The Fifth Queensland Imperial Bushmen Contingent Sailed on 6 March 1901 per transport 'Templemore' taking 22 Officers, 479 other ranks and 450 horses. A detachment followed a few days later by transport 'Chicago' consisting of 1 Officer, 25 other ranks and 26 horses.
First detachment arrived in Capetown 31 March 1901.
These men were specially selected. No man was to be above 177 cm or below 167 cm.
They were taken straight to Pietersburg, a journey of 12 days and attached to Col Plumer's force. They moved to Olifants Poort (River) then Naauwpoort where on 26 April had first brush with the enemy.
First member killed 28 April - Pte JH Anderson.
Main body moved to Eerstefabriken, ten miles east of Pretoria and then to Silverton, arriving 6 May 1901.
Moved to Bethal 15 May 1901, burning farms along the route.
Pte WM Hendry killed 26 May. Moved to Standerton. Moved to Piet Relief. Then south to Utrecht and north again to Lake Chrissie and Carolina near Middleburg. Then by rail to Pretoria and Bloemfontein. Then cross country to Poplar Grove, Abraham's Kraal and Paardeberg, crossing the Modder River and then on to Kimberley.
On 5th August 1901 Pte. R.R. Cumming of Toowoomba was accidently shot on duty.
On 27th September 1901 had severe loss as Mokari Drift, Caledon River. Two Officers and 2 Privates were killed. Went west and south west to Orange River Colony, and north west to Cape Colony then south west again to Orange River Colony. South east again to the Transvaal and again to Orange River Colony.
At Volkerust on 12 March 1902 handed over their horses, wagons etc and on 19 March entrained to Cape Town arriving there on 23 March 1902.
On 27 March 1902 embarked per transport "St Andrew" arriving Brisbane on 30 April 1902 having called at Albany and Melbourne.
Unit disbanded on 5 May 1902.
Pay Rates:
Private: 5 shillings (50¢) per day from date of embarkation plus 1 shilling (10¢) per day extra being 'Colonial Allowance'.
