Queensland Imperial Bushmen

The forces of the South African Republic and Orange Free State skirmished with the British Natal Contingent, prompting an escalation of hostilities.

As with the other five Australian domains, Queensland raised a contingent of mounted soldiers for the Second Boer War.

The 4th and 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen departed Brisbane on 18 May 1900 and were deployed to Cape Town on 31 June 1900.

[2][1] One Boer commander, Koos de la Rey, was quoted as saying: For the first time in the war we are fighting men who used our own tactics against us.

[7]Following the conclusion of the conflict, the Queensland Imperial Bushmen sailed for home on 7 July 1901 and were disbanded on 5 May 1902.

Frederick Elliott's painting The Departure of the SS Cornwall depicting the departure from Brisbane of advanced elements of the Queensland Bushmen contingents for the South African War, on Wednesday 1 November 1899.