The Australian Boer War Memorial
Anzac Parade Canberra

 
 
Sergeant William Murdoch

Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: William Henderson Murdoch

Ancestor's date of birth: 1876

Ancestor's date of death: 17/07/1947

Cause of Death: Coronary Artery Occlusion

Service and Life Before the Boer War: William was a Horse Breaker

Service Number: 167

Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Detail not provided

Unit: D Company, New South Wales Imperial Bushmen

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

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

Murray Page: 100

Contingent: Fourth New South Wales

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

Other Boer War Service: Sergeant 2nd Scottish Horse

Memorial details: William is buried in Walgett Cemetery NSW

Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queens South Africa Medal with four Clasps Cape Colony, Rhodesia, Orange Free State and Transvaal, Kings South Africa Medal with SA 1901 and SA 1902 clasps.

Personal Characteristics: William Henderson Murdoch - a country man adept with horses. He was immensely suited to become part of the New South Imperial Bushman Regiment.

Reasons to go and fight: He was a member of one of a number of regiments raised in the Australian colonies in response to a request from the British government asking for 'hardy bushmen' who could ride, shoot and navigate the bush.

Details of service in war: May 1900 - May 1901 with NSWIB. Whilst most of the Australian contigents raised were involved in the Bloemfontein actions, 1400 volunteers and Bushman Contingents arrived in Cape Town in early April and were redirected north to Beira to help secure Rhodesia. The relief of the besieged town of Mafeking on the 16th May 1900 included NSW Imperial Bushman brigaded with New Zealand rough riders. Being a Kiwi by birth, William would have felt right at home with these men. At nearby Elands River, from 4-16 August 1900, 500 Australian Bushmen from all colonies defeated a force of 2,500. The chronicler Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle noting: 'When the ballad makers of Australia seek for a subject, let them turn to Elands river, for there was no finer resistance in the war'.

Service and life after the Boer War: On his return from the war in 1902, William resumed his country lifestyle. In 1903 he married Ida Sue Cashman in Brewarrina NSW. Census records and family information reveal that William was a drover by occupation, his love of horses never left him. He spent his remaining years droving, at times with his sons. An existence which I know he must have loved. He and Ida had six sons and 4 daughters. William passed away on 17th July 1947 in Walgett Hospital and is buried in Walgett cemetery. An admirable man, he left a legacy of bravery, determination and a fine family.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Athol William McDonald, Mount Tamborine QLD
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson

Name of Descendant: Catherine O'Meally, Maroubra NSW
Relationship to Ancestor: Grand Daughter


 


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RUSI of NSW Boer War Battlefields