This corps, about 360 strong, was almost wholly recruited from
half-castes. In the words of a British officer who, although not
belonging to them, saw much of their work, "they were an excellent force,
which did a great deal of hard patrol work under Colonel White, and had
several stiff brushes with the enemy. They were conspicuous for
consistently refusing to surrender when surrounded, as patrols were at
times. They would keep up a fight till dark, and although half of them
were killed the survivors of the party would escape. They made
wonderful marches without water in their desert country". The work of
the regiment was very similar to that of the Border Scouts. The corps
was employed in their own district in 1901 and 1902, and had the good
fortune to be part of the garrison of Ookiep when that town was besieged in
April 1902. The force which held the town made a most excellent
defence, and were complimented by Lord Kitchener. Lieutenant Watkinson was
wounded at Ookiep on 13th April.
In March 1902 a detachment at Garies had fighting on various occasions.
Lieutenant Darter was killed on the 18th and Squadron Quartermaster Bidmead
on the following day.
The Mentions gained were as follows:—
LORD KITCHENER'S DESPATCH: 23rd June 1902.—Captain H G Maddison;
Lieutenant Rich; Sergeant G Muller; Quartermaster Sergeant L S Panizza;
Private B Links.
