1st Australian Horse, Trooper No. 1090
1st Battalion Australian Commonwealth Horse (NSW), Trooper No.201
Born MacLean, Clarence River 18 November 1871.
On 17 August 1893, at the age of 22, he joined the NSW Police Service as Harry David See, Probationary Constable No. 6620. In this instance his previous calling was listed as a Shipping Clerk.
He sailed with the 2nd Contingent of the 1st Australian Horse arriving in reached Cape Town on 23 February.
After his return from South Africa on 8 January 1901 he received the Queen’s Medal with three clasps from the Duke of York at Government House, Sydney on 1 June 1901. He then returned to his previous career as a Police Constable in the Western District.
He resigned from the NSW Police Service on 16 January 1902 and re-enlisted with the 1st Australian Commonwealth Horse as No. 201 as Harry D.See. He was then aged 29 living at Erskine St Dubbo as was his Next of Kin, Father David See of MacLean, Clarence River. Previous service of 12 months with 2nd Contingent recorded on his Attestation papers at that time.
Subsequently The Sydney Morning Herald 17 October 1933 reported the death of Harry David See as follows:
“Mr. Harry David See, who died at Newcastle recently, aged 62 years, was a son of the late Mr. David See, one of the pioneer graziers of MacLean, and a nephew of the late Sir John See, a former Premier of New South Wales.
Mr. See served in the Boer War, and in one engagement made a gallant rescue of his close friend, Keith Mackellar, son of Sir Charles MacKellar.
Young MacKellar was badly wounded, and Mr. See carried him on his back to safety under a heavy fire. After the war Mr. See remained in South Africa. He spent some years in the Kimberley diamond mines, and was later explosives expert at De Beers works. In that position he invented a successful explosives mixing machine. After leaving South Africa Mr. See spent some time in France, the United States, and the South Seas. He returned to Australia and managed station properties before making his home at Newcastle. Mrs. See, a daughter, and two sons survive him.”
Harry See’s connection with Bungendore remains unclear however it is suspected that he must have been posted as a Policeman to the area on his initial return from South Africa in 1901.
The Queanbeyan Observer of 8 June 1900 listed him as a resident of the Bungendore District serving in South Africa. Later on 4 June The Observer reported him as having received his war service medals at Government House in Sydney as a member of the 1st Australian Horse.
See also: BUNGENDORE & DISTRICT WAR MEMORIAL SOUTH AFRICAN (BOER) WAR 1899-1902 ROLL OF HONOUR ISBN: 978-0-646-55612-3 Peter John Hugonnet 2011