The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
The obverse of the National Commemorative Medal features a soldier standing on rough ground holding a rifle with bayonet attached and his helmet at his feet. Next to the soldier's left leg is written in raised numbers 1899- / 1900. Around the top of the medal in raised lettering is written 'NATIONAL COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL'. The reverse of the medal shows in raised detail a flag pole with the Union Jack flying, set amongst the floral emblems of Great Britain. Around the top of the medal in raised lettering 'THE QUEEN GOD BLESS HER'. In raised lettering below this is written 'THIS / MEDAL COM- / MEMORATES THE / MAGNIFICENT / RESPONSE OF / BRITAIN'S SONS / TO THE EMPIRE'S / CALL TO ARMS! / TRANSVAAL / WAR / 1899 - 1900'. Around the bottom of the medal in raised lettering is written 'DAILY MAIL KIPLING POEM'. The maker's name appears in raised lettering on the left side of the medal next to the flag 'SPINK & SON'.
Charles Cooke joined the Second Queensland Mounted Infantry Contingent when it was raised for service in South Africa on 29 December, 1899. He was allocated the service number 149 and the rank of private. After two weeks of training, the contingent numbering 10 officers, 144 other ranks and 178 horses, embarked in the transport Maori King from Brisbane on 13 January 1900. The contingent disembarked in Cape Town on 24 February and went into Maitland Camp for four days. On 28 February, Cooke travelled with the contingent to Modder River, arriving there on 3 March. On arrival, the contingent joined Lord Robert's field force. Cooke saw action at Osfontein, Poplar Grove and Driefontein. He also saw action in the series of skirmishes leading up to the occupation of Bloemfontein. Cooke was chosen to spend time in Lord Robert's Bodyguard Detachment. This unit was made up of one man from each of the British Colonies and accompanied Lord Roberts wherever he travelled. Cooke returned to the Queensland contingent later in the year and saw further action at Belfast, east of Pretoria, with Chauvel's Mounted Infantry. Cooke embarked at Cape Town with the Second Contingent in the transport ship Tongariro on 30 March 1901 and after a brief stop in Fremantle on 20 April, disembarked in Sydney on 29 April. The contingent travelled by train to Brisbane on 1 May, arriving two days later. Cooke was discharged on 10 May and the Second Contingent was disbanded.
Clothes Brush. The number '149', has been roughly carved into the top of the wooden handle. The top of the handle has a thin wooden cover that has been nailed with 8 small tacks to the base. One of th
Double bowl briar pipe. The Pipe has been fashioned out of a single piece of wood and the two bowls run one behind the other. The rims and the lining of the bowls have a thin metal covering to stop th
Unopened emergency field service ration tin in the form of an oval tin cylinder with soldered ends. A tinned band, impressed '12-99' runs around the centre of the tin and is designed to be opened by a
A voided Southern Cross backed with red felt within a circle inscribed 'QUEENSLAND' and surmounted by Queen Victoria's crown which is joined to the badge by two laurel leaves extending from each side
The badge is a cross shape, surmounted by the Queen Victoria crown. The body of the badge is square with a circle inside the square. The centre of the circle is voided, but a large letter 'R' has been
C.1900. GROUP OF OFFICERS AND MEN FROM THE 2ND (QUEENSLAND MOUNTED INFANTRY) CONTINGENT TO THE BOER WAR. THE 2ND CONTINGENT LEFT QUEENSLAND ON THE 'MAORI KING' ON 1900-01-13, AND ARRIVED IN SOUTH AFRI
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA, 1900-10-25. SIGNED PORTRAIT OF FIELD MARSHAL FREDERICK SLEIGH ROBERTS (LATER LORD ROBERTS), WHO WAS COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF BRITISH FORCES IN SOUTH AFRICA, 1899-1900. THE 2ND (QU
Cross stitch patriotic needle holder in the pattern of the Union Jack flag. The reverse of the needle holder shows signs of use with several needle holes. Charles Cooke joined the Second Queensland
Queen's South Africa Medal with bars 'CAPE COLONY', 'DREIFONTEIN', 'JOHANNESBURG', 'DIAMOND HILL' and 'BELFAST'. Charles Cooke joined the Second Queensland Mounted Infantry Contingent when it was r
The button bears the raised cypher of Queen Victoria in the centre. The cypher is surrounded by a garter with 'QUEENSLAND' in raised lettering running around the top of the garter. The bottom of the g
The Letter 'G' above (detached) 'QMI' joined together. Charles Cooke joined the Second Queensland Mounted Infantry Contingent when it was raised for service in South Africa on 29 December, 1899. He
Two metal shell fragments and seven lead ball shot pieces. Shrapnel collected by Charles Cooke during his service in South Africa. Charles Cooke joined the Second Queensland Mounted Infantry Conting
A small silver shield shaped badge. The shield is an edged heraldic design that has an engraved border set 2 mm in from the edges. A broad arrow has been stamped at both the top and bottom of the shie
Queensland Military Forces brass slouch hat badge. The main body of the badge is circular with the inner ring containing a voided cross with a star in each arm and the outer ring containing in raised
Tobacco pouch is made from two pieces of cream coloured cotton that have been sewn around the sides and bottom to form a pouch. The mouth of the pouch has been folded internally and stitched to allow
Queen's South Africa Medal with bars 'CAPE COLONY', 'DREIFONTEIN', 'JOHANNESBURG', 'DIAMOND HILL' and 'BELFAST'. Charles Cooke joined the Second Queensland Mounted Infantry Contingent when it was r
The badge is a cross shape, surmounted by the Queen Victoria crown. The body of the badge is square with a circle inside the square. The centre of the circle is voided, but a large letter 'R' has been
The button bears the raised cypher of Queen Victoria in the centre. The cypher is surrounded by a garter with 'QUEENSLAND' in raised lettering running around the top of the garter. The bottom of the g
Cross stitch patriotic needle holder in the pattern of the Union Jack flag. The reverse of the needle holder shows signs of use with several needle holes. Charles Cooke joined the Second Queensland
Two metal shell fragments and seven lead ball shot pieces. Shrapnel collected by Charles Cooke during his service in South Africa. Charles Cooke joined the Second Queensland Mounted Infantry Conting
Tobacco pouch is made from two pieces of cream coloured cotton that have been sewn around the sides and bottom to form a pouch. The mouth of the pouch has been folded internally and stitched to allow
