This contingent, 2 squadrons, 260 all ranks, was commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel Watchorn, VD, with Captains T A Spencer and C Henderson. They
sailed from Hobart on 27th March 1901, and landed at Port Elizabeth on 21st
April. Soon after landing the corps was in a sharp fight with
Scheepers at Ganna Hoek, in Cape Colony, where Trooper Wharbeston, was
killed. Trooper Brownell distinguished himself in this affair, and
afterwards received a commission in the regular army. On 19th May the
corps joined Scobell's column, one of the most successful. On 1st June
they were put under Colonel Gorringe, whose force was formed into a 'flying
column' without wheeled transport (see Cape Police).
On 13th February 1902 Colonel Doran took over the column, and the contingent
served with him till 4th May. On 18th February they suffered several
casualties.
The strain on men and horses was very great; but the column did most
excellent work, and was frequently complimented by General French and Lord
Kitchener. The various leaders under whom they served commended the
contingent for their fearlessness, horse-mastership, and cheerful endurance
of the greatest hardship. On 13th August 1901 Sergeant-Major Young of
the Cape Police, along with Quartermaster-Sergeant Lyne, Sergeant Cooinbes,
and 8 other Tasmanians, charged a kopje where the enemy were strongly
entrenched and captured Commandant Erasmus (see
Mentions). Young got the VC for this affair. The contingent
were at various times successful in capturing several influential Boer
leaders. For twelve months their work went on absolutely without
cessation, long marches often being undertaken by night, followed by actions
with the commandos of Kritzinger, Scheepers, Myberg, and others. The
whole of the war service of the contingent was done in Cape Colony.
They sailed for home on 22nd May 1901, and as they arrived at Hobart on 17th
June after peace had been declared, they landed amidst the greatest
enthusiasm.
