TOPIC:

Orders by Lt. Col. Steele
Commanding "Strathcona's Horse"
Green Point Camp, Capetown, South Africa

23rd April 1900

R.O. 418 – 23-04-1900

Detail for Tuesday 24th April 1900

Captain of the Day, Captain Cameron, C.W., of "B" Squadron, next for duty, Captain Cartwright, F.L.

Subaltern of the Day, Lieutenant Harper, F., of "A" Squadron, next for duty, Lieutenant MacDonald, J.F.

R.O. 419 – 23-04-1900

In view of the early departure of the regiment, everything possible must be gotten into readyness to move at a moments notice. The Q-Master will obtain through Major Bigger storage for all extra stores and baggage; all ammunition except 300 rounds per man will be turned over to the Ordnance department.

The Officer in Charge of the Maxim Guns will complete the equipment of the guns and men at once.

Any good strong active horses should be picked out from the transport horses for the maxim guns or for pack horses. All transport waggons over and above what will be required for the use of the regiment enroute must be handed over to the Director of Transport. Squadron Commanders will see that their mens kits are reduced to the regulation quantity laid down in "Scales of Equipment 11th March 1900", and that the proper quantity of warm under clothing (sweater, tugue &c) are taken by men.

R.O. 420 – 23-04-1900

A horse from each Squadron will be fitted up under the supervision of the Second-in-Command, ready for the march and shown to the Officers, N.C.O.'s and Men; to insure that a uniform system will be maintained throughout the regiment.

The regiment must be ready to appear mounted complete in every detail, here, hefore the G.O.C., any day this week.

R.O. 421 – 23-04-1900

Cloaks will be rolled to a length of 30 inches and strapped to the back of the saddle.

R.O. 422 – 23-04-1900

Attention is particularly drawn to R.O.416 as relates to armed parties, the manner and time to pay compliments to sentries which also relates to the manner and time to pay compliments to Officers, superior in rank to that held by the Officer in Charge of the armed party.

R.O. 423 – 23-04-1900

All N.C.O.'s when marching from here will put a spare head rope in their wallets.

R.O. 424 – 23-04-1900

ORDER 424 IS HEREBY CANCELLED

R.O. 425 – 23-04-1900

Transport for light baggage and two days food for a Cavalry regiment:

N.B. The sacle of forage is maximum the ordinary scale being only 12 lbs grain per horse.

Headquarters:

Strength: 7 Officers, 6 W.O. & Staff Sgts., 38 N.C.O.'s & Men, 53 Horses

Squadron:

Strength: 6 Officers, 2 Staff Sgts., 152 N.C.O.'s & Men, 161 Horses

Details of Baggage &c.

(a) Headquarters:

(1) Officers 6 x 35 + 50 = 260 Lbs / Mess: 7 x 10 + 20 = 90 Lbs (Total 350)

(2) W.O. & Staff Sgts. 6 x 18 = 108 Lbs

(3) N.C.O.'s & Men 38 x 10 = 380 Lbs

(4) Feed and Forage - 2 days rations for 51 @ 3.25 Lbs = 331.5 Lbs, 2 days forage @ 15 Lbs 53 Horses 1590 Lbs.

(5) Stores and Equipment:

4 Camp Kettles & 8 Lbs = 32 Lbs
2 Lanterns with Candles = 17 Lbs
Dubbing, 1 Month = 35 Lbs
Oil (Rifle Rangoon and Paraffin) = 10 Lbs
8 Hooks, Bill = 18 Lbs, 12 Oz
Butchers Impliments (2 Cases) = 62 Lbs
3 Saws (Jenon) 14" Buchery = 4 Lbs, 8 Oz
Horse Shoes 27 sets and Nails = 141 Lbs, 12 Oz
Tools Opening Packages = 4 Lbs, 14 Oz
2 Chests Tool #7 Complete = 192 Lbs
1 Forage Field, Complete = 482 Lbs
2 Vety Panniers = 474 Lbs
Medical Equipment = 497 Lbs, 4 Oz
Stationary = 25 Lbs
7 Buckets, G.S. = 4 Lbs. 3 Oz
Spring Balance 80 Lbs = 3 Lbs, 5 Oz
14 Coards, Forage = 7 Lbs, 14 Oz
2 Knives, Opening Tin = 1 Lb, 4 Oz

Total: 2012 Lbs, 12 Oz.

Transport Allowed, (for above):

(1) 350 Lbs - 1 Buck Wagon
(2) & (3) 488 Lbs - 1 Scotch Wagon or
(4) 1921 Lbs, 8 Oz - Qty 2 S.S. Wagons
(5) 2012 Lbs, 12 Oz - Mark VIII Wagon

Total: 4772 Lbs, 4 Oz.


(b) Squadron:

(1) Officers 7 x 55 = 245 Lbs / Mess: 7 x 10 + 20 = 90 Lbs (Total 335)

(2) Staff Sergeants 2 x 18 = 36 Lbs

(3) N.C.O.'s & Men 154 x 10 = 1540 Lbs

(4) Feed and Forage - 2 days rations for 154 @ 3.25 Lbs and 2 days forage @ 15 Lbs 161 Horses = Total 5830 1/4 Lbs.

(5) Stores and Equipment:

Balance Spring 80 Lbs = 3 Lbs, 5 Oz
1 Bar, Crow, 3'6" = 12 Lbs
Books etc. = 10 Lbs
2 Lanters and Candles - 1 Months Supply = 17 Lbs
12 Buckets, G.S. = 7 Lbs, 4 Oz
1 Case Tools & Materials Squadron Filled = 35 Lbs, 8 Oz
40 Cords Forage = 22 Lbs, 8 Oz
11 Hooks, Reaping, Large = 12 Lbs, 12 Oz
12 Camp Kettles = 96 Lbs
80 Sets Horse Shoes and Nails = 430 Lbs
2 Knives Opening Tins = 1 Lbs, 4 Oz

Total: 637 Lbs, 9 Oz.

Transport Allowed, (for above):

(1), (2), (3), (4), and (5) 8378 Lbs 13 Oz. - 3 Buck or 4 G.S. Wagon.

R.O. 426 – 23-04-1900

R.O. 424 – 23-04-1900 is hereby cancelled and the following substituted.

"B" Squadron will water from the tap at the end of their horse lines.

"A" Squadron from the tap at the end of their horse lines.

"C" Squadron from the same taps after "A" Squadron has watered.