BERRY, Robert Edwin
| Service Number: | 452 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 January 1901, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen |
| Born: | Sherwood, Queensland, Australia , 23 December 1878 |
| Home Town: | Sherwood, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Soldier |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Onverwacht, South Africa, Onverwacht, Limpopo, South Africa, 4 January 1902, aged 23 years |
| Cemetery: |
Ermelo Cemetery, South Africa He is buried alongside the other fallen in Ermelo Cemetery - there is also a memorial at the site of the battle |
| Memorials: | Anzac Square Boer War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane Grammar School Boer War Honour Board, Corinda Sergeant Robert Berry & Acting Corporal John McFarlane Memorial Plaque, Sherwood Boer War Memorial |
Boer War Service
| 1 Jan 1901: | Enlisted Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 452, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Feb 1901: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 452, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, SS Templemore, Brisbane | |
| 4 Jan 1902: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Sergeant, 452, 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Battle of Onverwacht |
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Robert Edwin Berry was born on 23 December, 1878, in a town called Sherwood, just south of Brisbane. He, along with his two brothers, fought during the Boer War.
At the age of 23 he enlisted at Brisbane, joining the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen. He sailed on board the transport “Templemore” on 6 March, 1901, arriving in Capetown on the 31st. After travelling through Pietersburg, Robert Edwin Berry’s unit had their first brush with the enemy on 26 April, 1901.
The 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen continued their march, travelling through Pretoria and Bloemfontein. On 27 September, the unit had a severe loss of men at Mokari Drift.
On 4 January 1902, the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, along with a British column, stopped at a ridge overlooking the Onverwacht. Major John Vallentin, of the Somerset Light Infantry, was in command. The group had settled down for a meal when a group of Boers was spotted. It was decided to investigate and the convoy, including the Queenslanders, chased. Suddenly, from the right flank a group of 700 Boers attacked.
The 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen opened fire with a pom-pom, a type of machine gun; however it jammed after firing only five shots. Major Vallentin was shot in the head, dying from his wounds. Major F Toll of the Queensland contingent formed a defensive line, however the Queenslanders were pushed back. The Boers surrounded the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, killing 17 of the men.
Fortunately, the British column arrived at the ridge and opened fire with artillery. The Boers scattered and were chased by Victorian troops. In total, the British troops lost 23 men, 13 of which were Queenslanders.
Sergeant Robert Edwin Berry died on 4 January, 1902, and was buried in Ermelo Cemetery. A monument to Sergeant Berry and his close friend, Corporal John MacFarlane, was erected at the Sherwood Anglican Church in Sherwood. A memorial to all who died in the battle of Onverwacht stands on a ridge overlooking the battle site.
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