Ancestor Details

Name of Ancestor: Robert Henry Colbourne

Ancestor's date of birth: 23/10/1868

Ancestor's date of death: 04/11/1958

Cause of Death: Detail not provided

Service and Life Before the Boer War: Born the son of Corporal John Colbourne and Eliza Kennedy. Enlisted in the Permanent Artillery of NSW 23 April 1885 but did not deploy to the Sudan.

Service Number: 1426

Colony or State of enlistment: NSW, Place of Enlistment: Sydney

Unit: 'A' Field Battery

Rank attained in Boer War: SGT, Date Effective: 01/01/1899

Highest Rank attained (if served after war): LT, Date Effective: 01/01/1916

Murray Page: 53

Contingent: Second New South Wales

Ship: SS Warrigal, Date of Sailing: 30/12/1899

Memorial details: Detail not provided

Awards/Decorations/Commendations: Queen's South Africa Medal with Cape Colony, Transvaal and South Africa 1901 Clasps, Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Service Medal

Personal Characteristics: Detail not provided

Reasons to go and fight: A full time soldier.

Details of service in war: February 1900 - August 1901 in Cape Colony and Transvaal; as part of the the only full time Australian military unit to serve in South Africa.

Service and life after the Boer War: Remained in the permanent forces post war. Promoted Staff Sgt 1903 and transferred to the Army Instructional Corps. Was selected to represent A Field Battery in November 1904 at the presentations of the Kings Banner. Promoted Hon Lieutenant 1916 but later relinquished this appointment retiring as a warrant Officer He died 4 Nov 1958. His QSA is held by the Army Museum, Victoria Barracks, Sydney.

Descendant Details

Name of Descendant: Dougal Gordon, Pearce ACT
Relationship to Ancestor: 2X Great Nephew

Name of Descendant: Henry Gordon, Pearce ACT
Relationship to Ancestor: 3X Great Nephew

Name of Descendant: Alannah Gordon, Pearce ACT
Relationship to Ancestor: 3X Great Niece

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