RUDHALL, Benjamin
| Service Numbers: | 76, 604 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen |
| Born: | Aston, Warwickshire, England, 11 February 1854 |
| Home Town: | Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Stamper |
| Died: | Gun Shot To Head, Amersfoort, South Africa, Amersfoort, Mpumalanga, South Africa, 3 February 1902, aged 47 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Anzac Square Boer War Memorial, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 76, 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Mar 1900: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 76, 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry, Ship "Duke of Portland" | |
| 1 Jan 1901: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 604, 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen | |
| 21 Aug 1901: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 604, 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, Ship: Britannic from Sydney | |
| 3 Feb 1902: | Involvement Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 604, 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen |
Help us honour Benjamin Rudhall's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Sharyn Roberts
Benjamin was born as Barnett RUDHALL on 11th February, 1854 at 50 Lister Street, Aston, Warwickshire, England
His parents were Thomas RUDHALL and Lucy SHAW
He married Annie SMITH on 3rd December 1883 in Birchfield Holy Trinity, Staffordshire UK and then migrated to Australia - Annie died of TB on 23rd September 1902 , she is buried in Towong Cemetery, Brisbane
Before he married ,Benjamin served in the 2nd Dragoons according to his Chelsea Pensioners discharge documents as Private no 1406. He served 10 & a half years in the British Army, joining in 1872 and discharged by purchase on 30th December 1882.
After he emigrated to Australia with his wife Annie he worked for some time as a warder on St Helena Island but had to resign when his wife suffered extended ill health. TB would claim her in the end, just seven months after Ben was captured by the Boers near Amersfoort and executed along with Trooper Flint.
In Queensland he served in the 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry (SN76) which embarked on the Duke of Portland on 2nd Mary, 1900. He returned from active duty with the 3rd contingent in 1901 aboard the ship Morayshire.
He re-enlisted with the 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmens Contingent (First draft) The 6th Contingent left Brisbane by rail on 18th August for Sydney and embarked in Sydney on the Britannic on the 20th August 1901- they arrived in Capetown on the 22nd September 1901.
Private Rudhall and fellow soldier Trooper Flint were captured by the Boers on 3rd February 1902 following an attempt to capture a Boer convoy near Amersfoort. They had become separated from the rest of the contingent and were ambushed. Benjamin was killed on 3rd February, 1902 at Amersfoort, South Africa - he is buried in Amersfoort Old Cemetery
------------------------------------------
Details of his service in War
2nd Dragoons (UK Regiment) served 10 years with British Army from 1872
April 1900 to 1901 with 3rd Queensland Mounted Infantry in Rhodesia, West Transvaal including relief of Mafikeng (16-17 May 1900, defeat at Koster River (22nd July 1900) and defence of Elands River Post (4-16 August 1900) and in northern Transvaal incl. battle of Rhenoster Kop (29th November 1900) and advance on Peitersburg.
With the 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen - from October 1901 in east Transvaal near the Natal border. He was killed in action whilst on a Boer capture drive at Amersfoort south of Ermelo and 40 km east of Staderton in the eastern Transvaal on 3rd February 1902
-----------------------------------------------
HONOURS
Queens South Africa Medal with 4 clasps (Rhodesia, Transvaal, Relief of Mafeking, Natal,) SA 1901 and SA 1902
MEMORIALS
King George Square, Brisbane
Brisbane Boer War Memorial, Anzac Square
Australian War Memorial
Click images to start slideshow.