All the Australian infantry had been mounted by 6 February 1900 and the Australian Regiment, which comprised E Squadron, New South Wales Mounted Rifles, 1/Victoria Mounted Rifles, 1/South Australian Mounted Rifles, 1/West Australian Mounted Infantry and 1/Tasmanian Contingent, was used on what was termed the Central Front where the Boers had occupied Colesberg and were pushing south into the Eastern Cape.
On 9 February the West Australian Mounted Infantry gallantly prevented the Boers outflanking the British position by defending what was known as West Australia Hill. The Australians had 2 men killed and 6 wounded.
A quote from John Stirling’s ‘The Colonials in South Africa’ states – “The General Officer Commanding (RAP Clements) wishes to place on record his high appreciation of the courage and determination shown by a party of 20 men of the West Australians under Captain Moor in the above operation. By their determined stand against 300 or 400 men they entirely frustrated the enemy’s attempt to turn the flank of the position”.
Reference: Skirmish: Hussar Hill, Natal; Alexanderfontein, Kimberley
