One squadron of Mounted Rifles sailed from New South Wales in November 1899, and three squadrons of Mounted Infantry on 17th January 1900. Another squadron of Mounted Infantry was formed from the infantry unit, 125 men, which sailed on 3rd November 1899. It has to be kept in view that the 1st contingent from New South Wales, as from several other colonies, would have been much larger,—more had been offered,—but over-wise directors of military affairs at home wired on 3rd October 1899 desiring two units, about 125 men each, from each of the larger colonies, and one unit from each of the smaller. It has become the fashion to blame the civilians in the Cabinet or War Office for undue preparation and the studied discouragement of Colonial or Volunteer assistance generally. The blame, if any, seems to rest on one man alone, the Commander-in-Chief in 1899—that is, on the assumption that his title or office meant anything; and if it did not, he should not have held it a day.
The squadron of Mounted Rifles, commanded by Captain J M Antill, was, on arrival upon 6th December 1899, taken to Orange River, and during December and January did useful work in that neighbourhood, being sent to garrison Prieska for a time when there was good reason to believe many of the inhabitants in that district were disloyal. The squadron of infantry which was converted into mounted infantry was, during December and January, its period of foot service, working in the Enslin neighbourhood along with the other units which composed the Australian Regiment of Infantry. Along with these other units it was taken to Naauwpoort, Central Cape Colony, in the end of January 1900, and was there served out with horses. Under Captain Legge, this squadron did good service in General Clements' operations, both in the retirement from the positions round Colesberg, in the fighting round Arundel, in the advance from Arundel to Colesberg and Norvals Pont, and on the march through the Orange Free State. (See 1st Victorian Contingent.) Lieutenant F A Dove was wounded on 26th February, and the squadron had losses on various occasions in this district.
The three squadrons of Mounted Infantry arrived in South Africa in time to take part, along with Antill's squadron of Mounted Rifles, in Lord Roberts' big operations for the relief of Kimberley and the capture of Bloemfontein. They were part of the brigade under Colonel Hannay which started from Orange River, marched to Ramdam, and following on the heels of General French's cavalry division, were the advance-guard of the great army after General French had branched off to Kimberley. When Cronje vacated his positions at Magersfontein and was discovered trekking eastward through the gap between General French's force and the main army, Colonel Hannay's Mounted Infantry was the first mounted force available for the pursuit. Colonel Hannay's men made every effort to drive in the Boer rear-guard, but as usual the latter was very skilfully commanded, successive positions being taken up and held to enable Cronje's convoy to get away. However, a good many waggons were either abandoned by the enemy through the animals being unable to proceed or were cut off by the Mounted Infantry. When the laager was discovered on the morning of the 18th Hannay's men again did excellent service, although both horses and men were utterly exhausted with the unceasing work of the previous seven days, during three of which they had had constant fighting. It will be remembered that General French had blocked Cronje's exits on the north and north-east. The infantry of the Vlth and IXth Divisions were on the west and southern sides of the laager, while Hannay was ordered by Lord Kitchener to take his men past the laager and attack from the east. After several assaults had been driven back by the terrible fire from the Boers in the hollows about the river-bed, Hannay was ordered to make one more desperate attempt to get in from the east side. That such an effort could succeed could scarcely have occurred to any one who had seen the deadly accuracy of the Boer fire when they were attacked across level ground suitable for the low trajectory of the modern rifle. However, Hannay obeyed the command, and was killed in this last desperate charge undertaken at the imperious desire of Lord Kitchener.
After the surrender of Cronje the NSW Mounted Infantry were in the 2nd Mounted Infantry Brigade commanded by Colonel P W J Le Gallais, under whom they did most excellent work in the battles of Poplar Grove and Driefontein on the way to Bloemfontein. On 6th March, near Osfontein, the Mounted Infantry had Lieutenant Holborrow and 3 men wounded. At Driefontein the squadron of Mounted Rifles had 1 killed and 4 wounded. Captain J M Antill gained mention in the despatch of 31st March. The strength of the NSW Mounted Infantry, including Antill's squadron, when they marched into Bloemfontein on 13th March 1900, was officially stated at 22 officers, 408 men, and 345 horses.
The regiment, under the command of Colonel G C Knight, was said to have done good work at the battle of Karee Siding on 29th March, when General Tucker's infantry, French's cavalry, and Le Gallais' brigade of mounted infantry cleared the hills north of Bloemfontein and opened the road to Brandfort. In April the regiment was in some of the engagements southeast of Bloemfontein.
For the advance to Pretoria the regiment was put into the 2nd Mounted Infantry corps under De Lisle, part of Ian Hamilton's army, but in the earlier stages, on account of the cavalry having been unable to take their appointed place on the left flank until after the army had started north, the NSW Mounted Infantry were detached from Hamilton and operated, under Hutton, with the other oversea Colonials (see Canadian Mounted Rifles and Royal Canadian Dragoons). After Kroonstad was left behind, De Lisle's corps, now including the NSW Mounted Infantry, took a very prominent part in the operations which culminated in the surrender of Pretoria. In the despatch of 14th August, para 22, Lord Roberts spoke of the Boers pressing the left flank and threatening the rear of his centre column, so he ordered Ian Hamilton, out on the left, to close in. "As soon as Ian Hamilton's troops came up and De Lisle's mounted infantry pushed well round the enemy's right flank, they fell back on Pretoria ... Shortly before dusk Lieutenant Colonel De Lisle, whose mounted infantry had followed up the enemy to within 2000 yards of Pretoria, sent an officer under a flag of truce to demand in my name the surrender of the town". The officer referred to was Lieutenant Watson of the NSW Mounted Infantry. The town was surrendered on the following day.
The regiment frequently had casualties throughout May, as at the crossing of the Zand, where they lost 8 men. On the 21st Lieutenant A J M Onslow was wounded.
The regiment was present, under De Lisle and Ian Hamilton, on the right, at the battle of Diamond Hill, 11th and 12th June 1900. Mr Paterson's excellent account of their very gallant work, reprinted in the War Record of the Inniskilling Dragoons, says: "Our mounted infantry, under Antill and Holmes, were ordered to advance over a lot of open country, and got possession of some kopjes outlying from the main hills. They made the advance in fine style, and got the hills on the first day without much trouble, although they were shelled as they went over". Next day they were ordered to drive the Boers off a steep rocky kopje on the extreme right. On the top of the hill Lieutenant Dragge was killed and Lieutenant W R Harrison mortally wounded. Captain Holmes and Sergeant Majors Baker and Baring were wounded. In Lord Roberts' telegram of 15th June he referred to the good work done by De Lisle's men, and in that of the 16th he said that Botha's army had "retired, and that the rear-guard was surprised and thoroughly routed by Ian Hamilton's mounted infantry, chiefly West Australians and 6th Battalion".
Towards the end of June Colonel De Lisle's mounted infantry were a part of the force which moved on Heidelberg, where the New South Wales men were engaged: thereafter part of the force re-crossed the Vaal, under Sir A Hunter, to endeavour to close in on the Boers in the Brandwater Basin. De Wet having broken through on 15th July, Broadwood's cavalry and Ridley's mounted infantry, of which Colonel De Lisle's corps was part, were detached by Sir A Hunter in pursuit (see Roberts' Horse). On the 19th there was a sharp fight at Palmietfontein, in which the NSW Mounted Infantry lost 3 men killed and Lieutenant Lucas Tooth and several men wounded. De Wet took refuge in the Reitzburg Hills, but broke across the Vaal on 6th - 7th August. De Lisle's mounted infantry and other troops followed, and continued the pursuit to the Megaliesberg, the New South Wales men suffering a few casualties on the way. After De Wet had got clear they assisted to relieve their fellow - Colonials under Hore at Elands River in August (see Rhodesia Regiment), one of the few casualties in the relieving force being Lieutenant Colonel De Lisle wounded. In the latter part of August and first half of September De Lisle's mounted infantry were operating under Clements in the Gats-rand and generally west of Pretoria. On 17th September they were railed to Rhenoster in the Orange River Colony, where they did a great deal of chasing and fighting. In an attempt to surround a Boer force at Elands Kop on 1st October, the contingent lost 2 men killed. They assisted to drive De Wet from the Reitzburg Hills to the north of the Vaal on 8th-9th October, and when he had re-crossed to the south they had an honourable share in the very successful actions at Rensburg and Parys Drifts, 27th October 1900, and Bothaville, 6th November 1900.
In his despatch of 15th November 1900, para 14, when dealing with the Bothaville action, Lord Roberts said: "On the 3rd November Le Gallais was again in touch with De Wet's scouts east of Bothaville, and on the night of the 5th surprised the Boer force three miles south of that place, and was heavily engaged for five hours, when he was reinforced by Charles Knox with De Lisle's mounted infantry. This was a most successful engagement, reflecting great credit on Major General Charles Knox and all serving with him, especially on the Australian and other mounted troops under Colonel Le Gallais and Lieutenant Colonel De Lisle, who must have felt themselves amply rewarded for the perseverance and energy they had displayed during the preceding weeks, which had been most harassing to all concerned". Lord Roberts then went on to detail the fruits of the victory: these included 6 field-guns, 1 pom-pom, 1 maxim, all the enemy's ammunition and waggons, and 100 prisoners; 25 dead and 30 wounded Boers were left on the field.
In his telegram of 3rd November 1900 Lord Roberts said: "One of the two guns taken from De Wet on the 27th October was a Krupp. It was captured by the New South Wales Mounted Infantry".
On 16th November 3 men of the Mounted Infantry were wounded at Rhenoster.
In Lord Roberts' telegram of 26th November 1900, he said: "De Lisle from Kroonstad reports that Colonel Fanshawe had a rear-guard action with about 60 Boers near Duinsfontein. One man of the NSW Mounted Rifles was killed. Fanshawe reports that Captain Watson performed a gallant act. Seeing Private Robinson, NSW Mounted Rifles, fall, he turned back and carried him out on his own horse under a hot fire". Captain Watson was an officer of the NSW Mounted Infantry. Most of the Mounted Rifles left South Africa before the end of 1900.
In January and February 1901 De Lisle, with some of the NSW Mounted Infantry and their old comrades the 6th Battalion Mounted Infantry (regulars), was doing very fine work in the Piquetberg-Clanwilliam district of Cape Colony,—work which greatly contributed to persuade the enemy of the hopelessness of any attempt to reach Cape Town or to get arms or ammunition from the sea-coast. The work of the NSW men was over and over again most highly praised by the Press Association correspondent who accompanied the column on its march through very difficult country about the Roggeveld mountains. In order to turn a pass Captain Bennett led his men during darkness over a high mountain, climbing a very steep face for nearly 2000 feet. On another occasion the column did 72 miles in forty-eight hours in a district almost waterless. Writing on 25th January 1901, the Press Association correspondent remarked that the Intelligence officer of the column was Captain Legge, Colonel De Lisle's galloper was Captain Watson, while the Supply officer was Lieutenant Osborne—all NSW officers. He said the work of all three was excellent, and the column the best fed he had been with. This latter fact may account for some of the praise. On the 19th February, the anniversary of the landing of the 2nd contingent, Colonel De Lisle addressed them. He could not have spoken in more flattering terms of them and their comrades the 1st Contingent NSW Mounted Infantry.
On 31st March 1901 the last of the 1st and 2nd Contingents of NSW Mounted Infantry sailed for home.
Click on the icon to read the account of this unit from Lt Col P L Murray's 1911 'Official Records of the Australian Military Contingents to the War in South Africa' 
Source: P L Murray
This was originally a draft from the regiment of New South Wales Mounted Rifles, which had been in existence for some years before the war, and served upon the partial-payment system. It still figures in the Army list as the 2nd Australian Light Horse, "New South Wales Mounted Rifles," on the Militia establishment.* The squadron comprised a picked body of especially smart men ; good shots and daring riders, excellently mounted ; and it did exceptional service during the war.
The establishment authorized in the first instance was as for Lancers, omitting " Major " and substituting 93 privates for 97.
The squadron at first consisted of 4 officers and 100 others, with 104 horses and 3 carts. It was despatched on 3rd November, 1899, and was shortly afterwards followed by a draft of 25 sergeants and rank and file, with 25 horses. One medical officer joined in South Africa, and 6 men were enrolled there. Of these details, 8 were killed or died, 5 were struck off the strength in South Africa, 1 officer was commissioned in the Imperial Army, and 2 men were sent back respectively from Albany and Cape Town ; 4 officers and 113 men returned to Australia.
Subsequent to the departure of the squadron, however, a second Contingent had been formed, comprising " B," " C," and " D " Squadrons, " 1st Regiment, New South Wales Mounted Rifles," despatched on 17th January, 1900 {vide record). The first Contingent, consisting of the squadron now referred to, and a company of Infantry {vide record) which left in the same ship, became absorbed as " A " and " E " squadrons respectively of this regiment; the company being mounted at the seat of war.
As already stated, the squadron embarked at Sydney on the transport Aberdeen, 3rd November, 1899, arrived at Cape Town on 6th December, and disembarked on the following day. Embarked again at Cape Town on the Transport Orient. 13th December, 1900, called at Albany and Melbourne, arrived at Sydney, and disembarked, 8th January, 1901.
References to Orders.
Formation G.O., N.S.W., 107/99
Pay and Allowances 107/99, 112/99, 88/00
Command 116/99
Conditions of Service 107/99
Officers 110/99
Establishment 108/99
Embarkation 116/99, 123/99, 124/99
Clothing, Etc.
Uniform consisted of brown F.S. jackets and pants, with puttees and hats. Arms and equipment.—M.E. rifles and long bayonet, bandolier and cartridge-belt, with supporting braces.
Fully horsed and provided with saddles. Regimental transport was also provided.
Promotions.
The following officers were promoted or appointed in South Africa :—Captain J. M. Antill to Major; Lieutenant A. A. McLean to Captain. Corporal C. A. Lee, Sergeant H. Mcintosh, and Q.M.S. J. Newman : each to Lieutenant. For promotions amongst the N.C. officers and men, see Nominal Roll.
"War Services and Honours.
Antill, Major J. M. (Brevet Liout.-Colonel). Relief of Kimberley. Operations in Orange Free State, Transvaal, and Orange River Colony, from February to 30th November, 1900. Actions at Paardeburg, Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, Vet River, Zand River, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Diamond Hill, Eland's River, Venterskroon, and Wittebergen. London Gazette, 8th February, and 16th April, 1901. C.B. Queen's Medal with seven clasps. (Major Antill served subsequently with 2nd New South Wales Mounted Rifles in Transvaal and Orange River Colony, April to August, 1901.)
McLean, Capt. A. A. (Hon. Major). Relief of Kimberley. Operations and actions as stated, except Bothaville in place of Venterskroon. (Captain McLean served subsequently in Transvaal and Orange River Colony between April, 1901, and April, 1902.) London Gazelle, 27th September, 1901. D.S.O. Queen's Medal with seven clasps. King's Medal with two clasps.
Onslow, Lieutenant A. J. M. Relief of Kimberley. Operations in Orange Free State, February to May, 1900. Actions at Paardeburg, Poplar Grove, Dreifontein, Karee Siding, Vet River, and Zand River. Severely wounded at Groofc Vlei, 21st May, 1900. Queen's Medal with three clasps.
Tooth, Lieutenant D. K. L. Relief of Kimberley. Operations and actions as for Major Antill, except subsequent service. Wounded at Palmeitfontein, 19th July, 1900. Mentioned in despatches, 28th August, 1900. Queen's Medal with seven clasps. Commissioned in 9th Lancers.
McDonnell, Lieutenant (Surgeon) E. P. See Army Medical Corps.
Principal Operations.
Left De Aar 30th December, 1899, with Colonel Alderson, for Prieska, to cope with a rising of rebels in the district.
3rd January, 1900.—Colonel Alderson returned to De Aar. leaving the New South Wales Mounted Rifles with a small detachment of the Remington Guides to take charge of the township and district (strength 130).
13th January.—Owing to a large force of Boers (estimated 800) attacking, retired towards De Aar ; were reinforced by Colonel Alderson, and again advanced on Prieska, and after remaining a short time, marched to Orange River station.
Unit was sent to a farm at Ramah, about 15 miles east of Orange River station, to clear the Boers from the locality, where it remained till 10th February, when it was taken over by Colonel Hannay, and after fighting a severe action near Ramah, as the rear guard to Lord Roberts' column, advanced with the latter through Ram-dam and Jacobsdal to Klip Drift; where, following French's force to the relief of Kimberley, it was engaged with Cronje's army on 16th February.
Was detailed on the following day to follow Cronje, and located his laager at noon at Paardeburg, sustaining some casualties. Paardeburg followed; the commanding officer (Colonel Hannay) being killed.
On the surrender of General Cronje, the New South Wales Mounted Rifles were personally detailed by Lord Roberts to take over his laager and prisoners. It was then attached to Colonel Le Gallais' command, and joined by Colonel Knight, with the 2nd Contingent at Osfontein, 5th March. Took part in the engagements at Abrahams Kraal and Dreifontein and the march to Bloemfontein, which was reached on 14th March.
Marched to the Glen and engaged the enemy on 29th March; remained here until Ist May on outpost duty, and joined General Hutton, being part of the 2nd Corps (Colonel De Lisle). Occupied Brandfort, and present at the engagements at Vet River, and an important reconnaissance of Botha's army at Zand River, followed by a fight at Ventersburg-road on the 10th May. On arrival at
Kroonstadt on the 12 th May, were taken from General Hutton and attached to General Ian Hamilton ; marching on the 15th May through Lindley and Heilbron to the Vaal River, which was crossed on 25th May.
Engaged with the enemy at Johannesburg on 28th May, and occupied the city next day. Marched on Pretoria, 2nd June, and were the first troops to reach the city on the evening of 4th June, after some few hours opposition.
Marching through Irene, moved on and fought a severe battle at Diamond Hill on 11th and 12th June; casualties heavy, and the regiment specially mentioned in Divisional Orders by General Ian Hamilton. Followed Botha's army to Bronk-hurst Spruit, returning to Pretoria 16th June, from thence south to Heidelberg, which was taken on 23rd June ; and thence through Villiersdorp, Frankfort, and Reitz to Bethlehem on 9th June. Here De Wet was hiding in the rough country to the south, from whence he broke out on 17th June. Followed him generally north-west, with numerous rear-guard engagements, when he eventually got away to the railway at Roodeval, where he had passed the day previously, burned a train, and moved on to the Vaal.
Sent out by the General Officer Commanding as a contact squadron to recover touch with De Wet, he having been lost by the Cavalry, and located him 20 miles north-east at Vreedefort, where he was surrounded until 5th August, when, having moved north along the Vaal, the whole force of some five divisions chased him to the Megalesberg, through which at Oliphant's Nek he escaped on 15th August.
Moved westward by forced march, and relieved the Bushmen under Colonel Hore at Elands River on 16th August; thence again to Pretoria through Rustenburg on 25th August.
After taking part in sundry small reconnaissances in this district, the regiment was split into two, one part moving along the railway through Middelberg to Machadodorp, and the remainder south, where it took part in the severe fight at Rustenburg Drift, the regiment capturing a Krupp from De Wet (sent to New South Wales by the Commander-in-Chief); and to Bothaville, where there was a severe fight on 6th November. A large number of Boers were killed and taken prisoners; all their waggons, three Krupps, one 15-pounder, one 12-pounder, a Pom-pom and a Maxim were captured. Reached Kroonstadt on 17th November, joined by the remainder of the Contingent which had come from Machadodorp ; entrained to Cape Town, and embarked for Sydney 13th December, Lord Milner and several Generals coming to the transport {Orient) to say good-bye. Reached Sydney and disbanded 8th January, 1901. The Contingent lost no horses on their voyage to South Africa. No men were taken prisoners during the campaign. Its strength was 130. Its honours were :—One C.B.; one D.S.O.; three D.C.M.'s.
Corps Order by Colonel H. B. De Lisle (2nd Mounted Infantry.) 109. Elands River Station, 13th June, 1900.
General Hamilton Commanding the Force has desired the Commandant to express to all ranks of the 2nd Corps and the Pom-Pom Section " A " his congratulations on their achievement on the evening of the 12th instant at Diamond Hill, of which he has made a special report to the Field Marshal Commander-in-Chief. In publishing this, the Commandant wishes to express his high appreciation of th. way Captain Antill and the New South Wales Mounted Rifles advanced to take the hill yesterday, and the gallant way the regiment pushed forward beyond the crest under a murderous fire. He deeply regrets the casualties and especially the death of Lieutenant Drage, when bravely leading his men.
By order,
R. FANSHAW, Captain,
S.O. De Lisle's Corps.
Copy of Letter from General Ridley, Commanding 2nd Brigade, Mounted Infantry.
My dear Antill,
I cannot let you leave the country without telling how much I have appreciated the services of yourself and your men. Their gallantry, endurance, and cheeriness under very great stress have been beyond praise, and their skilful handling was admirable. Please remember me to all officers. I shall be glad to assist any of them, as far as I can, especially in any way to further any ideas they may have of making a career in this country.
Yours very sincerely,
C RIDLEY, Brigadier-General,
2nd Brigade Mounted Infantry.
Copy of Letter from General Alderson, Commanding Mounted Infantry.
Major J. M. Antill, New South Wales Mounted Infantry, has been under my command on several occasions during the past year, and I have been much impressed with the way in which he has handled and managed his men. I consider that his Contingent has been more under control and in hand than any of the Colonial troops I have seen.
Major Antill is a dashing and capable leader in action, and remarkably cool under fire. I have personally seen him carry out some difficult and dangerous tasks with great success. I am extremely sorry Major Antill and the 1st Contingent New South Wales Mounted Rifles are now leaving my command, and I am very glad to have been able to bring his services especially to the notice of the Field Marshal Commander-in-Chief.
E. A. S. ALDERSON, Brigadier-General,
Commanding Mounted Infantry Brigade.
Pretoria, 16/11/1900.
The majority of the Contingent earned the following clasps :—(1) Relief of Kimberley, (2) Paardeburg, (3) Dreifontein, (4) Johannesburg, (5) Diamond Hill, (6) Wittebergen.
Extracts from Diary of Captain J. M. Antill, New South Wales Mounted Rifles.
Honwater, 16/1/1900.—My last letter advised departure from De Aar through to Prieska on 30th ult. The column consisted of 80 mounted rifles, one company mounted infantry, one troop Remington's Guides, and two Maxim guns. The march (135 to 140 miles) was done in three days. The water is scarce in this district, necessitating fixed stages. Arrived within 15 miles of Prieska on the Orange River on the evening of the 3rd, finishing our march by 4 a.m. next day. Colonel Alderson in command, directed me to at once occupy the southern bank—the northern being in possession of the rebels—and to attack immediately they made their appearance, which was expected to be at sunrise (5 a.m.) At daylight some twenty of them showed and after a smart fire for some 20 minutes, in which five of them were wounded, they decamped, over the mountainous country towards Griguatown. I crossed over on foot, and pursued them on foot, with a troop for some distance, but could not get near them. Returning to the huts occupied by them, secured a quantity of arms, ammunition, saddlery, &c, and found a Kaffir of their party badly wounded. Started to-day to make " dampers " from wheat; bread unprocurable.
Omdraau Vlei, 22/1/1900.—Prieska having been attacked by rebels on the 13th, I retired to this place (about 40 miles south), and here I await reinforcements which arrive to-morrow from De Aar. Our relief consists of a battery R.A., one squadron of Imperial Light Horse, two companies infantry, and two companies mounted infantry. I was, fortunately, able to effect retirement without loss of life or mishap ; but only evacuated Prieska lh hours before it was occupied by the Boers in large numbers. I also got my prisoners away to De Aar, as well as 1,000 sheep. The horses we took were much needed. The men are in splendid health, two only being exempt from work. I am very pleased to state the discipline is all that can be desired, and our commanding officer has expressed his (Colonel Alderson's) very great satisfaction with the work done by our squadron. The duties are arduous for so small a unit, there being 20 miles of front to watch. This means only about two nights a week in " bed." There are also three roads diverging from here to patrol. I greatly miss veterinary assistance, as the country teems with horse sickness.
Zand River, 8/5/1900.—During an engagement yesterday, in which I was in command of the advanced guard, on coming in contact with the enemy numbering 8,000 Boers, the following were wounded-:—Sergt.-Major McAlister, Corporal Osborne, Privates Tonkin, Mitchell, and McMillan. These casualties occurred at Zand River at railway crossing. The reconnaissance was for the purpose of gaining information of the enemy, and to prevent, if possible, his destroying the bridges and culverts on the railway line. General Hutton expressed himself as pleased with the manner in which the work was carried out by the New South Wales Mounted Rifles. The men of my unit (all ranks) have done most excellent work, and have earned commendation from the various officers under whom they have worked.
12/6/1900. We are now attached to Colonel Hannay's brigade, en route to Modder River. There has been continuous marching and fighting since I last wrote. Our squadrons have acted as advance guards right through and have taken part in almost every action, and have been conspicuously steady under fire.
