Private Stock was a member of the Casterton Detachment, Victorian Mounted Rifles.Thomas and his brother both volunteered for active service in South Africa at the outbreak of war. Thomas was an expert horseman and very patriotic. He fought and fell for the Empire at Rensburg.Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".private, thomas stock, casterton, victorian mounted rifles, duncan stock, rensburg, empire

Sergeant Neil Grant died from bullet wounds in the chest during the battle in Rensburg on 10 February 1900. Private Willson, quick to go to his aid, was killed instantly as he bent over the wounded man. He was well known in Ballarat for his military career and also as an auctioneer. He was 45 years of age, married and father of eight children. Other soldiers from Ballarat who were killed are Corporal Ross, Private Duncan Stock and Private Thomas Stock.Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".sergeant neil grant, rensburg, private willson, ballarat, corporal ross, private duncan stock, private thomas stock

Private Willson was part of the First Contingent - Mounted Infantry Unit sent to South Africa. He joined the Victorian Mounted Rifles only a few weeks prior to this. During an attack in force by the Boers, at Hobkirk's Farm near Rensburg, he was struck by a ball in the eye and died instantly. He was known to be a brave man and good soldier. He was 23 years old. The back cover of the booklet shows a reduced facsimile of the Queen's Chocolate Box received by the late Private A H Willson.Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".albert herbert willson, private, first contingent, mounted infantry, victorian mounted rifles, rensburg, south africa, hobkirk's farm, boers

George Eddy was born in Castlemaine (1860) and joined the Third Battalion of Militia at Ballarat in 1885. In 1890 he gained a position on the permanent staff of the Victorian Rangers and promoted to Major in 1897. Eddy went to England (1898-9) and was attached to the Devonshire Regiment. Major Eddy was killed at Rensburg, Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa in 1900. He was Senior Officer of the First Contingent, commanding the Infantry Unit. Colonel Carter wrote..." ....I brought the gallant conduct of your husband and his command under the notice of the General .....He was a genial comrade and a gallant soldier, and he is, I fear, an irreparable loss to the Australian Contingent." ('Argus' April 1900)Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".george eddy, castlemaine, third battalion of militia ballarat, victorian rangers, devonshire regiment, major, rensburg, south africa

James Roberts was born at Rushworth, Victoria, in 1872. He matriculated and graduated from Melbourne University in Civil Engineering. He had recently re-entered university to study medicine. While in university he was a lieutenant of the University Corps of Officer and then obtained a commission in the Victorian Mounted Rifles. At the outbreak of war, Roberts immediately volunteered for service in South Africa. He was in the first contingent - mounted infantry unit. He was mentioned in dispatches. Lieutenant Roberts was killed at Rensburg on 12 February 1900.Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".james roberts, rushworth, melbourne university, civil engineering, medicine, university corps of officers, victorian mounted rifles, south africa, rensburg, first contingent, mounted infantry unit

Alexander Ross was born in Castlemaine in 1879. He became a member of the 4th Battalion Infantry Brigade and was noted for his soldierly qualities. When volunteers were called for the First Contingent, Mounted Infantry Unit going to South Africa, he was one of the first to enlist. In the Battle at Rensburg he was shot through the chest and died shortly after. Major Eddy and Lieutenant Roberts also died in the same action. About a fortnight before he was killed Corporal Ross had mailed the Queen's Chocolate Box he had received, to his father. In it was a letter which included information "...I am quite well and have not seen action yet. I remain Your affectionate son Alexander Ross"Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".alexander ross, corporal, castlemaine, 4th battalion infantry brigade, first contingent, mounted infantry unit, south africa, rensburg, major eddy, lieutenant roberts, queen's chocolate box

William Lambie was one of two war correspondents riding behind the Australians patrol when they left Rensburg Base. The objective was to determine the strength of the Boers south of Rensburg Siding. The group split in two. The group the journalists were with went on ahead. They were ambushed and surrounded by Boer horsemen and told to surrender. They ignored this and made a dash for the safety of the British lines. Lambie was shot in the head and died instantly. The other journalist was wounded and taken to the Boer's camp and tended, then later sent to hospital. Lambie was buried by the Boers on the farm Jasfontein owned by Hendrik Kotze.Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".war correspondent, rensburg base, rensburg siding, boer, horsemen, jasfontein, hendrik kotze, william lambie

William Fleming Hopkins was born in the Maryborough District in 1864. He graduated from Adelaide University, B.A.. Returning to Victoria he did three years of teaching at Portland and Scotch College. Admitted to Melbourne University, graduating M.B. and B.S. in 1891 and secured the appointment of Medical Officer and Manager of the Stawell Hospital. Doctor Hopkins joined the Victorian Rangers Medical Staff in 1892 with the rank of Captain. He served with them until his appointment as Medical Officer to the First Victorian Contingent under the command of Captain McLeish. Captain Hopkins exhibited courage and coolness under heavy fire attending to the wounded at Rensburg. He died of enteric fever (typhoid) at Naauwpoort, in the Orange Free state, 27 March 1900 Digital portrait from "In Memory of the Gallant Officers and Men of Victoria in Transvaal War, 1899-1900".william fleming hopkins, maryborough district, portland, scotch college, melbourne university, medical officer, stawell hospital, victorian rangers medical staff, first victorian contingent, renburg, enteris fever, naauwpoort, orange free state