The South African
by Neville Gomm
2. MASHONALAND HORSE
This volunteer unit was formed to replace the British South Africa Company Police. The strength was 500 men on its formation. Under the command of Major Forbes it was distributed as follows: - Salisbury 380 men; Victoria - 150 men and detachments at Mazoe, Hartley Hill and Manica. The artillery troop under the command of Captain Lendy consisted of 44 officers and men and was stationed at Salisbury. In emergencies this unit could be supplemented by a burgher force of some 1,500 men who were liable for service in time of war.
4. VICTORIA RANGERS
Based at Fort Victoria where there was also a local burgher corps. About 1893 a force of about 400 white men could stand to arms.
6. MATABELELAND MOUNTED POLICE
Raised and equipped after the Matabele War of 1893 when the columns were disbanded on arrival at Bulawayo. Lieutenant W. Bodle raised 150 men to form the nucleus of the unit.
8. MATABELELAND NATIVE POLICE
This force was composed solely of Matabele and was organised in the beginning of May, 1894. It had a numerical strength of 150 non-commissioned officers and men. Each member was armed with a Martini-Henry rifle, a bayonet and 40 rounds of ammunition. They were clothed in suitable uniform and their annual cost of maintenance was about R60 (gbp 30). Each district was supplied with three N.C.O.’s and 17 men who were under the charge of the Native Commissioner for the district.
9. BULAWAYO FIELD POLICE
This volunteer force included about 125 “Colonial” natives under command of Colenbrander. (See also No. 13).
11. THE VICTORIA COLUMN (see No. 36)
It included 78 “Cape Boys” and “Zambezia Boys”. They were employed with the wagons and at making roads. The SALISBURY COLUMN (see No. 36) had 115 “Natives” who are thought to have been “Cape Boys.”
13. The supreme command during the campaign was entrusted to Sir Frederick Carrington.
21. UMTALI RIFLES
Had a strength of 132 men all of whom were local volunteers.
29. SOUTHERN RHODESIAN VOLUNTEERS
The unit was presented with a Colour by Lord Milner at Mafeking on behalf of the King.
30. The regiment was a mounted unit and was commanded by Plumer.
33. BAROTSELAND NATIVE POLICE
The unit was commanded by Captain Carden and, at a later stage, also by Captain Hodson. Colonel C. Harding, CMG, DSO, was at one time Acting Administrator or Commandant.
34. MASHONALAND MOUNTED POLICE
This unit was raised and equipped after the Matabele War of 1893. Together with No. 6, it was organised on the basis of a small cavalry regiment which was supported by an establishment of African Auxiliaries. It also took part in the Jameson Raid.
35. BRITISH SOUTH AFRICA POLICE
This unit was formed by an amalgamation of Nos. 6 and 34, and a number of Bechuanaland Border Police on or about October 8th, 1896.
36. VICTORIA and SALISBURY COLUMNS
These two forces numbered about 670 white men of whom the majority were mounted. Their weapons included five Maxims and one 7-pounder.
37. TULI COLUMN
This force was under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel H. Goold-Adams and Captain P. J. Raaf. It numbered about 500 white men of whom 250 were from the Bechuanaland Border Police. The remainder were volunteers under Captain Raaf and are most probably the RAAF’S RANGERS mentioned in No. 5 of the original list. Of this column, 300 men were mounted and it had five Maxims and two 7-pounders.
38. COLONIAL NATIVES
This unit comprised 60 Africans from the Cape. The PIONEER COLUMN of 1890 also contained Colonial Natives who were employed as transport drivers and personal servants. Nos. 36, 37 and 38, together with 2,000 auxiliaries from Chief Khama, about 400 armed Mashona auxiliaries, some Indians, African drivers and other non-combatants were engaged in the Matabele War of 1893. Major P. W. Forbes of the Inniskilling Dragoons was in command of the entire force.
39. VICTORIA VOLUNTEER FORCE
Under the command of Major Alan Wilson this unit fobmed part of the VICTORIA COLUMN. (See No. 36).
40. RHODESIA FIELD FORCE
This Imperial corps, which contained soldiers from many different parts of the world, reinforced the country through Beira after the outbreak of the South African War, 1899-1902.
41. 1ST RHODESIA REGIMENT
A unit formed for service in the German South West Africa Campaign and disbanded soon afterwards.
42. 2ND RHODESIA REGIMENT
A unit formed for service in German East Africa. It embarked at Beira in 1915 and returned to that port in 18th April, 1917.
43. MURRAY’S COLUMN
It consisted of reinforcements sent to German East Africa in 1915. The column was organised into two Special Service Companies of the British South Africa Police. A large proportion of these Companies were volunteers and ex-members of the 1st Rhodesia Regiment. Lieutenant-Colonel R. E. Murray was in command. It was an all-white unit from Southern Rhodesia.
44. NYASA-RHODESIA FIELD FORCE
In the German East Africa Campaign commanded by Brigadier-General E. Northey.
45. 1ST RHODESIA NATIVE REGIMENT
Left Salisbury in 1916 for service in German East Africa. The unit was led by white officers and N.C.O.’s.
46. 2ND RHODESIA NATIVE REGIMENT
Went to German East Africa in 1917. This unit and No. 45 were merged into a complete battalion early in 1918.
47. SOUTHERN RHODESIA MOTOR TRANSPORT CORPS
A small unit formed during the First World War which did fine work transporting supplies.
48. RHODESIA NATIVE POLICE
The nucleus of this unit was enlisted from the Angoni tribe in North-eastern Rhodesia in 1898.
34. MASHONALAND MOUNTED POLICE
When taking part in the Jameson Raid they wore grey felt “smasher” hats with left side pinned up and blue puggaree with white spots (commonly known as “guinea fowl” or “‘bird’s-eye” pattern). Their tunic and breeches were of dark grey Bedford cord (copied from the Cape Mounted Riflemen) and they had dark blue puttees.
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