., England married Harriet Ellen 'Ellie' Round, daughter of Enoch Round and his wife, Sarah Smith, 2nd. March, 1905, Shifnal, Shrops. 'The Times', 11th. July, 1911, mentions bankruptcy proceeding against Major Cameron, now of Milton House, Lindfield, Sussex. Creditors presented proofs to the value of £25,000 to the Official receiver for Brighton district. It was stated that an adjudication of bankruptcy would prejudice Major Cameron's interest in patents for a new explosive. There is no further information concerning this matter. Major Cameron died 1st. April, 1923, at his residence 26, Park Chase, Wembley Park, London.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Timothy Keith Hallam, Balwyn VIC
Relationship to Ancestor: Great-great-nephew

Name of Descendant:Heather Cameron, Croydon Vic
Relationship to Ancestor: Great niece

 


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