Ancestor Details
Name of ancestor: Richard James Augustus Doherty
Ancestor's date of birth: 19/03/1854
Ancestor's date of death: 25/06/1930
Cause of Death: He died in the Adelaide Hospital and the cause of death is described as 'retention of urine and extravasation of urine'.
Service and Life Before the Boer War: "I left South Australia for South Africa 7 November 1899; but previous to that I served 17 years and 210 days in the Royal Artillery, and during that period I have served in England, Ireland and the Channel Islands. I embarked for the Cape of Good Hope in 1876, and took part in the South African wars of 1877-78-79. In 1880 I returned to England on promotion to the Western District Depot as an instructor. Afterwards I served in China and the Straits Settlements, whence I took my discharge in 1889 for Adelaide. I was a Lance-corporal in the First South Australian Contingent, but missed sailing with my comrades in 1899."
Service Number: 627
Colony or State of enlistment: Not Australia, Place of Enlistment: Natal
Unit: Colt (machine) Gun Section, D Squadron, Bethune's Mounted Infantry
Rank attained in Boer War: SMAJ, Date Effective: 1900
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No evidence of post Bower War Service.
Murray Page: Not applicable, did not serve in an Australian unit.
Contingent: Not applicable
Ship: Warnambool, Date of Sailing: 07/11/1899
Memorial details: Detail not provided.
Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps.
Personal Characteristics: He proved himself to be a magnificent soldier-full of fire and zeal, and he will be heartily welcomed back to the colony.
Reasons to go and fight: Desire of having one more opportunity of serving my Queen and the Empire.
Details of service in war: From 8 December 1899 until 11April 1900 in Bethune's Mounted Infantry. Was with General Buller's forces at the battles of Colenso, Spion Kop, and the Relief of Ladysmith.
Service and life after the Boer War: "I returned to South Australia in 1900 as sergeant-major in the charge of details on the Harlech Castle." No further details provided.
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Janice Beverley Doherty, Blakeview SA
Relationship to Ancestor: great grand-daughter
