South African units

Bushmanland Borderers

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This was, when first raised in 1901, a small corps about 100 strong, nearly all half-castes, who proved themselves excellent scouts and plucky fighters. They were stationed at Tontelbosch Kolk, and were the main part of the garrison when that place was attacked in November and December 1901. The enemy was strong and vigorous, and pressed their attack hard because they wanted the arms and ammunition in the place, but the spirit of the defence was all that could be desired, and the post was held until reinforcements approached.

In 1902 the corps was raised to 600 strong, and Lieutenant Soames got the rank of Major. Their work all through was very much akin to that of the Border Scouts, to which reference is made.

The composition of the Borderers was raised in parliament in 1903:

Bushmanland Borderers Regiment. HC Deb 02 March 1903 vol 118 c1104 1104

MR. CORRIE GRANT (Warwickshire, Rugby) I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the statement made in the Cape Parliament on 31st October, 1902, by the Attorney General, Mr. Graham, that the Bushmanland Borderers Regiment was raised by the Imperial Government, and to the statement of Mr. Merriman on the same occasion, that the Bushmanland Borderers had committed outrages, and that two of them were in gaol at Malmesbury; and will he state what proportion of this corps were coloured men, and by whose orders they were enlisted and armed.

MR. BRODRICK The Bushmanland Borderers was raised for local service in Cape Colony at the recommendation of the Premier of Cape Colony, their employment being specially restricted to the defence of their own locality and property in case of need, and they were consequently not enrolled for general service. I am not aware of the proportion of coloured men in its ranks. I must point out that the expression "coloured men" is commonly used in South Africa to mean half-castes, not natives, and many of such half-castes are on the electorate roll of Cape Colony.

The Mentions gained were:—

LORD KITCHENER'S DESPATCHES: 8th March 1902.—Lieutenants E N Woolf, A Soames, T W K Stephens, for good service in defence of Tontelbosch Kolk, November 25 to December 3. Corporal Cloete particularly distinguished himself in same defence.
1st June 1902.—Trooper Jan Scheepers, promoted Corporal, for gallantry in Calvinia district, 5th February; when called on to surrender at close range he opened fire, killing 2 Boers and wounding 1, thereby enabling his dismounted comrade to escape on foot.
23rd June 1902.—Lieutenant H E Langfield; Sergeant W Shawe.

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(888 Records)

 Surname   Forename/inits   Regimental no   Rank   Notes 
AamanJanSource: Attestation paper in WO126
AamanJan38 TrooperSource: Nominal roll in WO127
AblorWilliam278 TrooperSource: Nominal roll in WO127
AbrahamBooiSource: Attestation paper in WO126
AbrahamBooi205 TrooperSource: Nominal roll in WO127
AdamsAlbert Augustus LieutenantSource: Nominal roll in WO127
AdrianBooiSource: Attestation paper in WO126
AdrianBooi172 TrooperSource: Nominal roll in WO127
AfricaPietSource: Attestation paper in WO126
AfricaPiet468 TrooperSource: Nominal roll in WO127
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Category: South African units
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