Private Matthew Devine Brady of Brassall was one of “The Ipswich Volunteers” of October 1899. This local contingent of 11 men included Sergeant Loynes, Sergeant Paten, Private Michael Egan, Private Daniel Pope, Private George Seymour, Private George Tomlinson, Private Hermann of Lowood. They belonged to the 1st Queensland Mounted Infantry which then became part of the 1st contingent, enrolled for Special Service in South Africa. Five contingents were eventually deployed to the Transvaal. Until 1901 these contingents were separate colonial forces. After Federation a Commonwealth contingent was assembled.
The Second Boer War had commenced on the 11th October 1899 as the Boers feared Britain’s imperial intentions. By extension, as a member of the British Empire, Australia assumed some involvement in the conflict. At this time, just prior to Federation, Australians considered themselves loyal British subjects willing to fight for Queen and Empire. Of course much of the population had migrated from the British Isles.
Believed to be group of soldiers from Boer War, ca 1900. Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich
Matthew was already a husband and father when he volunteered to go to South Africa. He had married Mary Alice Taylor/Edwards on 25 July 1884. The following March Lauret was born but tragically died when only a few months old. Olive Ethel was born in 1886 and daughter Ivy in 1895.
In 1896 Matthew’s occupation was stated to be “timber getter”. At this time he was declared insolvent. Some years later in 1903 he would apply for a certificate of discharge in the Supreme Court in Brisbane.
It is difficult to know Brady’s reasons for enlisting but he volunteered in October 1899 and was off to the 2nd Boer War in a very short amount of time.
As with the First World War, still 15 years away, men who volunteered to defend the British Empire were viewed as gallant, selfless & courageous.
A rousing public farewell was held at the Caledonian Hotel in Bell Street on Thursday 26 October for “The Ipswich volunteers”.
Caledonian Hotel, 9 Bell Street, Ipswich, 1991. Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich
Citizens of Ipswich, Mayor Thomas Baines and members of the Ipswich Rifle Club and Mounted Infantry attended the reception which was quite a formal occasion demonstrating the general approval of those present and probably the sentiment of most townspeople. There was a good deal of singing including the National Anthem and Rule Britannia. Patriotic speeches were made. Toasts were proposed to Queen Victoria. Presentations were made. Sergeant Major Loynes of the Ipswich Rifle Club was the recipient of an inscribed and silver mounted riding whip. His wife received an open order to the value of 5 pounds (a considerable sum in those days. Ipswich Constable – turned-volunteer Private Pope also received a whip while Private Seymour received a silver & gold medal. Private Brady’s riding and horsemanship at camp were extravagantly praised in a speech by one of the men. Eventually some of the party accompanied the contingent to Ipswich Railway Station to see them on their way. The first leg of their journey was to Meeandah Camp in Brisbane and eventually onto the troopship Cornwall.
Volunteering to fight for the Empire was so significant and held in such high regard that a public holiday was observed in Ipswich on the Tuesday of the troop’s departure.
In less than one year, Private Brady would be back on Australian soil with his Boer War adventure behind him. Apparently his knowledge of bushcraft and horse skills were extremely useful in the conflict. Life as a soldier in South Africa during the Second Boer War was rough. He fought in the offensives at Sunnyside, the Relief of Douglas, & Kimberley.
Matthew was a lucky survivor. At Bloemfontein a Mauser bullet entered his cartridge pouch and lodged there, and his mount was shot from under him. The bullet would become a souvenir of his war experience and many years later in 2017 would find its way to auction with other personal items from his South African campaign.
Enteric fever (typhoid) appears to have ended his South African campaign.
He was invalided back to Australia on board SS Damascus, arriving in Brisbane on 1 September 1900 and discharged within days to resume his old life.
Arriving in Brassall he was welcomed home with a party on Wednesday 5 September 1900 where the returned soldier received a silver watch from residents.
Private M.D. Brady also received a letter from the citizens of Ipswich & signed by Mayor Michael Real in 1901, acknowledging his contribution.
Michael Real, Mayor, 1901, Ipswich, n.d. Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich
Following his return from the Boer War, Matthew Devine worked as a horsebreaker for decades. Whether for economic reasons or something else the Bradys moved often around the inner city, living in Murphys Lane; Clay, Keogh, Eastwood, Cribb & Pine Streets.
Matthew died in 1938. His funeral was held at St Mary’s Catholic Church and he is buried in Ipswich Cemetery.
Interestingly, “The Ipswich Volunteers” were not the only locals to contribute to the war effort on behalf of the British Empire. Queensland Woollen Manufacturing Company located on The Terrace at North Ipswich produced 300 great coats for the Queensland contingent while two Nicholas Street businesses: J.&C. Fleischmann and Mr E. Hemsworth crafted saddles for the troops (18 and 15 respectively).
Matthew Devine Brady’s story is part of the rich history of Ipswich and its people.
A Soldier in Boer War military uniform, Ipswich, ca 1900. Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich