Goodwill from the "State of the Big Bird" (www.cassowaryconservation.asn.au) Hello Ted and All, I agree with Peter Gibson's findings (6/3). I had a first cousin (maternal twice removed) who served with the Natal Mounted Rifles and he is not mentioned in the Australian records as it was a British or South African Unit. He is recorded as being a Plague Officer in India and in Transvaal. While in the Transvaal the Boer War broke out and he , Dr. Rupert Hornabrook, joined the Natal Mounted Rifles as a Medical Officer. Dr. Hornabrook was thought to be the first Australian to have seen action in the Boer War. He was wounded in the Boer attack on Ladysmith January 6, 1900 and was in Ladysmith throughout the Siege. Lieutenant Hornabrook was Mentioned in Despatches. He was the only Australian known to wear the clasps 'Elangslaagte' and 'Defence of Ladysmith' on his Q.S.A. Queen's Service Award. I shall also have to take a look at the <url> that Paul Kinney provided (6/3). May all this inspire a "ring o' bells" Dean Newman, North Queensland Australia "As time goes by" [email protected] "Knowledge can be communicated but not wisdom" ----- Original Message ----- From: "Val Harris" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2003 5:17 PM Subject: Imperial Lighthorse > Asked on behalf of Peter Booth, who says, > > I have a copy of a letter from Kimberley, South Africa dated 30 th April 1900. It was sent by my great grandfather's brother William O'Connor. > > He talks of being in the Colonial Scouts from January to March 1900, before joining the Imperial Lighthorse in April. He says he is in the Imperial Lighthorse, Troop 1, C Squadron. > > During April, the unit has moved from Ladysmith and Colenso back to Durban, where they seem to have taken a ship to Cape Town and the had a 37 hour train trip up to Kimberley. They set out for the relief of Mafikeng the next day. > > I have been unable to find a William O'Connor on any Australian Boer War sites, and wonder if the Imperial Lighthorse was not classified as a British Regiment. > > Any help appreciated. > > Ted