TOPIC:

The Maritzani Mounted Rifles were a very small unit with fewer than 20 medals named to them.

The Important Decision Book states: The officer commanding Bechuanaland Rifles reports that the Maritzani Mounted Rifles were attached to and paid by the Bechuanaland Rifles, from 1st September 1901 to 31st March 1902.

The unit was led by Lt Kent.

The QSA roll states they operated with the Bechuanaland Rifles in General Lord Methuen's column in Transvaal and Cape Colony. They received a War Gratuity of £36-10-0.



The QSA named to 10 Tpr M Keet, Maritzani M.R.

He was discharged 24 January 1902. Medal issued in 1911

Keet is a popular surname in South Africa and I am still trying to track him down.

A possibility is Matthew Keet, born 1880. An engine driver, he married in Kimberley 24 April 2928.

This presumes he has only one forename.

There is a man on the Humansdorp TG roll called M J Keet. A note queries whether this is the same man in the Maritzani MR and Mafeking DMT.

There is a man celled M Keet in the Kimberley Volunteers who served during the siege and was discharged medically unfit 4 April 1900.

There is a H Keet/Kent in the Mafeking DMT with a note saying 'Maritzani M Rifles (no trace)'. This is most likely Herbert Edward Kent who served in the siege of Mafeking and was still serving with the BSAP until April 1902.