The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra
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Sergeant Terance McMahon |
Ancestor Details
Ancestor's Name: Terance [Terrence or Terrance] Charles McMahon
Ancestor's date of birth: 02/09/1860
Ancestor's date of death: 08/06/1919
Cause of Death: Bright's Disease (Kidneys) [oral family history only, no death certificate]
Service and Life Before the Boer War: Born Collingwood, Victoria, Australia. Oral history states he ran away from home at 13 yrs of age. He was a son of Michael McMahon and Mary [nee Murray]. We have an original letter dated Dec 24th, 1882 from his younger brother Thomas, written to 'Terence', stating he was being offered a job to take '300 head of horses to Queensland' and 'Mr Hill told Mr Wentworth he never saw a better rider in his life after you went to Melbourne'. Terance had also broken in a pair of Buggie horses for a Mr Hill. This letter was written from 'Burrabogie Station' in Hay, NSW. It shows that Terance McMahon was indeed well thought of in regards to handling horses, and he moved between Victoria and NSW during his life after leaving home.
Service Number: 1630
Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Presume Sydney
Unit: 3rd NSW Mountd Rifles.
Rank attained in Boer War: SGT, Date Effective: 18/06/1901
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No record of post Boer War service.
Murray Page: 125
Contingent: Fifth New South Wales
Ship: Maplemore, Date of Sailing: 17/05/1901
Memorial details: Roman Catholic Monumental Section G grave 0054 at Woronora Cemetery Sutherland NSW.
Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Orange Free State, Transvaal, SA 1901 and SA 1902 clasps.
Personal Characteristics: Oral family history states he was a hard working, skilled horse handler and horse breaker.
Reasons to go and fight: Unknown.
Details of service in war: Served as shoeing smith then farrier sergeant, April 1901 - April 1902 in Free State and East Transvaal including Boer breakthrough at Langverwacht (24 February 1902).
Service and life after the Boer War: Terence McMahon married in 1910, [aged 51yrs],at Sydney Registry Office to Emily Christina Gruber, [aged 32yrs]. They lived at 'Gardenia' in Walmer Street, Sans Souci, NSW and had three sons, one daughter between 1910 - 1918. Terence had horses [photo of children on them at the front of his home]. He died on 8 June 1919. His widow received a letter dated 9.6.1919 from the secretary of the Sans Souci Labour Party stating in part,"The League mourns the loss of a sincere member". He was laid to rest in Roman Catholic Monumental Section G grave 0054 at Woronora Cemetery Sutherland NSW Australia.
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Terrence Charles McMahon, Fairy Meadow NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson
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