TOPIC:

S T R A T H C O N A' S H O R S E

Militia Orders


Headquarters, Ottawa.


Thursday, 1st February 1900


G. O. 26 para. 1.


Special Service, Force
Strathcona's Horse

In response to the patriotic request of the Rt. Hon. Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, High Commissioner of Canada, authority has been granted for the formation of a Corps, equipped and armed as Mounted Rifles, at his own expense for special service in South Africa.

This corps will be designated, "Strathcona1s Horse," with a strength of the regimental staff and three squadrons, in accordance with Army Establishments for a cavalry regiment, 1898.

Enrolment

Enrolment will be carried out by officers commanding squadrons, assisted by their subalterns and by officers of the North-West Mounted Police who will make the best arrangements possible for this service.

N.C. Officers of the Permanent Corps, Active Militia and members of the North-West Mounted Police, may be enrolled as privates and promoted as required to the various grades provisionally by the officers commanding squadrons, subject to final approval by the officer commanding the Regiment.

Places of Enrolment and concentration:

Enrolment will take place, and the Troops concentrated as hereunder:-

"A" Squadron -
1st Troop - Winnipeg / Portage la Prairie / Brandon / Verdon - Ottawa
2nd Troop - Moosomin - Ottawa
3rd Troop - Regina - Ottawa
4th Troop - Prince Albert / Battleford - Ottawa
"B" Squadron

1st Troop - Calgary - Ottawa
2nd Troop - Edmonton - Ottawa
3rd Troop - Macleod / Pincher Creek - Ottawa
4th Troop - Lethbridge / Medicine Hat / Maple Creek - Ottawa

"C" Squadron

1st Troop - Fort Steele - Ottawa
2nd Troop - Nelson - Ottawa
3rd Troop - Golden / Revelstoke / Vernon - Ottawa
4th Troop - Kamloops / Vancouver / Victoria - Ottawa

Regimental Staff and Concentration at Ottawa.

The regimental staff will be organized at the Exhibition Grounds, Ottawa, under the command, temporarily, of Lieut-Colonel Cotton, commanding the Ottawa Brigade.

Lieut-Colonel Steel, commanding the Corps, and Mr. Fred. White, Comptroller North-West Mounted Police, will make all necessary arrangements for recruiting and for the maintenance and transportation of men and horses from the place of enrolment &c to Ottawa.

Dr. McEachren is charged with the purchase of the horses required in the North-West Territories &c.

The Officer commanding the Regiment and the Comptroller North-West Mounted Police will make the necessary arrangements for the detachments of men and horses arriving at Ottawa, in conjunction with the Officer Commanding the Ottawa Brigade, and the Quarter-Master General.

　
Qualification.

Men will be enrolled subject to a medical examination at the places allotted to each troop. Each Troop of a Squadron will accordingly represent the place or places allotted to it.

Terms of Service.

Volunteers other than the above will be accepted provided they are good horsemen, good shots, unmarried and are in other respects qualified.

Qualifications:

Standard Height, 5 Feet 6 Inches, with 34 inches chest measurement.

Age:- Not less than 22 years nor more than 40

The following are the terms of service:-

(a) Service under the Army Act for 6 months with liability of extension to one year.

(b) Rations, clothing and equipment, including saddlery, free.

(c) Pay at the rates laid down for the North-West Mounted Police up to the time of disembarkation in South Africa. After that date pay will be issued by Imperial Government under the Royal Warrant for pay.

Horses Standard:

Age between 5 and 10 years.
Height: 14 1/2 to 15 1/2 hands and practically sound.

Saddlery:

The saddlery will be of the North-West Mounted Police pattern.

Accomodation, Clerical Assistance &c:

The Officer Commanding the Regiment and the Officers of the North-West Mounted police will be good enough to arrange the accommodation required for the medical examination and for the necessary clerical work. They will also procure additional clerical assistance, if needed, and will provide the necessary stationary.

Medical Inspection:

The medical inspection of the men will be performed by Medical Officers of the Permanent Force, of the North West Mounted Police, or, where the services of such officers are not available, by medical officers selected by the Officer Commanding, or by the Assistant Commissioner of the North-West Mounted Police. In the case where Officers not in permanent employment of the Government perform the medical examination, at the termination of recruiting a statement of the number of men examined will be forwarded to Headquarters, Ottawa, certified by the Officer Commanding, for payment of renumeration.

Medical Examiners are directed to be careful and rigid in examining recruits. They will be guided by paras: 496 to 527, Regulations for Army Medical Services, 1897, copies of which will be provided to Civil Practioners, when necessary by the Officer Commanding and Assistant Commissioner of the North-West Mounted Police.

Attestation:

Attestation papers, embodying an oath to be administered verbally, will be forwarded to the Officer Commanding and to the Assistant Commissioner North-West Mounted Police for the use of enroling Officers. These forms will be filled up by the Enroling Officer and signed by the Volunteer in the presence of the Enroling Officer who will also sign them. This constitutes the enrolment.

Men who have been enroled will be paid by the Officer Commanding from funds which will be placed at his disposal, at the rates laid down for the North-West Mounted Police, from the date of attestation. Forage will similarly be issued for all horses upon enrolment, or an allowance in lieu in accordance with the North-West Mounted Police regulations.

Relative Rates of Pay

The following are the relative rates of pay:

Special Service Force Amount

Lieutenant-Colonel.............$7.12
Major................................... 4.38
Captain................................ 3.84
Lieutenant........................... 2.75
Surgeon Medical Officer..... 3.84
Vet. Surgeon Vet. Officer... 2.75

N.C. Officers and Men

Special Service Force Per Diem

Regimental Sergt. Major..................................................$2.00
Squadron Sergt. Major.....................................................$1.50
Other Staff (Do. Quartermaster Sergt.)............................$1.50
Sergeants (Orderly Room Sergeant)................................$1.50
Hospital Sergeant............................................................$1.50
Pay Sergeants.................................................................$1.50

Other Non-Commissioned

Orderly Room Clerk...........................................$1.00
Sergeants..........................................................$1.00
Corporals...........................................................00.85
Private...............................................................00.75
(Private according to length of service 0.50 to 0.75)

Administration of Squadrons during Formation:

The administration of the troops and squadrons during the formation will be as follows:-

(A) The squadrons will be under the command of the the Officer Commanding and Officers of the North-West Mounted formation Police.

( At stations where units of the Permanent Force and of the N.W. Mounted Police are quartered, the men and horses will be attached to such units for discipline, rations and accommodation. Blankets will, if possible be drawn from stores. At other stations, the Officer Commanding and the Assistant Commissioner of the N.W. Mounted Police will act on their judgment. The men will be accommodated in drill halls or other buildings, and a contract entered into for their rations, or an allowance of 60 cents per diem may be issued, which with their daily pay, will cover their subsistence and lodging. The necessary arrangement for fire and light will be made by the Officer Commanding and Assistant Commissioner of Mounted Police.

(C) After enrolment a report for orders will be made to the Officer Commanding at Calgary, who will arrange for the men and horses being moved to the place of concentration.

(D) Officers will pay all expenses out of the imprest sent them by the Commanding Officer, furnishing afterwards receipts in duplicate, for all expenditure incurred by them under these instructions.

Service to Count:

The Non-Commissioned Officers and Men of the Permanent Force and of the N.W. Mounted Police will be allowed to count their service in this Corps as a portion of the period of their enlistment in the Permanent Force or in the N.W. Mounted Police.

Men enroled to join in uniforms of their Corps:

Militiamen and members of the N.W. Mounted Police who enrolled will join in there uniform which, if necessary, they will demand from the Officer in Command or their Corps, giving a receipt for the same. This receipt will be the voucher for striking off uniforms, thus issued, from their charge.

Drill & Organization:

The Drill will be that laid down for Mounted Infantry and Cavalry (Cavalry Drill 1898) which will be found embodied in the Manual of Drill for Mounted Troops, a limited number of copies which will be supplied.

Organization and Administration in accordance with the above and the Queen's Regulations.

Free Issue to Officers

Officers appointed to this force will be provided with the following articles free:-

2 Serge Frocks, Rifle or Blue
2 Pair Serge Trousers, Rifle or Blue
2 Khaki Frocks
2 Pair Khaki Pants
1 Pair Cloth Pants
1 Revolver and Ammunition

Officers will affix the necessary badges of their rank to their serges. "Sam Brown" belts will be worn.

Arms The following will be the arms carried by the men:-

1 Lee-Enfield, .303 Rifle
1 Sword Bayonet
1 .44 Colt Revolver

Provisional Field Service Manuals showing the Equipment required, and how carried, will be issued, 1 copy per Officer and 1 copy per Squadron.

Instructions for Fitting Clothing and Size Rolls:

To insure the proper fitting of clothing, head-gear and boots, Officers commanding squadrons will send in at the end of each day to the Chief Staff Officer, Ottawa, size rolls for the volunteers enrolled. These size rolls will give height of men, the measurement of chest and waist and circumference of head and size of boots, according to the following instructions.

A. The height to be in stocking feet.

B. The breast measurement is to be taken by a measuring tape over the trousers and drawn fairly tight.

C. The height, breast and waist measurement are to be carefully made, so as to be as accurate as possible, as the garments will be made considerably looser than the measurements.

D. For taking the head measurement of the helmet, a hat which fits the man should be measured and not the man's head. Field Service Caps will be issued in sizes half an inch larger than the helmets.

E. The size of the boots generally worn is to be given. Demands will be met from a supply that will be in store at the place of concentration. Should it be found necessary in, some cases to provide insoles, one pair will be issued with the boots.

Nominal Roll:

A nominal roll of N.C. Officers and men will be prepared immediately after the concentration at Ottawa is completed, on forms to be provided for the purpose. The attestation papers will be sent to the Officer Commanding Regiment at the place of concentration for guidance in the preparation of the nominal roll. After the nominal roll has been prepared they will be returned to the Commissioner of the N.W.M. Police, Regina.

Assignment of Pay:

Officers, N.C. Officers and Men may assign their pay to dependants upon them to the amount of 20 days pay per pay month.

Forms for this purpose will be provided, which will be filled out, in duplicate after the concentration of the Corps at Ottawa and two copies of this form will be forwarded to Chief Staff Officer, Militia Head-Quarters, signed by the Officer Commanding in adjusting his accounts with the department.

Commissoned Officers:

Officers holding commissions will be permitted to enrol in this force but before being attested they will be required to tender their resignation, enrolment. Officers commanding corps will not make recommendations for filling the vacancies thus caused , pending further orders.

Grant and Advance Pay:

A grant of $150.-, will be made to each officer defraying the expense of outfit. An advance of pay $80.-, will also be issued to each Officer. These amounts will be paid as soon as Officers' Appointment are notified in Militia Orders.

Correspondence:

To ensure prompt action, all correspondence, including requisitions and claims in connection with this corps will be marked "Strathcona" in red in the upper right hand corner. Envelopes covering the correspondence will be similarly marked.

Ammunition:

Five Hundred (500) rounds per rifle of Mark 3.a.a. ammunition will be supplied, Fifty Thousand (50,000) rounds per Maxim Gun will also be supplied.

Equipment Regimental Picketing, and Camp gear.

Regimental equipment, including camp equipment complete, picketing gear, horse shoes (3 months supply), blankets excepted, will be placed on board ship. The Camp equipment should be so stored that it can be easily got at upon arrival in South Africa.

Saddlery

Saddlery will be issued at place of concentration. It will be packed for shipment to Halifax and for placing on board ship in canvas sacks which will be provided for this purpose, marked with the Corps, letter of Squadron, number of troop and consecutive number of set. A reserve supply will be available at Halifax.

Transport Waggons:

Regimental and other transport waggons will be delivered direct and placed on board ship at Halifax.

Arms and Equipment

Arms and Eguipment will be issued at Halifax prior to embarkation.

Dubbing and Oil:

A considerable quantity of dubbing and oil will be available for issue at Halifax and a considerable reserve stock allotted for use on board ship.

Farrier's, Cobbler’s, Saddler’s Tools

(A) Complete sets of farrier's tools will be issued at Saddler's Ottawa, together with a proportion of horse shoes.

( Complete sets of saddler's tools will be issued at Ottawa, together with a stock of leather,

(C) Two sets of cobbler's tools with square leather will be provided.

(D) A complete set of tailor's requirements will be provided.

Kit, Clothing &c To be issued at place of concentration:

The undermentioned articles of Kit, Clothing &c will issued, article per man.

Frocks, Serge Green, with white collar and red braid..........2
Trousers, Pairs, Dark Green, with red stripe........................2
Frocks, Khaki, stand and fall collar......................................2
Pantaloons, Khaki, fully strapped, pairs...............................2
Ditto, , cloth, blue, winter use.............................................. 1
Putties, Khaki, Pair.............................................................. 1
Do. , Cloth, Black, pair.........................................................1
Long Boots, Special Pattern, Pair........................................1
Boots, Highlows, Pairs.........................................................2
Jumper, Sailors, Blue...........................................................1
Hat, Cowboy........................................................................1
Field Cap.............................................................................1
Tuque, (immediate use).......................................................1
Cloak...................................................................................1
Cape...................................................................................1
Waterproof Cloak (Officers Pattern)....................................1
Drawers, Pairs....................................................................2
Shirts, Flannel.....................................................................3
Belts, Flannel......................................................................2
Braces, Pairs......................................................................2
Socks, Pairs........................................................................2
Holdall, (Comb, Knife, Fork, Spoon)...................................1
Towels................................................................................2
Boot Laces, Pairs................................................................5
Pocket Handkerchiefs.........................................................2
Spurs, Jack (Mounted Men) Pairs.......................................1
Water Bottles......................................................................1
Haversacks.........................................................................1
Shoes, Canvas, Pairs.........................................................1
Clasp-Knife End Lanyard....................................................1
Mess-Tin, Cavalry Pattern...................................................1
House-Wife.........................................................................1
Tin of Grease......................................................................1
Curry Comb, Mounted Men.................................................1
Horse Brush, Ditto...............................................................1
Stable Sponge, Ditto...........................................................1
Hard Brush..........................................................................1
Cloth Brush.........................................................................1
Waterproof Sheet................................................................1
Blankets..............................................................................3
Strap for Bedding................................................................1
Rugs, Horse, 1 Per Horse...................................................1
Roller to Fasten Horse Clothing..........................................1
Saddle Covers, 1 Per Horse...............................................1
Hair Brush...........................................................................1

Arms and Accoutrements

Sword Bayonet with Frog....................1
Sling Rifle............................................1
Rifle, Lee-Enfield.................................1
Belts, Waist, Brown Leather................1
Revolver and Case..............................1
Bandolier.............................................1
Leather Strap for Waist Belt................1

Issue of Kit and Clothing:

The whole of the Kit, Clothing &c will be issued at Ottawa or forwarded to the place of embarkation as arranged between the O.C. Corps and the Mil. Dep. Civil Branch.

Kit and Clothing:

The Officer Commanding will arrange for the issue of whatever clothing he may consider advisable for the use of the Corps under his command while at Ottawa, or on board ship. The balance will be conveyed to South Africa in bulk.

Blankets and Horse Blankets:

Four blankets per man will be issued at Ottawa for the use of troops prior to embarkation. These blankets will be conveyed on board ship for the use of the troops and the proportion not required upon arrival in the tropics will be returned to store on board and stowed away accordingly.

(A) A reserve supply of horse blankets and rollers will be required for the use of the horses upon embarkation. They will be issued prior to the horses being moved on board ship for those horses which have arrived from the North-West Territories, or elseware, unblanketed„

Clipping Machine:

Two hand clipping machines with a crank will be provided and placed on board ship.

Rifle Practice:

Arrangements for musketry instruction and for practice with Morris Tube will be provided on board ship.

Rations on Board Ship:

The scale of rations for Troops and forage for horses on board Sea-Going Transports has been approved and will be issued to all concerned.

Shipment of Baggage &c:

Attention is called to Queen's regulations 1898 para1497 for full reference to the shipment of baggage stores and all packages by Sea Transport:-

(A) Baggage in excess of the quantity allowed by regulations is forbidden.

( Each article must have distinctly marked on it the name, rank and corps of the owner, and on the top the nature of the contents such as "Personal baggage and stores", "Clothing", "Equipment".

Padlocks, cleats for rope handles and other projections which cause loss of stowage are forbidden.

(C) Heavy baggage of individuals should be forwarded to Halifax so as to arrive several days previous to embarkation.

(D) Each man is to take charge of his sea kit-bag and of his valise or other bags. While en route to Halifax he will have these articles in the car with him and not in the baggage car.

(E) Packages containing stores and equipment are to be marked:-

Canadian Special Service Force
Strathcona's Horse
South Africa

No.......................................
Contents.............................
Ship....................................
Owner................................

(F) Officers commanding Squadrons will arrange for the making of equipment and necessaries when issued. Stencils and materials for marking will be issued as soon as possible.

Travelling Expense Claims:

Travelling claims submitted by officers appointed to this Force may be payed out of the Imprests provided after correctness of the claims has been established. The claims will be certified to in the usual way, marked "paid" and rendered to the Accounts Department of Militia and Defence.

Date of Sailing:

The Corps when formed at Ottawa will be subsequently moved to Halifax and embark for South Africa at a date to be hereafter named, probably early in March.

By Order

Herbert Foster, Colonel,
Chief Staff Officer.