Ancestor Details
Ancestor's Name: Richard Palmer
Ancestor's date of birth: 27/03/1869
Ancestor's date of death: 11/08/1946
Cause of Death: myocardial degeneration
Service Number: 617
Colony or State of enlistment: VIC, Place of Enlistment: Melbourne
Unit: A Squadron 3VBC. (3rd Australian Bushmen Regiment RFF)
Rank attained in Boer War: TPR, Date Effective: 10/06/1900
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): SPR, Date Effective: 29/03/1917
Murray Page: 251
Contingent: Third Victorian (Bushmen)
Ship: Euryalus, Date of Sailing: 10/03/1900
Memorial details: Grave in the Fremantle Cemetery in Western Australia.
Decorations: QSA with 4 clasps (see below)
Personal Characteristics: Working as a Cooper in Ballarat when the Boer War began in October 1899. He decided to answer the call when experienced Bushmen were asked to form Bushmen Contingents to counter Boer Commando Tactics. Height 1.73 m Chest 95.25 cm.
Reasons to go and fight: He saw it as his duty to the Queen and her Empire to offer his services as he was 30 and not married. Single men were preferred to avoid Victoria paying a widows pension if KIA.
Details of service in war: Disembarked at Beira on 3/04/1900 after departing Melbourne to join Rhodesian Field Force. First action at Koster River on night of 21/07/1900 where his unit lost 4 KIA and 2 DOW. Nine MIA 3VBC mates later in siege of Elands River. Next at Battle of Rhenosterkop 29/11/1900. Campaigned in OFS, CC, TVL, Rhodesia. RTA Morayshire. Arrived Melbourne 5th June 1901. Discharged 8th June 1901.
Note that once all Australian Bushmen had been assembled in Marandellas they were formed into three regiments in RFF and From 10th June 1900 Companies became known as Squadrons and Privates were promoted to Troopers. His rank in the photo was Private Richard Palmer 3VBC as it was taken in Melbourne. His rank and title from 10th June 1900 until discharge on 8th June 1901 was Trooper Richard Palmer [617] A Sqn 3VBC RFF (3rd Australian Bushmen Regiment in Rhodesian Field Force).Service and life after the Boer War: Enlisted in WW1 in AIF on 29/03/1917 by stating age was 44 with nil colonial service. He was a widower with children so he married his housekeeper on 17/04/1917. He served in France. 19747 Sapper Richard Palmer 15 Field Coy Engineers. RTA 21/03/1919. Discharged 28/05/1919 Awarded BWM, Victory Medals. Returned to his trade as a Cooper in Swan Brewery.
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Maurice Kissane; CLOVERDALE WA
Relationship to Ancestor: His grand daughter's sonName of Descendant: Richard Gordon Palmer, NAREMBEEN WA
Relationship to Ancestor: Grandson
