AGY-2011 | Royal Commission (No 2) of Inquiry into Claims of Members of New South Wales Contingents in South Africa

Full description

Many 'officers and soldiers' who had served in the Boer War believed that they were eligible for higher payment than they received during their overseas service. By letters patent issued on 25 February, 1907 Ernest Henry Wilshire (a Stipendiary Magistrate for the City of Sydney and the Metropolitan Police District) was appointed Royal Commissioner to inquire whether the State and Federal Military authorities had paid the men in accordance with agreements. The Commissioner was granted unlimited power to call witnesses and to inspect records to assist with gathering the necessary information for his report, and was free to engage the necessary secretarial and other assistance. (1) He was requested to report on his findings to the Colonial Treasurer within two months. A second Commission was granted on 23 April, 1907 to extend the reporting period a further month in order to complete his report. (2)

The Commissioner received 373 claims in addition to the representatives of 28 deceased persons, fifty two absentees, 20 declarations from people outside New South Wales. 201 statutory declarations were made before Police Magistrates in the country.

Hearings commenced on 27 February, 1907 and continued for 32 sitting days. 273 claimants appeared before the Commissioner and witnesses made a total of 346 appearances. Claimants were classified as follows - "A" Battery, Mounted Infantry, Mounted Rifles, Army Medical Corps, Australian Horse, Lancers, "A" Battery Draft, Special Service officers, Special Service Officer's Servant, First Contingent, Citizens' Bushmen Contingent. While Commissioner summarised the claims and commented on the proof of entitlements, there appears to be no surviving list of his recommendations.

The Commission appears to have concluded with the submission of the report on 11 May, 1907.

FOOTNOTES:
(1) Commission to Ernest Henry Wilshire 25 February, 1907. Reproduced in NSW Parliamentary Papers, 1907, Volume 1 p. 129
(2) Second Commission to Ernest Henry Wilshire 25 April, 1907. In NSW Parliamentary Papers, 1907, Volume 1 p. 130.