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Interested members
Some time ago, a booklet entitled "The Corps of Cattle Rangers, Boer War 1899-1902" was published by Mostly Unsung here in OZ. Compiled by Lt/Col. Neil Smith, it provides a quite good summary of the unit and a listing of members found in the "sometimes patchy" records. I have found Smith's booklet to be of real use in researching a CofCR medal in my collection - as well as assisting Forum members with queries.
Without denying Neil Smith the fruits of his researching and publishing this any many other Boer War unit histories, perhaps he would not mind me giving some generalised data about the CofCR.
The unit was formed in April 1901 and operated mainly in the vicinity of Pretoria and areas. Smith further comments " ..... but it is evident that the CRs were never part of any tactical unit or even under the command of formations or columns". However, the CRs probably received "direction ... from the ASC".
Rate of pay was six shillings a day plus a percentage of the income from slaughter of cattle depending on how far the beasts had been driven. Smith gives the example that if a beast had been driven over twenty miles, the rate was 7.5%. The CofCR seems to have "petered out" by March, 1902.
Smith identifies 520 Rangers and at least sixty-five Australians (about 12%) are noted among them.
Persons interested in the CofCR might consider contacting Mostly Unsung and obtaining a copy of his booklet.
To conclude, IL has no financial interest in or with Mostly Unsung - merely availing himself of Smith's interesting series of booklets.
Regards
IL.

LinneyI wrote: Interested members
Some time ago, a booklet entitled "The Corps of Cattle Rangers, Boer War 1899-1902" was published by Mostly Unsung here in OZ. Compiled by Lt/Col. Neil Smith, it provides a quite good summary of the unit and a listing of members found in the "sometimes patchy" records. I have found Smith's booklet to be of real use in researching a CofCR medal in my collection - as well as assisting Forum members with queries.
Without denying Neil Smith the fruits of his researching and publishing this any many other Boer War unit histories, perhaps he would not mind me giving some generalised data about the CofCR.
The unit was formed in April 1901 and operated mainly in the vicinity of Pretoria and areas. Smith further comments " ..... but it is evident that the CRs were never part of any tactical unit or even under the command of formations or columns". However, the CRs probably received "direction ... from the ASC".
Rate of pay was six shillings a day plus a percentage of the income from slaughter of cattle depending on how far the beasts had been driven. Smith gives the example that if a beast had been driven over twenty miles, the rate was 7.5%. The CofCR seems to have "petered out" by March, 1902.
Smith identifies 520 Rangers and at least sixty-five Australians (about 12%) are noted among them.
Persons interested in the CofCR might consider contacting Mostly Unsung and obtaining a copy of his booklet.
To conclude, IL has no financial interest in or with Mostly Unsung - merely availing himself of Smith's interesting series of booklets.
Regards
IL.

As my Grandfather’s unit spent a lot of time in the Pretoria/ Belfast/ Carolina area it fits with his stories that he came across the Aussies several times during his stay. Thanks for the information.
Steve

Leslie McMaugh, of the Imperial Light Horse, then the Rand Rifles and Johannesburg Fire Brigade, and finally of the Cattle Rangers, wrote some letters home to Upper Macleay, New South Wales.

"Our corp is called the Cattle Rangers. We are not supposed to attack, only defend and capture the stock, and get six shillings per day and seven and a half per cent. in stock."

"We are clearing the stock off the farms near Harrismith. Last Sunday we were ordered out with a detachment of Yeomanry, and while trying to take some cattle the Boers came down on us, and we were soon in a very warm corner. The Boers had three positions and kept up an incessant fire for about three-quarters of an hour. We were then ordered to retire. My mare was tied to a barb-wire fence and had the reins fast, and when I came up behind her she kicked me on the knee. It took me ten minutes to get her loose and all the time the bullets were whistling round me. One bullet hit the wire against me, I don't know how I escaped being shot. Next day I applied for some more men and went again. The Boers were on the watch and when we got the stock together, opened fire in great style. It is marvellous how the bullets kicked up the dust around us and never killed a man. The most of the men I had made themselves scarce, but the K*****s and an Africander stuck to me, and I got the stock, some hundreds of sheep, goats and cattle. It is a new experience, indeed, driving cattle under fire. It was quite dark when we reached the town and we passed the lines without knowing it. A sentry ran up and demanded "why we did not answer the challenge and who we were." I felt very much amused, and asked him "did he think it was the Boers bringing in a mob of cattle, and how could we hear anything for all the noise." I got great praise from the Major for sticking to the stock and capturing them under fire."
[Both the above from The Macleay Chronicle, 29.8.1901]

Berenice
"P361 Ranger McMaugh, Leslie" aged 24, from McLeay River, NSW, enlisted Pretoria 12 Jun 1901 and discharged 7 Jan 1902.
Regards
IL.