TOPIC:

Matatiele is a small town in East Griqualand in the foothills of the western Drakensberg mountains, close to the border with Lesotho.

During the Boer War, local units comprised:

Matatiele Native Contingent
Matatiele European Reserve

See the posts on the Matatiele Native Contingent: www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...le-native-contingent
See the posts on the Matatiele European Reserve: www.angloboerwar.com/forum/11-research/2...pean-reserve?start=0

Tylden notes:

MATATIELE DISTRICT DEFENCE FORCE. 1901 to 1902. A corps raised for local defence during the S.A. War, with a strength of about 100 Europeans and 50 Natives, all mounted and carrying Martini-Metford .303 rifles. Though paid and equipped by the Cape Government, like the Wodehouse Yeomanry, they did not wear uniform, and are described by Hurst as being virtually a commando. They were known as "the Matatiele Lambs". The Commanding Officer was Major C. Tod, and the corps saw service as far afield as Barkly East District.