This corps, about 360 strong, was almost wholly recruited from half-castes. In the words of a British officer who, although not belonging to them, saw much of their work, "they were an excellent force, which did a great deal of hard patrol work under Colonel White, and had several stiff brushes with the enemy. They were conspicuous for consistently refusing to surrender when surrounded, as patrols were at times. They would keep up a fight till dark, and although half of them were killed the survivors of the party would escape. They made wonderful marches without water in their desert country". The work of the regiment was very similar to that of the Border Scouts. The corps was employed in their own district in 1901 and 1902, and had the good fortune to be part of the garrison of Ookiep when that town was besieged in April 1902. The force which held the town made a most excellent defence, and were complimented by Lord Kitchener. Lieutenant Watkinson was wounded at Ookiep on 13th April.
In March 1902 a detachment at Garies had fighting on various occasions. Lieutenant Darter was killed on the 18th and Squadron Quartermaster Bidmead on the following day.
The Mentions gained were as follows:—
LORD KITCHENER'S DESPATCH: 23rd June 1902.—Captain H G Maddison; Lieutenant Rich; Sergeant G Muller; Quartermaster Sergeant L S Panizza; Private B Links.
