South African units

At the start of the Boer War this unit was commanded by Major J F Rethman, was 286 men strong and was based in Ladysmith and Acton Homes.

On 12th October war was declared, the enemy entered Natal, and their movements were reported by the Carbineers. When Major Taunton reported the enemy's movement, the Intelligence Department discredited this, and he had to send a patrol to locate, or rather look into, the hostile laager. On the 17th, No. 1 squadron of the Border M.R., under Captain Royston, was fired on at the foot of the Tintwa Pass; and on the same night Captain Wales, Volunteer Staff, with a troop of Natal M.R., set out to patrol the Waschbank Valley, passing through several parties of Boers and covering 126 miles in forty-eight hours. On the 18th Sir George White asked the Natal M.R. for a bodyguard of 24 non-commissioned officers and men; Captain F. S. Tatham of the Carbineers was chosen as commander. On this date the enemy advanced in force, and the Border M.R. from Acton Homes and the Carbineers from Van Reenen's and other passes had, according to the GOC's orders, to retire nearer to Ladysmith. On the 20th the Umvoti men reported heavy firing at Dundee. This was, of course, the severe engagement fought by General Penn-Symons in order to drive the enemy off Talana Hill, which commanded his camp. It will be remembered that the general was mortally wounded. His successor, Brigadier-General Yule, finding that he was being threatened by very superior forces, started at 9 pm on the 22nd to withdraw his force to Ladysmith. Colonel Dartnell, chief commissioner of the Natal Police, was on the staff of General Penn-Symons at Talana Hill, and was beside the general when he fell. Two of the police acting as orderlies to Colonel Dartnell were wounded in the engagement. On the 20th No. 4 squadron of the Carbineers captured four Boer scouts.

In his despatch of 2nd December 1899 Sir George White mentions that the Natal Mounted Volunteers were with him at Rietfontein on 24th October (see Imperial Light Horse). After the engagement was well developed "the Natal Mounted Volunteers, who had been with the Cavalry, had been recalled, and as the enemy showed some disposition to work round my left flank as if to cut me off from Ladysmith, I sent this force under Colonel Royston to work round the Boer right and cover my left flank, a movement which was most successfully performed." In a report to the Chief-of-Staff Colonel Royston drew attention to the gallant manner in which Major Taunton, Natal Carbineers, afterwards killed, and Major Sangmeister, Border Mounted Rifles, seized a kopje under heavy fire, and bringing a maxim gun into action speedily cleared out the enemy. Also, on the same date, to the gallant behaviour, and devotion to the wounded, under a heavy fire, of Captains Platt and Buntine of the Volunteer Medical Staff. Colonel Royston also detailed gallant acts on the part of Troopers Seed (Police) and C. E. J. Miller, D. A. Shaw, and Rowland Watts (Carbineers). The gun team alluded to lost 2 killed; the other casualties among the volunteers were - Border M.R. 9 wounded, Carbineers 2 killed, 10 wounded, and Natal M.R. 3 wounded.

On the 25th Colonel Royston took out the whole of the Mounted Volunteers to assist Yule, whose force was found eighteen miles out. The roads were beyond description, and the rear of the column had to wade, often beyond their knees, in liquid mud. On the 26th, Yule's column entered Ladysmith. On the 27th and two following days most of the Mounted Volunteers were out, and found the enemy gathering in great strength beyond Lombard's Kop. In describing the battle of Lombard's Kop, 30th October 1899, Sir George said that 200 Natal Mounted Volunteers were sent out on the evening of the 29th to hold Lombard's Kop and Bulwana Mountain; and the remainder of the Mounted Volunteers, with the 5th Lancers and 19th Hussars, moved out with 'General French at 3 am on the 30th to endeavour to cover the right flank in the main action. The Natal Field Battery formed part of Grimwood's force on the right of the infantry line. It will be remembered that General French could not get much beyond the Pass between Lombard's Kop and Bulwana; while Grimwood's Brigade was heavily pressed on its right, and the whole force had ultimately to retire on Ladysmith. In the same despatch, speaking of Colonel W. Royston, Sir George said "The services which Colonel Royston and the forces under his command have rendered to the State and Colony have been of the very highest value. In him I have found a bold and successful leader, and an adviser whose experience of the Colony and of the enemy has been of great value to me. Employed on arduous duty from the commencement of the campaign, in touch with the enemy, I have found him prompt and ready for every emergency; he and his force reflect the greatest credit on the colony of Natal."

When the siege commenced the following were part of the garrison:

	Volunteer Staff, including Medical and Veterinary	11
	Natal Carbineers	390
	Border Mounted Rifles	260
	Natal Mounted Rifles	200
	Natal Naval Volunteers	65
	Hotchkiss Detachment	20
	Natal Police	40
		986

These formed the Volunteer Brigade under Colonel Royston, with Lieutenant Colonel H. T. Bru-de-Wold as Chief Staff Officer. The Naval volunteers were generally split up throughout the siege, part being on Caesar's Camp and part at Gordon Post. Between 1st November and the end of February the Natal Mounted Volunteers were frequently engaged. On 2nd November they were, with other troops, out reconnoitering; on the 3rd they were sent to cover the retirement of another force. On this occasion the Carbineers had Major Taunton and Sergeant Mapston killed, and the Border M.R. lost Captain Arnott and 11 men wounded. Section D of the defences of Ladysmith was placed under Colonel Royston. This included the thorn country north of Caesar's Camp and the Klip River Flats. Colonel Royston lost no time in building sangars and digging trenches, and soon had his section greatly strengthened. On 9th November the enemy attacked, firing 800 shells into the town; but their attack was driven off. On the 14th the Volunteers were out with Major-General Brocklehurst, and, along with the Imperial Light Horse, seized Star Hill; but it was not held permanently. When Sir Archibald Hunter made his deservedly famous sortie on 7th December to destroy the Boer guns on Gun Hill, his force consisted of 500 Natal Mounted Volunteers under Colonel Royston, 100 Imperial Light Horse (see that regiment), and a few Royal Engineers, artillerymen, and guides. The storming-parties were 100 Carbineers, Major Addison, and 100 ILH, Lieutenant Colonel Edwards. Two big guns were destroyed and one maxim brought back. Colonel Royston was among those specially mentioned in the body of the despatch. Sir George White had the ILH and Volunteers paraded on the following day, and, addressing them, said " that he did not wish to use inflated or exaggerated language, but the men of Sir Archibald Hunter's party were a credit, not only to the colony, but to the Empire. There was a lot of severe fighting to do, but it was a gratification to a General to have the help of such men."

The town and camps were during the siege constantly under shell-fire, and on 18th December one 6-inch shell bursting in the camp of the Carbineers killed 4 men, wounded 6 men, and destroyed 10 horses. The times were trying, but hard digging, sangar building, and brigade sports kept the men fairly fit. In the repulse of the great attack of 6th January 1900 the volunteers took a prominent part. The following is the report furnished by Colonel Royston to the Chief of the Staff : "I have to report that on Saturday, 6th inst., at about 4.15 am, I received information by telephone from headquarters that the enemy were making an attack on Wagon Hill. I at once despatched 80 men of the Natal MR, under Major Evans, to strengthen the outposts on the Flats, then held by 1 officer and 40 men Natal Police, attached to Volunteers, and 1 officer and 20 men Natal Carbineers. The Town Guard was also directed to stand fast at its post on the left bank of the Klip River. As it had been intimated that a battery of artillery would be placed at my disposal, I directed two squadrons Border MR, with one maxim, to accompany the guns. Major Abadie, at about 5.40 am, reported his guns in position near the point where the road to Caesar's Camp crosses the town rifle-range. On my arrival at the outpost line, at 5 am, the enemy were occupying the extreme south-eastern point of Caesar's Hill, well under cover amongst the rocks and bushes. About 50 men were visible from the Flats, but more appeared to be pushing on from the west in small parties. These men were being fired on from the thorn trees and from sangars below by my men as soon as they appeared in sight. A few minutes after my arrival the enemy advanced north along the top of the hill, firing at a party of 'Gordons' near a sangar about 500 yards to their front. I requested the officer commanding the battery to open fire, which he did with good effect, stopping the enemy's advance, and driving them into the rocks. As there appeared to be only a small party of the 'Gordons' opposed to the enemy at this spot, as far as I could see from below, I directed a squadron of Border MR, under Lieutenant Royston, to climb the hill and go to their assistance dismounted. This would be about 6 am. On my men joining the Gordons the party advanced towards the enemy in the rocks, but were at first driven back by their heavy fire, and the enemy again advanced. The battery again opened fire, and the 'Gordons' and the Border MR again advancing, drove the enemy over the point of the hill, and they never again mounted to the crest. At mid-day the enemy had retired about half way down the southern slope of the hill, but still kept up a heavy fire. Unfortunately, it was impossible to get at these with artillery fire from where the battery was limbered, owing to the danger of hitting our own people on the crest of the hill, and the officer commanding the battery did not consider it advisable, owing to the rough ground to cross, and to exposure to Bulwana, to advance any of his guns as far as our outpost line, from which point the enemy could be reached. Rifle-fire was kept up until the enemy finally got into the bed of the Fourie Spruit, where he could only be reached from the top of Caesar's Hill. A heavy fire was kept up until dark, when it gradually ceased, and the enemy appeared to be retiring up the Fourie Spruit. My casualties were 4 men killed and 2 officers and 10 men wounded. I wish to bring to notice the gallant manner in which the battery of artillery, under Major Abadie, stuck to its ground under the very heavy fire from the 6 inch gun and another long range gun on Umbulwana, and also the excellent practice made by the battery. I also consider that Lieutenant Royston, Border MR, did good service with his men. The behaviour of Captain Platt and Lieutenant Hornabrook, Vol. Med. Corps, in attending to the wounded throughout the day under heavy fire, deserves special mention; the last-named officer was wounded, besides having his clothes pierced by a bullet."

When Dundonald rode into Ladysmith on the evening of 28th February, he was accompanied by some Carbineers, Natal Mounted Rifles, Border Mounted Rifles, and Natal Police, the officers being Major D. M'Kenzie, Lieutenants Silburn, M'Kay Verney, Richards, Ashburnham, and Abraham. None of those present will ever forget this ride, probably the most memorable occasion in the lives of any of them.

After the relief of Ladysmith the Volunteer Brigade was allowed some time to recuperate, and was reorganised. On 3rd April 1900 it consisted of the Natal Carbineers, Natal Mounted Rifles, and Border Mounted Rifles, temporarily under Lieutenant-Colonel Bru-de-Wold. On the 8th Colonel Dartnell was appointed to command the whole of the Natal Volunteers and Police with the rank of Brigadier-General.

In General Buller's movement which commenced on 7th May for turning the Boers out of the Biggarsberg, and so clear Natal, the Volunteers were in the 3rd Mounted Brigade (see South African Light Horse). The Brigade was engaged almost daily between 10th and 19th May. Colonel Bethune co-operated from Greytown, and joined General Buller on 13th May (see Bethune's Mounted Infantry). Bethune's force was composed of 5 squadrons of his own regiment, 1 squadron Umvoti Mounted Rifles, two 12-pounder guns worked by men of the Royal Garrison Artillery, two 7-pounder guns, Natal Field Artillery, 2 Hotchkiss manned by the same corps, and 6 companies of the Imperial Light Infantry, a corps which was raised in the Colony. For seven months this force, or portions of it, had done good work in protecting the north-east of Natal from invasion or raids. On 19th May the Durban Light Infantry and Natal Royal Rifles were ordered to garrison Dundee. When Laing's Nek was turned by General Buller (see South African Light Horse), the Natal Mounted Volunteers were the advanced-guard of General Clery's force, which crossed the Nek itself on 12th June. Dundonald's Brigade had been split up, and the South African Light Horse were part of the turning force.

On 21st September 1900 authority had been obtained from Lord Roberts to raise among the Natal Volunteers a composite regiment of 300 mounted men to take over the duties hitherto performed by the Volunteer Brigade, and thus facilitate the return of the remainder of the Brigade to their daily avocations. The Volunteer Composite Regiment was made up as follows:

		Officers	Men
	Natal Carbineers	6	125
	Natal Mounted Rifles	5	32
	Umvoti Mounted Rifles	1	13
	Border Mounted Rifles	3	48
	Natal Field Artillery	-	19
	Natal Royal Rifles	-	8
	Durban Light Infantry	-	39
	Hotchkiss Gun Detachment	-	6
	Volunteer Medical Corps	1	4
		16	294

 

23rd March 1900: Colonel W. Royston, commanding Natal Vol. Force, and in charge of Section D of defence. I can only repeat the high praise which I had the pleasure to bestow on him in my despatch of 2nd December. He commanded Section D in an admirable manner, and with his force, though much reduced in numbers by casualties and disease, continued to the end to perform invaluable service. He is an officer exceptionally suited to his important position aka commandant of the Natal Vol Forces, and I trust he may receive some equitable reward. Colonel Royston's gallant behaviour at Gun Hill, 1st December, was noticed in body of despatch. (To the regret of the Colony, Colonel Royston succumbed to illness after the relief.) Colonel Dartnell possesses an exceptional knowledge of the Colony and of native character. I am greatly obliged to him for the advice and assistance which he has always been ready to afford me, of which I have availed myself freely, and which I have found of the highest value. Captain F. S. Tatham, Mounted Rifles; Lieutenant Colonel E. M. Greene, Carbineers ; Majors R. W. Evans, Natal M.R.; F. J. Rethman, Border M.R.;

 

In 1888 a general amalgamation of the four then-existing coast mounted regiments of Natal took place. Those units were the Alexandra Mounted Rifles, based on Umzinto, the Umzimkulu Mounted Rifles, based on Port Shepstone, the Victoria Mounted Rifles, based on Verulam, and the Durban Mounted Rifles, based on Durban. The combination formed was given the name of Natal Mounted Rifles, with head' quarters in Durban, and was worked in two wings, the right wing being the two former regiments from and including Durban northwards, and the left wing from Durban southwards.

Difficulties in control and administration, resulting from unwieldiness due to the very large and mostly undeveloped area covered by the regiment, led, in 1894, to the division of the unit into two separate regimental One wing, the former Victoria and Durban Mounted Rifles, retained the name Natal Mounted Rifles, and the other wing adopted the name Border Mounted Rifles, with headquarters at Ixopo.

The regiment was organised in troops, each taking the name of the district in which it recruited. In 1898 the troops were formed into three squadrons, each of two troops, each squadron commanded by a Captain.

The recruiting area of the Border Mounted Rifles was the coast of Natal south of Isipingo, the western border marching with Pondoland, East Griqualand and Pietermaritzburg County.

The first commanding officer was Major H. T. Bru deWold, of Port Shepstone, formerly second-in-command of the Natal Mounted Rifles. He was succeeded by Major J. F. Rethman, who was followed by Lieut.-Colonel William Arnott, who afterwards commanded the 3rd Mounted Rifles (N.M.R.) and was later Brigadier-General.

When the Border Mounted Rifles hived off from the Natal Mounted Rifles they retained the uniform of the latter—blue doth with white facing, blue cloth helmet with white metal chain-on-leather chin-strap, mushroom and spike on top and monogram device of B.M.R. in front. The unit had no badge or shoulder letters, and had no service uniform until the adoption, in 1897, by all the Natal mounted regiments of the universal khaki and smasher hat, with left brim turned up and carrying the monogram device, above referred to, backed by a square of green doth, not then styled a flash, the colour adopted by the unit for its facings. Brown field boots were worn by officers and black by other ranks. A khaki doth kepi cap, edged with green was worn in evening dress, together with overalls likewise faced with green. The mess dress for officers was navy doth with green facings and white metal buttons and badges. On the field service dress green piping ran down the outer seam of the breeches and overalls, also adorned the collar and cuffs of the jacket, green shoulder straps carrying the block letters B.M.R. in white metal, completed the outfit.

The unit adopted no war cry, and up to the early part of 1899 had adopted no badge. But, during the general training encampment of that year the Natal Volunteer Force was visited by the Governor of Natal, Sir Walter Hcly-Hutchinson, who, of course, called upon the several officers' messes. Noting the absence of display in the B.M.R. mess—some empty bottles serving as plate—as compared with the ether messes, the Governor remarked upon it, exclaiming, " Ah, this is Spartan, Rethman, and what I like to see; rough and ready." The regimental Medical Officer, Captain H. T. Platt, thereupon picked up a top boot with spur attached and firmly setting it on the bare table amongst the empty bottles, said, " This is the only plate we have, sir." This incident led, with the sanction of the Governor, to the adoption of the Top Boot and Spur as the crest of the regiment with the motto "Rough but Ready." The identical boot and spur are still pre-served in the regimental museum of the Natal Mounted Rifles in Durban, and they are a treasured relic of the regiment. This device formed the crest of the regiment with scrolls bearing the name and motto of the unit and worn on the aides of the collar, the monogram device being worn on the hat. Buttons were distinctive and bore the monogram in raised letters. In common with the other mounted regiments of Natal, their monogram, badge, shoulder letters and buttons were of white metal, denoting their volunteer status and origin.

Members provided their own horse, saddlery, clothing and articles of personal use at their own expense, receiving an annual grant for the upkeep of the horse. The regiment received an annual capitation grant for running expenses. Members received no pay except when attending training encampments and on active service. Government provided arms, ammunition and field equipment. The usual colonial pattern saddlery was used and, up to about 1896, the brown leather cross-belt and ammunition pouch. But the latter was withdrawn shortly prior to the Anglo-Boer War, and the Royston webb rifle sling and bandolier combined was issued. This did not last long, however; it was a clumsy, awkward contraption, gave the wearer a sore shoulder and in die act of mounting and dismounting it brought the muzzle of the rifle in contact with the ground. Moreover, if thrown from his hone, the wearer was likely to receive a blow on die head by the rifle swinging over. After the first year of the Anglo-Boer War the equipment, known as the Royston Entanglement, was gladly discarded by the mounted regiments in favour of the leather rifle bucket, swung to the right side of the saddle, and leather bandolier.

From 1875, before which year the Terry and Snider Carbine was used by the Natal Volunteer Force, to 1894, the Natal mounted units used the .450 bore Martini-Henry carbine, firing a lead bullet from a brass-foil case, with a heavy punch backwards as well as forwards. The carbine was carried slung across the back on a leather sling. Ammunition was carried in a pouch or cartouche box, hung to a brown leather cross-belt. In 1894 the . 450 carbine was changed for the . 303 bore carbine, firing a nickel-sheathed lead bullet, but in 1899 the carbine was replaced by the Martini-Henry rifle and .450 Webley revolver. After the S.A. War the magazine rifle with bayonet replaced the fast, officers, warrant officers and certain other ranks carrying revolvers only. Up to this date officers carried swords but these were then discarded except for ceremonial dress. The Sam Browne belt was used. For several years before the Anglo-Boer War the regiment had a machine-gun troop, Maxims, but these were withdrawn shortly afterwards. Up to 1899 the B.M.R. had their own Medical, Veterinary and Signalling officers with their detachments, but in that year these were discontinued and the officers and other personnel were attached from those corps in war time and at annual training encampments.

In 1903 the Natal Volunteer Force was changed in status to a militia force of which recruits could be obtained compulsorily. But compulsion was rarely needed as no difficulty was experienced by units in keeping up their strength by voluntary enlistment. Under the Natal Militia Act the establishments of units were filed, likewise the period of the command and of the adjutancy. Other salutary changes were also brought about, notably as to promotion of officers and periods of service of members.

On 4th October, 1904, the regiment was honoured by the award of Kings Colours by H.M. King Edward VII, presented at Pietermaritzburg by H.R.H. Princess Christian, sister of the King, for services in the Anglo-Boer War. During the First Great War of 1914—1918. shortly after the amalgamation of the B.M.R. with the Natal Mounted Rifles, the Colours of the former, which had been left in the regimental headquarters at Ixopo when the regiment left for active service, disappeared and, despite every effort during many years to trace them, could not be found, to the profound regret of the former regiment to which they were given by the King as a regimental honour.

From its formation to the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War the life of the B.M.R. was uneventful enough, the only events of real interest being the ten days' annual training encampment, quarterly musters for drill and musketry and periodical dances and sports meetings. The regiment attained an outstanding standard in military sports and skill-at-arms, tent pegging and field firing being excelled in for years. Many are the trophies won by the regiment and by individuals for such skill.

On 29th September, 1899, the Border Mounted Rifles were called up for active service against the Boers and, although many lived in remote parts of their districts, the bulk of the personnel had, within two days, arrived at Ladysmith as a unit of the Natal Volunteer Brigade under their breezy, bluff and resourceful Commander, Major J. F. Rethman, of Harding, assembled there and were operating thence during the following five months. The regiment immediately got down to the serious duties of patrolling far afield, feeling for and getting contact with the Boer forces who were soon across the Natal borders and pushing on to Ladysmith and further down country. Fighting soon occurred and the regiment was in the thick of it and took an active share in the general engagements at Tintanyoni, Bestcr's Farm and Lombard's Kop, besides several minor and local affairs of outposts and patrols leading Up to the final surrounding and complete investment of Ladysmith. They took a leading part in the night attack upon and destruction of the Boer big guns on Gun Hill on 9th November, 1899, suffering casualties in all the fighting. Then on 6th January, 1900, came the attack by the Boers on the British posts on Wagon Hill and Caesar's Camp in the defence of which the B.M.R. took a strenuous role, suffering a number of casualties in killed and wounded. During the historic siege the regiment was reduced to half its strength by disease, privation, hardship from bad weather and the effect of continuous and arduous duties. A large number of their horses were slaughtered and eaten, these being mostly the mounts of noneffectives which could not be looked after and kept alive by any means or attention at all. During the siege their Adjutant, Captain William Arnott, was severely wounded and their Q.M. Lieut. W. D. Smith, died of disease.

After the Relief of Ladysmith and following a six weeks' period of rest, feeding and recuperation down country and the recruitment of the unit up to normal strength, the B.M.R. formed a unit of the reconstituted Natal Volunteer Brigade under Major General John G. Dartnell, which was attached to the Imperial forces which advanced north and finally drove the Boers out of Natal. On reaching Volksrust the Brigade was sent back to Dundee district charged with the duty of defending the upper part of Natal from the inroads of raiding parties of the enemy which were of frequent though largely ineffective occurrence. At the end of October, 1900, the Brigade was temporarily demobilised and returned home, leaving a composite regiment to which the B.M.R. contributed about fifty officers and men, who volunteered to serve on for the duration of the war. This unit waa the Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment which saw a good deal of fighting till peace came on 31st May, 1901, and in which the B.M.R. personnel suffered a number of casualties.

In the latter part of 1901 the Natal Volunteer Brigade was again in the field in the Greytown district holding the border against the threatened serious second invasion of Natal by the Boers via western Zululand. This enterprise by the enemy did not eventuate, however, as he was stopped and signally repulsed at the severe action at Itala by the Imperial force holding that sector of the war theatre. The Brigade was in the field for a month when it was again demobilised, this time for good so far as that war was concerned.

The casualties sustained by the B.M.R. during the war were 1 officer died, 12 other ranks killed or died of disease and about 18 officers and other ranks wounded.

In 1906 came the Zululand and Natal native rebellion in the suppression of which the B.M.R. took a full share and participated in most of the fighting which took place in Natal including the actions of Hlonono Hill and Umvoti Valley. The force was in the field for about six months. The casualties were very light.

In December, 1907, the regiment was out again as part of the expeditionary force which was suddenly called up and proceeded to Zululand to arrest Chief Dinuzulu who had been fomenting further trouble. His removal from the country settled the trouble and the force was out for about a month. No fighting occurred.

After 1907 the life of the regiment was peaceful until the outbreak of the First Great War in August, 1914, by which time the B.M.R. had become amalgamated with the N.M.R. as the 3rd Mounted Rifles (N.M.R.). This brought the life of the regiment as a separate entity to a close, but shortly before this — January, 1914 — the regiment, still as B.M.R., was called up for duty for three weeks guarding the railways of Natal during the General Strike upheaval. This was really police work.

Honours awarded to individuals of the regiment during all the field service the unit took part in were one C.M.G., two D.S.O. s to officers while temporarily serving with other units, and eight Mentions-in-Despatches, all while serving in their own regiment.

Source: Short History Of The Volunteer Regiments Of Natal And East Griqualand, Past and Present. Compiled by Colonel Godfrey T Hurst, DSO OBE VD, Honorary Colonel of the Natal Mounted Rifles.

 

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