According to Tylden:
Raised at Butterworth, Transkei, on 1st October, 1894, and originally 75 strong, with a mounted band. The establishment rose to 300 in 1899, and 200 in 1902, when a King’s colour was presented.
In 1909 became C Squadron Cape Light Horse, and in 1913 the 19th Mounted Rifles, which were disbanded in 1929.
The Commanding Officer for many years was Major St.-J. Henley.
The unit served in the Transkei Territories during the SA War of 1899 and in GSWA in 1915 in the southern area.
The original uniform was dark blue with white helmets facings and braid and the Martini-Henry rifle was carried; the breeches had a broad white stripe. In 1899 khaki with the slouch hat was adapted, and with the issue of the M.L.E., a MG section was started.
In 1902 the full dress was drab with silver rank badges and a khaki helmet with a bird's-eye pagri. The badge was crossed rifles in a circle with "1900 T.M.R." and "Defence not Defiance.”
In December 1899, they had a strength of 125 according the Creswicke (Volume II, Chapter 5).
The glorious work done by Cape Colony in aid of the Empire may be appreciated in viewing the following figures, which show that nearly 6000 South African volunteers were called out for service during the month of December : —
Prince Alfred's Own Artillery, Cape Town, 120; Cape Garrison Artillery, Cape Town, 450; Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles, Cape Town, 1000; Cape Town Highlanders, Cape Town, 500; Prince Alfred's Guard, Port Elizabeth, 600 ; Uitenhage Rifles, Uitenhage, 200 ; Kaffrarian Rifles, East London, 400 ; 1st City Volunteers, Grahamstown, 500; Queenstown Rifle Volunteers, Queenstown, 300 ; Kimberley Regiment, Kimberley, 650 ; Diamond Fields Artillery, Kimberley, 120; Frontier Mounted Rifles, Cathcart, 200; Komgha Mounted Rifles, Komgha, 100; Transkei Mounted Rifles, Butterworth, 125; Xalanga Border Mounted Rifle Club, 72 ; Tembuland Mounted Rifle Club, 52 ; Engcobo Mounted Rifle Club, 47; Cape Medical Staff Corps, 200:—total, 5636.
See the forum posts on the Transkei Mounted Rifles