Robert McGregor
Robert McGregor was 22 years and 5 months old in 1902 when he left the family farm at Lindenow to sign up for the 6th Battalion of the Australian Commonwealth Horse for Service in South Africa. Australia had become a Federation a year earlier and the Prime Minister, Edmund Barton had committed to providing troops to the continuing conflict in South Africa following a request by the British Government. East Gippsland was in the middle of a drought at the time and the Government encouraged young men who were experienced in riding and shooting and who worked with their hands. At a time where unemployment was high, the war provided an opportunity for many young men to apply for active service. But for many, the Boer War was nothing like they expected. Robert officially joined on April 26, 1902. The 6th Battalion was part of the third and final contingent to depart Australia and, by the time the ships carrying the 2,000 soldiers arrived in South Africa, the war had ended with the sol...