McGann, Terence, 1900, Photograph, B 7438
South Australian Corps of the Australian Imperial Bushmen. The balance of the men served in the 5th and 6th Contingents. The 4th, 5th, and 6th Contingents left Adelaide for South Africa during 1900 and 1901. This photograph shows the men and mascot dogs before their departure for South Africa. The President of the South Australian Boer War Association has provided the following information: 'The fourth contingent to depart from Port Adelaide for South Africa and was the first to be funded wholly by the Imperial Government, previous contingents having been funded by the South Australian Government and public subscription. This photograph was taken at the Old Exhibition Grounds training camp on the eastern side of Frome Road, below the Adelaide Hospital, a day or two before embarkation. The 4th South Australian Imperial Bushmen was the largest contingent South Australia had committed to the war to that point, comprising 12 officers and 122 men under Lt. Col. James Rowell. They embarked on "Manhattan" troopship on 1 May 1900. In a tough tour of duty lasting more than a year the contingent lost 13 men dead to enemy action, disease and accident. The contingent sailed for home on 7 July 1901.'