| CAMDEN DISTRICT ROLL OF HONOUR | |
| CAMDEN REMEMBERS SUDAN 1885-1885 |
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| Sudan, 1885-1885 Australia's involvement in the Sudan conflict was short lived. By the time the New South Wales Sudan Contingent landed at Suakin, Sudan's port in the Red Sea on 29 March 1885 the war was almost over. In the early 1880s the British backed Egyptian regime in the Sudan was threatened by an indigenous rebellion under the leadership of Muhammed Ahmed, known to his followers as the Mahdi. With news of the death in late January 1885 of the heroic English General Charles Gordon whose exploits were well known throughout the British Empire, the NSW government cabled London with an offer of troops which London accepted but stipulated that the contingent would be under British command. The British government's acceptance of the contingent was received with enthusiasm by the NSW government and members of the armed forces, it was seen as a historic occasion, marking the first time that soldiers in the pay of a self governing Australian colony were to fight in an imperial war.
The Australian troops saw very little action in the seven weeks before the British government decided to abandon the campaign and left only a garrison in Suakin. The troops sailed for home on 17 May and arrived in Sydney on 19 June 1885. It was generally agreed at the time that, no matter how small the military significance of the Australian contribution to the adventure, it marked an important stage in the development of colonial self-confidence and was proof of the enduring link with Britain. (This summary was referenced from, and photo courtesy of the Australian War Memorial whose Roll of Honour lists nine casualties from the conflict.) The following three soldiers who served were from the Camden area. CORNWELL, William Charles (Corporal 941) Birth: 10 Feb 1857 in Camden NSW, Australia Enlisted: 13 Nov 1882 Occupation: Butcher Embarkation: 3 Mar 1885 in Sydney NSW Return: SS Arab 23 Jun 1885 in Sydney NSW Death: 1934 in Newtown NSW (age 77) Unit: Artillery Colonial Military Forces (NSW Contingent) Parents: George CORNWELL and Elizabeth BELL Spouse: Margaret ROSE Marriage: 1889 in Sydney NSW Children: Mary Adelaide CORNWELL (1889-1979) Elizabeth I CORNWELL (1891-1900) James Wellington Stanley CORNWELL (1893-6 Jun 1978) FIDDEN, Charles William (Private 330) Birth: 6 Sep 1864 in Elderslie NSW Australia Enlisted: 20 Feb 1885 in Sydney NSW Occupation: Printer Residence: 420 Riley Street Sydney NSW Embarkation: SS Iberia 3 Mar 1885 in Sydney NSW Return: SS Arab 23 Jun 1885 in Sydney NSW Death: 3 Dec 1911 in Waterloo NSW (age 47) Unit: A Company Infantry Colonial Military Forces (NSW Contingent) Parents: James Joseph FIDDEN and Mary HILDER Spouse: Olive Matilda THOMPSON Marriage: 1905 in Newtown NSW Children: Harold William FIDDEN (1906-1964) Note: Charles also served in the Boer War 1899-1902 HILDER, Henry (Bombardier 898) Birth: 17 Dec 1864 in Camden Park NSW, Australia Enlisted: 11 Aug 1882 Occupation: Labourer Embarkation: 3 Mar 1885 in Sydney NSW Return: SS Arab 23 Jun 1885 in Sydney NSW Death: 1935 in Summer Hill NSW (age 71) Unit: Artillery Colonial Military Forces (NSW Contingent) Parents: John HILDER and Elizabeth DUNK Spouse: Caroline Harriet BARNES Marriage: 1891 in Leichardt NSW Children: Harry L HILDER (1892-1926) Lucy Rosina Grace HILDER (1898-1966) ONSLOW Harry Hamilton (Corporal 474) Birth: 1858 London, England Enlisted: 23 Feb 1885 age 26 years Occupation: Surveyor's Assistant Embarkation: 3 Mar1885 SS Iberia Return: SS Arab 23 June1885 Returned from Camel Corp 10 May 1885 Death: 1899 Unit: Colonial Military Forces - B Company Part of NSW Contingent to Sudan 1885. Parents: Charles Hamilton ONSLOW and Mary DOuglas Note: Harry Onslow was living at Camden Park for a period in late 1800s |
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