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There were quite a few more distinctive hatbands or pagris. The Cape Colonial Forces introduced smasher hats in the 1890s, and a number of units adopted their own pagris, which were duly put into their dress regs. Those that I know of were :

Volunteer Force
- Bechuanaland Rifles : dark green (1898).
- Duke of Edinburgh's Own Volunteer Rifles : dark red and buff in diagonal stripes (1898).
- Stellenbosch Mounted Infantry : blue (1894).
- Transkei Mounted Rifles : blue and white spotted (1898).
- Worcester Volunteer Rifles : "scarlet and yellow twisted hatband" (1898).

Mounted Rifle Clubs
- X (N'Cera) MRC : blue with white spots (1898).
- XI (Kei Road) MRC : blue with white spots (1897).
- XIV (Prince Alfred's Hamlet) MRC : white (1898).
- XVIII (Lower Albany) MRC : white and scarlet (1898).
- XXIII (Nqamakwe) MRC : blue and red spots (1898).
- XXV (Engcobo) MRC : dark green (1898).

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 (26186 Pte. F. H. Raynor. C.C.C.C.)

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 (23715 Pte. A. E. Smith. C.C.C.C.)

Major Cyril Alexander Owen-Lewis, commander of the Cape Colony Cyclist Corps



Formally a Captain 5th Bn Royal Irish Fusiliers, He left England for South Africa where he took up politics and became Secretary of The British South Africa League working with Cecil Rhodes. When the War broke out, he joined the Cape Colony Cyclists' Corps. He was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: "C A Owen-Lewis, Major, Cape Colonial Cyclists' Corps. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa" One of the actions that earned him his decoration was in June 1900 when he rode alone to the  village  of  Mooiplats in Bechuanaland and some 30 miles from Vryburg the British base. He was escorted to the Boer leader and informed him that Pretoria had been captured and that their cause was lost and concluded by inviting him to lay down his arms. There followed a meeting of the Burghers at which they decided to surrender their arms and ammunition. Cyril returned to Vryburg in triumph with 30 Mausers and 1500 rounds of ammunition together with a number of the residents who then took an oath of neutrality.

When the War ended Cyril returned to politics and became Member for Beaufort West in the Cape Parliament. He died of pneumonia in London 1905.

From the City Coins auction, 4 November 2022

QSA (3) Cape Colony, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (23920 Pte P. Jeurson. C.C.C.C.);
BWM and AVM (bilingual) (Pte P. Jeurson 1st S.A.I.)

Peter Percy Jeurson born 28 November 1877 in Antwerp, Belgium served as No. 1566 Cape Town Highlanders then as No. 23920 in the Cape Colony Cyclist Corps. 16 October 1914 Percy Jeurson attested in the Cape Cyclist Corps and was released 11 June 1917. At age 40 taken on strength of 1 SAI and embarked at Cape Town per HMT Durham Castle 2 May 1918. Joined unit in France from 5 October 1918 to 9 March 1919. Discharged at Maitland (Cape) 20 August 1919.

Picture courtesy of C&T Auctions

QSA (2) Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 (34957 PTE. J. WENTZEL C.C.C.C.)

Hammer price £80