Chapter VII: The Wonder of the World (2)

Captain Julius Henry Bruche was born on the 6th March 1873, and
educated at the Scotch College, Melbourne. His first experience
of military work was in the ranks, and as an officer in the
cadet corps, under Major W. Whitehead. After leaving the Scotch
College cadets he was appointed to the senior cadets, and from
them was transferred to the 1st Battalion Infantry Brigade as a
lieutenant on 15th May 1891. Whilst in the 1st Battalion he
passed the examination for captain, "distinguished in all
subjects." He was appointed permanent adjutant of the 1st and
2nd Battalions of the Infantry Brigade on the 18th July 1898,
and was promoted to the position of captain on the 17th
February 1899, after passing the examination for regular
officers, and going through a course of musketry and Maxim
machine-gun, obtaining an officer's extra certificate, and a
certificate as qualified as instructor of the Maxim
machine-gun. Captain Bruche is a barrister and solicitor, but
gave up his profession to join the permanent staff of the
Victorian forces.

It may here be mentioned that Victoria has the distinction of
being the birthplace of Dr. Robert Andrew Buntine, who was
mentioned for bravery at the battle of Glencoe in Sir George
White's despatches. Dr. Buntine was born on the 13th of
November 1869. He matriculated in the Melbourne University with
honours, and at once entered upon his medical course, where he
acquitted himself with some distinction, for although close
upon a hundred students entered their curriculum with him, only
five (and he was one of them) passed consecutively all their
examinations with honours. In 1890 he graduated with honours,
and took his M.B., Ch.M. degrees. He then became one of the
resident surgeons of the Melbourne Hospital for a year. After
that, and the hard work of the University, he decided upon a
year's travel. Accordingly, he travelled first in South Africa,
and then in Great Britain for some months, visiting many
interesting historical spots, and finally returning to South
Africa, where he bought a practice in partnership with Dr.
Currie, of Pietermaritzburg, Natal. Both are surgeons in the
army, Dr. Buntine being surgeon to the Volunteers, and Dr.
Currie to the Carabineers.

NEW ZEALAND

On the 21st of October, the anniversary of Trafalgar,
Wellington was very early astir. Great were her preparations to
commemorate the departure of her Contingent--the first
Contingent to embark from the Colonies. Bunting began to break
out before breakfast, and town and shipping were soon
fluttering with flags. In the streets groups were congregating
at a time when people are usually given up to business, and
uniforms everywhere dotted the thoroughfare. Large numbers of
volunteers came in from the country, some travelling all night,
and there was a turn out of local forces amounting to 1500.

The march through the town began at 1.20 P.M. It was an
inspiriting sight, and one that all wished to bear in memory.
The road at intervals was so dotted with cameras, that one
humourist in the ranks was heard to remark that this was the
"real original March of the Camera Men." The crowds thickened
and enthusiasm increased. Jervois Quay, the broadest avenue in
the city, as well the open land abutting on it, was thronged
from end to end. All the roofs commanding a view were lined,
the steamers at the wharves were packed even to the rigging,
and the long breastwork along the quay was crammed to
suffocation.

Here the passage for the Contingent was kept by a double row of
volunteers. The weather had been frowning and gusty, but no
sooner had the Contingent formed up in front of a temporary
stand projecting from the breastwork, on which Lord Ranfurly,
the Governor, Lady Ranfurly and suite were accommodated, than
the sun burst forth resplendent while the wind gently lulled.
Speeches were made, followed by pathetic leave-takings of
friends and relatives. At the last moment so great was the
crush that some of the men were cut off from the rest, and had
afterwards to struggle to the steamer as best they could.

As the big vessel slowly steamed off, cries of farewell,
shouts, cheers rent the air, and continued unceasingly, till
the _Waiwera_ bearing New Zealand "Soldiers of the Queen" to
the scene of war, had passed from sight.

The first New Zealand Contingent was commanded by Major Robin,
who is a splendid example of the born warrior. Originally a
gunner in the B Battery New Zealand Artillery, he rose in the
Otago Hussars through all the grades of non-commissioned
officers to command of the troop. This regiment from that time
was unsurpassed in efficiency by any in the Colony. As an
instance of the pluck and energy of the gallant major, a
characteristic story is told: When Sir John Richardson died he
was accorded a military funeral, and was interred in the
Northern Cemetery. On the day of the funeral the Leith was in
high flood, and there was a general opinion that the Dundas
Street Bridge would not bear the weight of the gun-carriage
bearing the honoured remains. Major Robin at once volunteered
to drive the gun-carriage across, and accomplished the
dangerous task without mishap.

Major Robin took charge of the New Zealand Contingent which
attended the Diamond Jubilee, and had the honour of commanding
the mixed Colonial escort which accompanied the Queen on her
visit to London during the celebrations.

Captain Madocks, who distinguished himself in the fight of the
15th of January at Slingersfontein, is a Wellington man, full
of pluck and resource, and as we now know, admirably calculated
to become a leader of men.

The second Contingent, under the command of Major Cradock and
numbering 242 officers and men and 300 horses, left Wellington
on the 20th of January--upwards of 70,000 spectators
congregating to witness the departure of the fine fellows,
whose appearance was alike martial and workmanly. These two
Contingents, equipped and sent over at the cost of the New
Zealand Government--the funds being raised among the settlers
themselves--were not by any means New Zealand's entire
contribution. Two more Contingents followed, and afterwards a
fifth, consisting of 500 rough riders; some of the smartest men
that could be gathered together! Indeed the whole force was
remarkable for its smartness, and before it had been long in
the Transvaal was highly praised by General French for its fine
horsemanship and coolness under fire.

An interesting feature belonging to the New Zealanders, and one
which must have struck consternation in the heart of the Boers,
was the Maori war-cry of the troops. This was composed by
Trooper Galloway, one of the Volunteer Contingent, and
taught by him to his comrades. The war cry in the Maori tongue
is "Kia, Kaha, Niu Tireni. Whawhai maiea mo te Kuini, to
kaianga. Ake! ake! ake!" which interpreted means, "Be strong,
New Zealand. Fight bravely for your Queen, for your country.
Ever! ever! ever!" The interest of the Maoris in Great Britain
was evinced in practical form. They held carnival, danced
native dances, and sang native songs, devoting the proceeds to
the Patriotic Fund. Their only regret was their inability to be
enrolled among the defenders of the country.

Premier of the Cape Parliament, 1898-1900.

Photo by Elliott & Fry, London.]

QUEENSLAND

The Queenslanders, under the command of Colonel Ricardo, have,
as before said, the honour of being the first of Great
Britain's children to come forward to her assistance. Their
deeds are now familiar to us, for they are associated with
Colonel Pilcher's famous raid to Sunnyside and Douglas, and
also with the magnificent ride of General French for the relief
of Kimberley. But before July 1899 we were scarcely acquainted
with our warlike brothers across the ocean.

The prime mover in the patriotic scheme of assisting the Mother
Country in her need was the Hon. J. R. Dickson, the Premier. As
we know, he lost not a moment. He did not wait for the need of
assistance to be recognised. In this respect he followed the
splendid example set in 1884 by the late Mr. Dalley, who, while
acting Premier for Sir A. Stuart, telegraphed independently the
wish of New South Wales to assist in the military undertakings
of the Mother Country. The Premier knew the spirit of loyalty
and patriotism that pervaded Queensland, and made haste to give
it utterance. He was well supported by all sections of the
Government and of the people, and speedily his action was
imitated all over the world.

Queensland by degrees sent out two Contingents composed of
mounted infantry and one machine-gun section of Royal
Australian Artillery; and finally, a third Contingent, of which
75 per cent. were bushmen, all first-class riders and splendid
shots. They were men of grand physique, many of them wealthy,
and many sons of prominent citizens. The infantry were not
mounted when despatched, but all being good horsemen, and their
services being chiefly required as scouts or to assist cavalry,
they had mounts provided for them on arrival by the Imperial
authorities. The Queensland Mounted Infantry was organised in
1884 by Colonel Ricardo, who is styled the "father" of mounted
infantry in Queensland, and belongs to the Militia Division of
the Colonial Defence force. The force is organised on the basis
of three years' service, and ordinarily is recruited from the
bushman and farmer class--a sterling and hardy set of fellows,
whose plain motto is "For God and the right." The uniform, a
highly becoming one, is of kharki, with claret-coloured
facings. The hat is of the usual "brigand" shape, decorated at
the side with a smart tuft of emu plumes.

The whole of the expenses of transport, equipment, arms, and
food for men and horses during the voyage was defrayed by the
Colony; pay on the field was met by the Imperial Exchequer, the
Colony only meeting the difference between the Imperial and
Colonial rates, the latter being higher.

The first Contingent consisted of 262 men and officers, who
sailed in the _Cornwall_ on November 11, 1899, amid a wild
display of patriotic enthusiasm.

Officers of the first Contingent--Staff--Major P. R. Ricardo,
to rank as Lieut.-Colonel; Sup. Captain R. S. Browne;
Lieutenant C. H. A. Pelham; Machine-Gun Section--Lieutenant C.
H. Black, Royal Australian Artillery. A Company Queensland
Mounted Infantry--Captain H. G. Chauvel; Lieutenant A. G. Adie
(wounded at Sunnyside under Colonel Pilcher); Lieutenant C. A.
Cumming; Lieutenant T. W. Glasgow; Lieutenant D. E. Reid. B
Company Queensland Mounted Infantry--Captain P. W. G. Pinnock;
Lieutenant H. Bailey; Lieutenant R. Dowse; Lieutenant R.
Gordon. The second Contingent was composed of 148 men and 8
officers, with 5 additional officers for special service in
South Africa. Officers of second Contingent--Lieut.-Colonel
Kenneth Hutchison, Headquarters Staff, commanding; Captain W.
G. Thompson, Queensland Mounted Infantry; Lieutenant H. J.
Imrie Harris, Queensland Mounted Infantry; Lieutenant A. F.
Crichton, Queensland Mounted Infantry; Lieutenant James Walker,
3rd Queensland (Kennedy) Regiment; Lieutenant R. M. Stodart,
Queensland Mounted Infantry. Supernumeraries--Captain Sir
Edward Stewart-Richardson, Bart., 3rd Battalion Black Watch;
Lieutenant John H. Fox. Additional officers
attached--Surgeon-Captain H. R. Nolan, A.M.C. Queensland
Defence; Major D. W. Rankin; Captain F. W. Toll, special
service; Captain A. E. Crichton, Camp Quartermaster; Captain W.
T. Deacon, Camp Adjutant.

The second Contingent sailed in the _Maori King_ on January 20.
The night before they were to start it was discovered that the
ship had been set on fire, but the flames were extinguished
before much damage was done. There seemed to be no doubt it was
the work of an incendiary, and the police kept a close watch
over the vessel till she was fairly away. It was regarded as
significant that the crew consisted mainly of Dutchmen and
Germans.

The third Contingent, which sailed in the _Duke of Portland_ on
March 1, was 300 strong, with 350 horses. In addition to the
above, about 20 men and 50 horses had been sent to Sydney, and
sailed with the New South Wales Contingent on February 26.
After accommodating men and horses, it was found that the _Duke
of Portland_ had still 500 tons of space available for cargo;
this the Queensland Government offered to fill with forage for
horses and men, and present to the Imperial Government.

SOUTH AND WEST AUSTRALIA

South Australia speedily sent two Contingents to the front, and
offered more should further help be required. The first
Contingent was commanded by Captain F. H. Howland. This officer
was born in Kensington, London, 1863, and served for three
years in the Middlesex E.V. Royal Engineers. At the expiration
of that time he went to Australia, and in 1885 joined the
volunteer company which was being formed at Mount Gambier, in
which he was appointed lance-corporal. Since then he has passed
through every rank, was appointed captain in 1893, and made
adjutant in June 1898. Captain Howland then became senior
captain in the second battalion, and--having passed his
examination for his majority--on the illness of his commanding
officer, commanded the battalion on several occasions.

The officers of the Contingent were as follows: Captain F. H.
Howland, D Company, Mount Gambier Infantry, C.O.; Captain G. R.
Lascelles, Royal Fusiliers, A.D.C. to Lord Tennyson (attached);
Lieutenant J. H. Stapleton, A Company, first battalion
infantry; Lieutenant F. M. Blair, B Company, first battalion
infantry; Lieutenant J. W. Powell, D Company, Mount Gambier
Infantry; Major J. T. Toll, Medical Staff.

In regard to the payment of the troops the arrangement was
simple. The men received 5s. a day. That meant that the pay
received through the South Australian Government and the pay
from the Imperial Government would together amount to 5s. a
day. Whatever amount the Imperial Government gave their
soldiers, members of the South Australian Contingent received
the same while on active service, and the balance paid to them
by the South Australian Government would bring the amount up to
5s. a day. They did not propose to send any money from the
Colony while the men were away, in order that, while fighting
side by side with the Imperial soldiers, they should not
receive more pay than their comrades. Their South Australian
pay would be left at home until their return. If the British
rate of pay were 1s. 4d., that arrangement would mean that 3s.
8d. per day would be due to them from the Colonial Government.
Before starting the men received one month's pay, amounting to
L7, which was considered sufficient to supply their immediate
wants, and see them over the voyage. On arrival at Port
Elizabeth they began to receive the same pay as the British
soldiers.

The officers of the second Contingent were: Captain J. Reade,
commanding; J. F. Humphries, senior subaltern; G. H. Lynch,
second subaltern; F. M. Rowell, third subaltern; G. J. Restall
Walter, junior subaltern; W. J. Press, warrant officer, in
charge of the "Colt" automatic machine-gun; William De Passy,
warrant officer.

The first Contingent of infantry was afterwards turned into
mounted infantry. The second Contingent was composed of
cavalry, and one machine-gun section. The Australian Horse was
drilled on exactly the same lines as British cavalry, and was,
in fact, under the instruction of British cavalrymen. The men
were either members of volunteer corps, or volunteered on the
outbreak of the war from all parts of the Colony.

When the news of British reverses reached the Colony, the
patriotic fervour of which the despatch of the first Contingent
was a practical proof, was once more fanned into flame. The
desire for Australian representation on the field of battle
again translated itself into action, and the intimation that
not only would further assistance be welcomed but that it was
really wanted met with ready response. No lack of volunteers
troubled the authorities, for numerous offers to serve were
received from all parts of the colony, from persons of all
classes and all ages. Among the youngest of those volunteering
was Allan O'Halloran Wright, who was but fourteen years of age,
who accompanied the Contingent as trumpeter. He is
exceptionally well developed, and considerably taller than many
of the rank and file. Among others was Sergeant Hanley, who was
in the thick of the fight at Majuba Hill. He served with the
92nd Gordon Highlanders in the Afghan War, and received two
decorations, including medal with the Kabul, Kandahar, and
Charasia bars, and a star for the historical march from Kabul
to Kandahar. He, with others, was mentioned in despatches for
his conduct in defending Lord Roberts from an attack of the
Ghilzais. He fought in twenty-seven engagements in Afghanistan,
and was the youngest man in the regiment. He stood side by side
with "Fighting Mac," who was then a lance-corporal, and
promoted to a commission for his distinguished services. After
the Afghan War he went to India, and though he had completed
seven years service, and need have done no more, he volunteered
for service with the 92nd Highlanders in South Africa. After
the miserable experiences of Majuba he went to South Australia,
where he served for nine years with the permanent force. He
acted as warder in the Yatala prison till, hearing of the war,
he instantly volunteered.

On the 28th of October the Contingent dined at Government
House, and after the meal the men were received in the great
hall and thus eloquently addressed by Lord Tennyson: "Men of
the South Australian Contingent of the British army in South
Africa--I am proud of being your Commander-in-Chief because of
your splendid patriotism, your alacrity in obeying the summons
of the old country, your self-sacrifice in leaving your
comfortable homes to fight for the United Empire, to maintain
the Queen's position in South Africa, and to rescue the
down-trodden Uitlanders from the political and social serfdom
imposed on them by the Boers. When I was at home in 1897 I saw
some of you in the Jubilee procession, and you were
vociferously cheered by the millions of people in the streets.
Why did they cheer you? Because they felt that you were our
kith and kin, and that you were not only taking part in a
triumphal procession in honour of the Queen, but that you were
pledging yourselves that, if the needful occasion should arise,
you would fight for our Queen and for our Empire. Your action
now, and the action of all Australasia and of Canada, will make
the nations of the earth hesitate before they strike at our
Empire in the future, seeing our Imperial loyalty, our Imperial
solidarity, our Imperial unity, our Imperial strength. I
believe from my experience as your Governor that there is no
man throughout South Australia who would not stand up in time
of stress in defence of the Queen, the Empire, and the Union
Jack. You are a gallant and stalwart body of men, and we
rejoice in your soldierly appearance and your loyal enthusiasm.
We feel sure that you will do your duty nobly, and return
covered with honour and renown. Remember, my men, that
obedience to discipline, and patience in enduring hardship, and
promptitude in the performance of your military duties are the
first steps towards the making of a victorious army. You are to
be joined in South Africa to highly organised battalions of
troops, some of the best in the world, commanded by highly
trained and scientific officers. Obey these officers and your
own implicitly, from the corporal to the Commander-in-Chief,
whether on the field or in garrison, or wherever you are; and I
need not tell you that, if you keep your eyes and ears open,
you will learn a great deal that will be useful to you in the
future. May Australia never be visited by war! If this ever
happens, the British fleet will protect Australia in the first
line of defence, but you must have an efficiently trained army
as a second line of defence. Knowing this, the Federal
Government of the future will, I am confident, put Australia in
a proper state of military preparedness; and that is one of the
reasons why I glory in our Federal Commonwealth to be. Remember
always, my friends, that you are the guardians of a magnificent
heritage, of a country of which you are justly proud, and that
the experience which you Australians will gain in South Africa
will not only enable you to fight, if necessary, for this
country, but will also enable you to teach your
comrades-in-arms, who are obliged to stay at home, something of
the needful requirements of modern warfare. I know the General
who is to lead you, Sir Redvers Buller. He is married to a
cousin of my wife's, and I can tell you that a finer soldier
could not be met with. The motto he would wish to be given you
would be: 'Obedience and cheerful courage on service are an
army's strength.' I am glad to have allowed--though it is
personally a loss to myself--my A.D.C., Captain Lascelles, to
accompany you, with special leave from the War Office at home.
As you are aware, in him you have a thoroughly experienced and
capable officer, and, like Captain Howland and your other
officers, he is fond of you and devoted to your welfare. If I
had to command a British army, I should know that, when you
have had a little more military experience, with your pluck,
your good marksmanship, and your loyalty, the standard of the
Queen could well be intrusted to the keeping of the Australian
Contingent. It is my duty as well as my pleasure to tell you
that, on behalf of the British people, Her Majesty's Government
have sent me two telegrams appreciative of the enthusiastic
patriotism of yourselves, of the Ministry, and of South
Australia. It is also my duty as well as my pleasure to read
you the kindly and gracious message from the Queen, which has
moved us all very deeply: 'Her Majesty the Queen desires to
thank the people of her Colonies in Australia for the striking
manifestation of loyalty and patriotism in their voluntary
offer to send troops to co-operate with Her Majesty's Imperial
forces in maintaining her position and the rights of British
subjects in South Africa. She wishes the troops God-speed and a
safe return.' The Boers have forced war upon us and have
invaded our territory. You are going to fight for the cause of
British freedom, for the honour of Great Britain, for the
honour of Australia. In the name, then, of our beloved Queen,
of Great Britain, and of South Australia, I bid you farewell,
and I wish you, after your work is accomplished, a safe and
happy home-coming."

On the 26th of January the second South Australian Contingent
started for the Transvaal amid scenes of great enthusiasm. The
Governor, Lord Tennyson, again made an inspiriting speech and
wished them God-speed.

WEST AUSTRALIA

West Australia sent with the same energy of patriotism two
Contingents amounting to 230 officers and men, with offers of
more if required. The officers were: Capt. R. Moor, R.A.; Capt.
H. S. Pilkington, late 21st Hussars; Major M'Williams, Medical
Officer; Lieut. J. Campbell; Lieut. H. F. Darling; Lieut. F. W.
M. Parker.

TASMANIA

The Tasmanian Government were not behind the other Colonies of
Australia in their desire to show their loyalty and patriotism
by offering troops for Imperial service. There was, of course,
some difference of opinion regarding the policy of going to
fight at all, as the following cutting from a local journal
will show: "In Tasmania, as elsewhere, there is a certain
number, not many, of the crawling tribe, who always find that
their country is in the wrong, and are never so happy as when
they can hold up some foe as a model of virtue in contrast with
the brutal Briton. It is curious to find those who call
themselves friends of the working-classes indulging in this
vein of oratory, but it is common to all the Colonies, and may
be said to account for the little influence that the party has
on general affairs. We have had here, of course, the inevitable
Catholic priest who has denounced the British, for he always
appears when Great Britain has any serious work to do, just as
there is the usual meeting of Irish in New York. In Hobart the
Catholic priests spoke feeling and appropriate words about the
departure of the Contingent, but on the West Coast one Father
Murphy went on the rampage in the good old style, and proceeded
to denounce the country under the Government of which he lives,
and which is liberal enough to allow him to say such things
with impunity. I wonder whether these folk ever think about
what would happen to them if they talked in the same strain in
France, Germany, or even in the United States. It does not
matter to Great Britain what these discontented ones say, but
they might learn from the liberty they use the value of the
freedom which they enjoy. On the whole, the people of Tasmania,
while they deeply regret that war should be necessary, are
fully alive to the value of a united empire, and are keenly
anxious that she may vindicate her position in South Africa,
and finally get rid of the Boer incubus which has weighed upon
the country ever since the Gladstone Ministry adopted the
policy of scuttle and palaver."

This quotation shows the drift of popular sentiment, and in the
end loyalty everywhere prevailed, and some splendid fellows
volunteered to go to the front. These were not "raw material,"
but intelligent, handy soldiers, accustomed to the rough and
tumble of bush life, and ready to provide for emergencies.
Their commander, Captain Cameron, had seen some service, and
took part in the famous march to Kandahar.

The first Contingent, sent in the _Medic_, consisted of eighty
men, of which the officers were: Capt. C. St. Clair Cameron,
Erandale, commanding (who was afterwards a prisoner in
Pretoria); Lieut. W. Brown; Lieut. F. B. Heritage; Lieut. G. E.
Reid, 1st Regt., Hobart. Of the privates the following were
subsequently taken prisoners to Pretoria: M. H. Swan, V. J.
Peers, A. Button. J. H. Whitelaw, also a private, who has
distinguished himself by gallantry in the field and by saving a
comrade's life at the imminent risk of his own, will probably
receive the V.C.

The second Contingent, which consisted of forty-five men, was
under the command of Sergt. J. Stagg, of Deloraine.

Both Contingents were composed almost entirely of gentlemen.

Tasmania also contributed 100 men to the Imperial Australian
Corps which was raised at Mr. J. Chamberlain's suggestion from
all the Australasian Colonies. The volunteering of the
Tasmanian contingent to join hands with Canada, Australia, and
New Zealand, and shoulder to shoulder to support the "flag of
old renown" in South Africa, gave origin to the following lines
written by a Tasmanian poet:--

"War? We would rather peace; but, Mother, if fight we must,
There be none of your sons on whom you can lean with a surer trust;
Bone of your bone are we, and in death would be dust of your dust!"

THE BUSHMEN'S CORPS

There was immense excitement over the formation of the Imperial
Bushmen or Roughriders' Corps. It consisted of over 2000
mounted men, selected from those experienced in riding and
looking after stock in country in its natural rough state,
unbroken by cultivation, fences or roads. In the first
instance, New Zealand made an offer to provide 500 such men,
after which--as more were required--Australia was asked to
raise a further 2000, the Imperial Government bearing the cost
of forwarding them to the seat of war, and maintaining and
paying them there. Four thousand applications from Victoria and
2000 from Adelaide were received. The citizens of Rockhampton
immediately offered to provide and equip twenty-five Bushmen.
New South Wales was represented by a Contingent of 500 men, and
Queensland decided to join with the other Colonies in
organising this smart and serviceable corps, whose value was
estimated as equal to twice the number of infantry.

The movement was a most popular one, and gifts of horses were
sent in from every direction. The public subscribed liberally,
Captain Bridges alone giving L1000 towards the expenses of the
Victorian Bushmen.

The officers selected for the New South Wales Bushmen were
Lieut.-Colonel Airey in command, Major Onslow, three captains
and fourteen subalterns. The movement was so popular and
subscriptions so liberal, that it was decided that 100 men
should be sent from South Australia instead of the fifty
originally proposed. Colonel Williams, of the New South Wales
Contingent, was appointed principal medical officer for all
the Australian Contingents serving in South Africa. The
departure of the Bushmen on the 17th of January was a
magnificent climax to the many magnificent demonstrations of
patriotism which had been evidenced throughout the Colonies.

INDIA'S CONTINGENTS

Between the Australasian and Canadian Colonies and the
Volunteer Contingent from India there is a certain difference
which it is necessary to recognise. In the Colonies, the
movement to help the Mother Country in her need, though
prompted and encouraged by popular enthusiasm, patriotism, and
donations from private and public resources, was suggested,
voiced, and supported by the respective Governments, the
Premiers of which acted very prominently in the enterprise,
whereas in India, the offer of military assistance was a
spontaneous impulse springing from individual patriotism and
carried out by private enterprise. India, being a Crown Colony,
could display her loyalty in no other way. Her position was
somewhat similar to the Home Establishment, and her regular
British troops were under orders for South Africa in exactly
the same way as were the Home forces. Nevertheless, India was
not backward in independent demonstrations of loyalty. English
officers from various native corps, who, in ordinary
circumstances, could serve only in their respective Indian
Contingents, now came forward and volunteered for active
service in aid of the Imperial cause in South Africa. The "men"
volunteered from all directions. Dapper young Calcutta
merchants, sporting tea-planters from Assam, gallant
indigo-planters, and dashing roughriders from Bombay, Assam,
Bengal, Cawnpore, Mysore, and all manner of districts unknown
even by name to the Little Englander sent in their appeal, and
pressed to be allowed to play their part in the defence of the
Empire; and thus the smart regiments known as Lumsden's Horse,
the Railway Contingent, and the Ceylon Mounted Contingent came
to be recruited.

Colonel Lumsden, lately Commandant of the Assam Valley Light
Horse, generously assisted both financially and personally in
raising and equipping the force, and quantities of Calcutta men
offered their services, their expenses being guaranteed by the
firms employing them. Gifts and subscriptions poured in. Lord
Curzon, the Viceroy, headed the subscription-list by a handsome
contribution, and so generous was the response of all India,
that about L30,000 was collected in connection with the
Transvaal war, including the equipment of volunteers.

The native princes offered troops and horses, and loyally
expressed themselves towards the Queen Empress. The troops were
declined, it being understood that the war was between white
men alone. Their offers of horses were, however, accepted.
Nevertheless, the generosity of the princes was not to be
denied, and several among them, the Maharajah of Bikanir, the
Maharajah of Durbhanga, and the Nawab of Moorshedabad,
subscribed liberally to the expenses of Lumsden's Horse,
offering at the same time their best wishes for the success of
the Contingent and the complete triumph of the British arms in
South Africa.

The Nizam of Hyderabad, whose State is as large as France, and
whose relations with the sovereign have always been most
cordial, assisted handsomely, saying at the same time, with
true Oriental grace, that his troops, his purse, and his own
sword were at the service of the Queen. The Maharajah of
Tanjore contributed 5000 rupees, while his son furnished a
complete set of X-ray apparatus. The Nawab of Bhavnagar State
presented fifty fully equipped Arab horses to the force, and
quantities of other prominent Nawabs displayed corresponding
liberality. The Maharanee of Bettiah generously presented to
each volunteer from her district a horse, and Khwajah Mahomed
Khan forwarded from Mardan (on the Punjab frontier) the sum of
2000 rupees as an expression of loyalty, with his best wishes
for the success of Lumsden's Horse. As an instance of the
excitement and martial feeling in regard to the Indian
Transvaal Contingent, it may be noted that the instant the
scheme was proposed, two-thirds of the Light Horse of Behar
volunteered for service, promising to provide everything except
means of transport. They formed part of Lumsden's Horse, who
were all men under forty years of age, many of them of
independent means, with horses of their own.

The following is the list of officers who were appointed to
Colonel Lumsden's Corps:--

Lieut.-Colonel Dugald McT. Lumsden, Assam Valley Light Horse
Volunteers, to be Commandant, with the temporary rank of
Lieut.-Colonel in the army; Lieut.-Colonel Eden Showers, late
Commandant Surma Valley Light Horse Volunteers, to be second in
command, with the temporary rank of Major in the army; Captain
J. H. B. Beresford, Indian Staff Corps, to be Company
Commander. To be Captains, with the temporary rank of Captain
in the army: Major Henry Chamney, Surma Valley Light Horse
Volunteers; Captain Francis Clifford, Coorg and Mysore
Volunteer Rifles; Second Lieutenant Bernard W. Holmes, East
India Railway Volunteer Rifles; Second Lieutenant John B.
Rutherford, Behar Light Horse Volunteers. To be Lieutenants,
with the temporary rank of Lieutenant in the army: Lieutenant
Charles L. Sidey, Surma Valley Light Horse Volunteers; Herbert
O. Pugh, gent.; George A. Nevill, gent.; Charles E. Crane,
gent. Captain Louis H. Noblett, the Royal Irish Rifles, to be a
Company Commander; Captain Neville C. Taylor, Indian Staff
Corps, to be Adjutant; Surgeon-Captain Samuel A Powell, M.D.,
Surma Valley Light Horse Volunteers, to be Medical Officer,
with the temporary rank of Captain; William Stevenson, gent.,
to be Veterinary Officer, with the temporary rank of Veterinary
Lieutenant.

The Government provided free passages, and the railway
authorities gave free passes. With the force went Mrs. C. W.
Park and Mrs. M. C. Curry, wives of Lieut.-Colonel C. W. Park
and Major M. C. Curry, of the 1st Devonshire Regiment, to
assist in the hospitals in Natal. This regiment, it may be
remembered, was with Sir George White, and had four officers
severely wounded in its first battle, Elandslaagte, and was
shut up in Ladysmith for over four months. Lumsden's Horse
sailed from India on February 6, much envied by all who had not
the good fortune to be of their number.

After Photo by S. B. Barnard, Cape Town.]

Ceylon was not behind India in patriotic enthusiasm, though its
powers were more limited. Great demonstrations of loyalty
prevailed everywhere in the island, and volunteers were eager
to be enrolled. Out of the numbers applying 125 men were picked
out and 5 officers. The force was armed with Lee-Metford
magazine rifles, 500 rounds of ammunition, and were nearly all
mounted on trained horses. Captain Rutherford, Royal Dublin
Fusiliers, was in command, and Captain Anderson, Royal
Artillery, was second in command. Captain Toogood (Warwickshire
Regiment) also accompanied the force.

The planters and merchants of Ceylon presented upwards of
30,000 lbs. of tea to be delivered free to the troops in South
Africa, to be shipped with the Contingent, and many private
individuals were equally generous. The Legislative Council
unanimously agreed that all expenses connected with the
equipment, arming, transport, and, when necessary, mounting of
the Ceylon Contingent, should be borne by the Colony. This
liberal decision was acknowledged by Mr. Chamberlain in the
following terms:--

MR. CHAMBERLAIN TO GOVERNOR THE RIGHT HON.
SIR J. WEST RIDGEWAY.

"Your telegrams of January 9 and January 10. Her Majesty's
Government congratulate Ceylon on completion of Contingent,
which they accept with much pleasure, and highly appreciate
patriotic and generous action of Legislative Council."

The Ceylon Mounted Contingent sailed on February 2 for active
service in South Africa, amid the prayers and good wishes of a
huge concourse of people.

In addition to the above contingents from India and Ceylon, the
Indian Government sent the guns and equipment for three
field-batteries of 15-pounders, and also three corps of native
transport drivers and muleteers--about 400 in all--under
British officers.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN VOLUNTEERS[6]

CAPE COLONY

It has been said that the whole course of the campaign might
have been changed had the Cape Colony forces been utilised
sufficiently early. If the Cape Ministry had begun at once by
employing the splendid Colonial forces at its disposal, not for
purposes of defiance, but of defence, the tale of raid and
rebellion, which has been as harassing as the tale of war,
would never have been told. But as it is useless to talk of the
_might have been_, or of things done or left undone by the Cape
Ministry, we must proceed to consider the services of the Cape
Colonial Force, of the ten thousand volunteers, when they were
eventually allowed to come into action. Of the splendid troops
in Mafeking and Kimberley the Colony must ever be proud, for on
them fell the weight of showing what worthy offshoots of the
bold and the brave the sun of South Africa has reared. These
men, recruited for the most part from Cape Town, Port
Elizabeth, East London, Queenstown, Grahamstown, and Kimberley,
consisted largely of past and present Cape Colony Volunteers.
They were bone of our bone, and when the hour of stress arrived
they proved themselves as such. They were immensely proud to be
included in the term British, and right royally they acted up
to the higher interpretation of that term. Though they have
borne years of insult and suffered in innumerable ways for
their fealty and devotion to the Mother Country, they rushed to
arms joyfully in the hope that Great Britain would reassert
herself, annex the whole of South Africa, and administer it
under one Government. They longed to be quit of Dutch intrigue.
They pined for a strong rule, one that would be free of the
vacillations that had kept them on tenter-hooks for years, and
prevented their living in a sense of security enjoyed by other
freeborn British subjects. By these loyal fellows the towns of
Mafeking and Kimberley were practically defended. In those
places there were very few Imperial troops, and little could
have been accomplished without the aptness and grit of the
Colonials. The reason why they appeared to be neglected is not
far to seek. No man is a prophet in his own country, and to
this trite fact may be attributed the want of instant
appreciation accorded to the Cape Colonial Volunteers who so
spontaneously and with genuine zeal responded to the call of
duty. While we made much of the Colonials from over the
seas--the "Visiting Colonials" as they are called--we failed to
see that at our elbows were the very men who would leap forward
at a word and check the onward career of the enemy and put a
stop to his annexations while our troops in England were
getting into shape. But later we jumped at them. Then the Cape
Colonists began to be vastly appreciated, and to receive the
highest encomiums from all who had the good fortune to serve
with them.

The following is a table of some of the prominent Colonial
forces of Cape Colony, 1900:--

----------------------+-------------+------------------------+----------------
|ESTABLISHMENT| EFFECTIVE TO DATE |
+-----+-------+--------+--------+------+
CORPS |All | | |N.C.O.'s| |
|Ranks|Horses |Officers|and Men |Horses|OFFICERS
----------------------+-----+-------+--------+--------+------+----------------
IRREGULARS RAISED | | | | | |
BEFORE WAR | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Rhodesian Regiment | ... | | ... | ... | ... | ...
Protectorate Regiment}| | | | | |{Col. Baden-
}| 650 | ... | ... | ... | ... |{Powell, 5th
Kimberley Regiment }| | | | | |{Dragoon Guards
Diamond Fields Horse | 100 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ...
Bechuanaland Rifles | 100 | ... | ... | ... | ... | ...
| | | | | |
IRREGULARS RAISED | | | | | |
SINCE WAR | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Rimington's Guides | 212 | 220 | ... | ... | ... |{Lieut.-Col.
| | | | | |{Hon. J. Byng,
1st S.A.L. Horse | 599 | 580 | ... | ... | ... |{10th Hussars
| | | | | |{Capt. Villiers,
Roberts's Horse | 599 | 580 | ... | ... | ... |{Royal Horse
| | | | | |{Guards
Kitchener's Horse | 599 | 580 | 41 | 617 | 586 | ...
1st Brabant's Light | | | | | |
Horse | 599 | 580 | ... | ... | ... | ...
2nd Brabant's Light | | | | | |
Horse | 599 | 580 | ... | ... | ... | ...
Gatacre's Scouts | 50 | 50 | ... | ... | ... | ...
Montmorency's Cavalry | | | | | |
Division Scouts | 100 | 100 | ... | ... | ... | ...
6th Cavalry Division | | | | | |
Scouts | 25 | 25 | ... | ... | ... | ...
Chief in Command's | | | | | |
Body Guard | 50 | 50 | ... | ... | ... | ...
| | | | | |
LOCAL DEFENCE CORPS | | | | | |
Nesbitt's Mounted | | | | | |
Local Defence Corps | 400 | 400 | ... | ... | ... | ...
Bayley's Mounted | | | | | |
Local Defence Corps | 500 | 500 | ... | ... | ... | ...
Orpen's Horse | 300 | 300 | ... | ... | ... | ...
Railway Pioneer | | | | | |
Regiment |1008 | 8 | 34 | 959 | 15 | ...
| | | | | |
VOLUNTEERS | | | | | |
| | | | | |
P.A.O. Cape Artillery | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ...
Diamond Fields | | | | | |
Artillery | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ...
Cape Garrison | | | | | |
Artillery | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ...
----------------------+-----+-------+--------+--------+------+----------------

[[Transcriber's note: The following text was written vertically
in a column of the table above. It has been rendered here for
ease of display.

REMARKS: These numbers have been increased within the last few
months by recruiting, Kitchener's Horse showing an increase of
about 50. The figures, therefore, are only approximately
correct]]

STRENGTH OF VOLUNTEER CORPS ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Prince Alfred's Own Cape Artillery--officers, 5; other ranks,
117; total, 122. Diamond Fields Artillery--officers, 4; other
ranks, 119; total, 123. Cape Garrison Artillery--officers, 18;
other ranks, 431; total, 449. Duke of Edinburgh's Own Volunteer
Rifles--officers, 31; other ranks, 1027; total, 1058. Cape Town
Highlanders--officers, 12; other ranks, 392; total, 404. Prince
Alfred's Volunteer Guard--officers, 21; other ranks, 494;
total, 515. First City Volunteers--officers, 22; other ranks,
556; total, 578. Kaffrarian Rifles (Colonel Cuming)--officers,
31; other ranks, 672; total, 703. Queenstown Rifle
Volunteers--officers, 18; other ranks, 299; total, 317.
Frontier Mounted Rifles--officers, 10; other ranks, 131; total,
141. Uitenhage Volunteer Rifles--officers, 16; other ranks,
396; total, 412. Komgha Mounted Rifles--officers, 5; other
ranks, 41; total, 46. Stellenbosch Mounted Infantry--officers,
1; other ranks, 31; total, 32. Kimberley Regiment--officers,
25; other ranks, 541; total, 566. Bechuanaland
Rifles--officers, 5; other ranks, 61; total, 66. A Company Cape
Medical Staff Corps--officers, 2; other ranks, 55; total, 57. B
Company Cape Medical Staff Corps--officers, 3; other ranks, 71;
total, 74. C Company Cape Medical Staff Corps--officers, 0;
other ranks, 13; total, 13. Transkei Mounted Rifles--officers,
5; other ranks, 66; total, 71. No. 1 Xalanga Border Mounted
Rifle Club--officers, 4; other ranks, 40; total, 44. No. 19
Tembuland Mounted Rifle Club--officers, 2; other ranks, 21;
total, 23. No. 23 Nqamakwe Mounted Rifle Club--officers, 1;
other ranks, 21; total, 22. No. 25 Engcobo Mounted Rifle
Club--officers, 1; other ranks, 28; total, 29. No. 29 Tsomo
Mounted Rifle Club--officers, 1; other ranks, 29; total, 30.

To prove his appreciation of the devotion and military prowess
of the Cape colonists Lord Roberts, on his arrival in South
Africa, decided on raising a Colonial Division. The official
intimation of the formation of this division was contained in
the following announcement:--

"The Commander-in-Chief, recognising the value of the services
rendered by the Colonial troops, has authorised the formation
of a division. Colonel Brabant, M.L.A., C.M.G., has been given
the local and temporary rank of a Brigadier-General, and will
be in command. Brabant's Horse, with several other irregular
corps and mounted contingents, limited in number, from the
infantry volunteer regiments, will form the first portion of
this force, and its first object will be to drive the enemy
out of the Colony, and to co-operate with the Imperial troops.
It has been decided to raise a further 1500 mounted irregulars,
so as to give all Colonials and men with Colonial experience a
chance of joining this division. Men who enrol in this Mounted
Irregular Corps, and who cannot afford to go on a long
campaign, will be allowed to register their names for service
in the Colony only, but any portion of such registered men can
volunteer to take part in any further advance that may be
ordered beyond the Orange River. To raise this latter force
recruiting stations will be open in all parts of the Colony,
and it is proposed to elect officers from Colonial gentlemen or
those with Colonial experience."

As may be imagined, there was great jubilation among the
thousands of martial spirits at the Cape, who for long had been
fretting at enforced inactivity.

Some very interesting particulars regarding raising of some of
the Colonial Corps were elicited from Mr. W. Hosken, who was
chairman of the Uitlander Council and the Chamber of Commerce
at Johannesburg. He said: "I was chairman of the committee
which obtained permission from the Government to raise
Thorneycroft's and Bethune's Corps of mounted infantry and the
Imperial Light Horse, and all raised in Natal and mainly from
refugee Uitlanders from Johannesburg. From the Imperial
officers with whom I was brought into contact I received every
consideration and the greatest cordiality. But again it should
be remembered that we got the permission only after pressure
had been brought to bear by public meetings at Durban and
Maritzburg, and in other ways. The response was most
gratifying. Only when the Boers were threatening to advance on
Maritzburg were we allowed to form the Imperial Light Horse.
Intimation of the permission was given on the Friday. By the
following Wednesday we were able to report that 1300 men had
offered for service, and that the medical examination would be
at once begun. Thorneycroft's Corps was the first to take the
field, and was actually fighting within six weeks from the date
of its enrolment. The testimony from Boer sources as to the
value of these regiments has been most gratifying. In one
verbal statement by a Boer commandant they were described as
'evidently skilled sharpshooters.' Then there are the Natal
Volunteers, recruited in very much the same way as your
Volunteers at home, clerks and artisans from the towns, with
the mounted companies from the country districts. They took the
field possibly with some misgivings as to their capacity, just
as the Volunteers here might do; but they have proved
themselves equal to any military duty that is imposed on them.
The soldiers of the regular army recognise them as worthy
comrades, and the greatest cordiality exists between the
regular and volunteer forces. Later on there was formed also in
Natal a body of Colonial scouts--750 strong--recruited from
local men who knew the country. Those who wished to serve
together were placed in the same squad. Every section of
twenty-five men elects its own leader, and every four sections
its commander. They have already proved their efficiency in
service with Sir Redvers Buller's army. Then there is the corps
of ambulance bearers. When General Buller was making
arrangements for the attack on Colenso last month he asked for
1200 white bearers. On the first day the notice was posted in
Durban 900 men volunteered. Far more than the required number
offered, and a selection was made of those who were considered
the most fitted for the duty. These men did excellent work,
bringing out the wounded under fire during that disastrous day
at Colenso. Three were killed and several wounded, and every
one of the corps behaved splendidly."

In regard to the apparent neglect of the Volunteers at the
Cape, he went on to say: "The delay in recruiting irregulars
at the Cape was not in the least due to the unwillingness of
the Uitlanders there or of the British residents. It was the
result of political considerations which were then thought to
be of sufficient weight by well-advised men on the spot. The
delay caused a great deal of heart-burning among hundreds who
were only too keen to take up arms; and it is only quite
recently that permission has been given to form irregular corps
and to accept the services of the Cape Volunteers already in
existence, who were eager to serve. Directly the permission was
given men flocked to the standard, and you have now Rimington's
Guides, the South African Light Horse, and the Cape Volunteers,
who have all promptly proceeded to the front. Another most
useful body is now being recruited both in Natal and in Cape
Colony--I mean the Railway Pioneer Corps. It is being officered
by the most eminent of the mining engineers of Johannesburg,
and the rank and file are made up of skilled mechanics, who are
specially qualified for the particular duties they will have to
perform. They will be armed in the ordinary way, drilled as an
engineer corps, and will be expected to do the ordinary work of
the military engineer."

The Imperial Light Horse, formed by Majors Sampson and Karri
Davies, was largely composed of Australians. Many Johannesburg
people joined it, most of them "all-round sportsmen, capital
shots, and keen riders." They joined on the principle of not
allowing the Mother Country to fight their battles for them
while they had a right arm with which to assert themselves.

The Cape Mounted Police, 1000 strong, who were also sent on
active service at the commencement of the war, were invaluable.
They were remarkable, not alone for gallantry, but efficiency.
When Captain de Montmorency's Scouts were cut off near
Labuschagnes Nek by some 800 Boers, Captain Golsworthy on the
last day of the year came to the rescue with a party of the
Cape Mounted Police, and put the enemy to flight.

Early in 1900, the Rhodesian Field Force, under the command of
Lieut.-General Sir Frederick Carrington, was organised to
operate in Northern Rhodesia, and stop any trekking of members
of the Free State or Transvaal or rebels of Cape Colony into
Rhodesian territory.

The officers were:--Major C. D. Learoyd, Royal Engineers; Major
A. V. Jenner, D.S.O., Rifle Brigade; Major C. L. Josling, Royal
Army Medical Corps; Major G. A. R. Carew, 7th Hussars; Captain
E. Peach, Indian Staff Corps; Captain R. G. Partridge, Army
Ordnance Department; Captain W. E. Lawrence, South Wales
Borderers; Second Lieutenant C. S. Rome, 11th Hussars; Second
Lieutenant C. H. Dillon, Rifle Brigade; Paymaster G. J. C.
Whittington, Hon. Colonel; Lieutenant Pemberton; Major P.
Dalton, late 3rd V.B. Royal Fusiliers; Major C. D. Guise, 3rd
Gloucester Regiment; Brevet-Major P. Moir Byres, 1st Dragoon
Guards; Captain C. W. Kennard, 3rd Gordon Highlanders; Second
Lieutenant W. H. Longden, 4th East Surrey Regiment; Chaplain
Rev. F. P. Moreton, M.A.; Lieutenant R. Laing, surgeon;
Lieutenant E. A. Parsons, surgeon; Lieutenant H. Cardin,
surgeon; Lieutenant F. F. Bond, surgeon; Lieutenant G. H.
Collard, surgeon; Lieutenant F. R. Pullin, surgeon; Lieutenant
H. D. Buss, surgeon; Colonel H. C. Wood, late 10th Hussars;
Lieut.-Colonel J. Leslie, 5th Royal Irish Fusiliers;
Lieutenant-Colonel B. G. Booth, late Scots Guards; Major J. W.
Traill, late 4th Cheshire; Captain R. Gray, C.M.G., late 6th
Dragoons; Captain E. C. P. Curzon, late 18th Hussars; Captain
F. C. P. Curzon, Royal Irish Rifles; Captain H. F. F. Fisher,
Army Service Corps; Veterinary-Captain H. T. W. Mann;
Lieutenant J. K. Rashleigh, late Artillery Militia; Lieutenant
F. J. Lawrence, late English Militia; Lieutenant C. A.
Burgoyne, 3rd Dragoon Guards; Lieutenant A. Wormald, surgeon;
Major E. J. Tickell, D.S.O., 14th Hussars; Captain J. Ponsonby,
Coldstream Guards; Captain Pereira, Coldstream Guards; Captain
H. J. Haddock, Royal Welsh Fusiliers; Captain R. K. Arbuthnot,
Royal Irish Regiment; Lieutenant W. D. P. Watson, late Scots
Greys; Major G. Wright, R.G.A.; Major A. Paris, R.M.A.; Captain
and Hon. Major G. E. Giles, late R.A. In all, forty-four
officers.

NATAL

The following is a list of the names and numbers of the local
forces which the colony of Natal has put into the field: Natal
Naval Volunteers, 150; Natal Carabineers (Colonel Royston,
since dead), 465; Natal Mounted Rifles, 200; Border Mounted
Rifles, 270; Umvoti Mounted Rifles (Major Leuchars), 130; Natal
Field Artillery, 120; Natal Royal Rifles, 145; Durban Light
Infantry, 400; Medical Staff, 7; Veterinary, 3; Staff, 19;
Natal Mounted Police (Europeans) at Ladysmith and other
portions of the Colony (Colonel Dartnell), 649; Thorneycroft's
Mounted Infantry (Colonel Thorneycroft, Royal Scots Fusiliers,
D.A.A.G.), 500; Bethune's Mounted Infantry (Lieut.-Colonel
Bethune, 16th Lancers, Colonel Addison second in command), 500;
Imperial Light Infantry (Colonel Nash), 1000; Imperial Light
Horse (Colonel Scott Chisholm, killed 21st November 1899), 500;
Colonial Scouts (Colonel Edwards, Captain Sydney Osborne), 500;
Ambulance Bearers (1st section), 1000; Ambulance Bearers (2nd
section), 600. Total, 7158.