These units comprised of British supporters who fought in colonial regiments raised locally in South Africa. Also men from the British colonies of Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Rhodesia travelled to South Africa in order to fight on the British side.
Several colonial units such as the Cape Mounted Rifles, Natal Carbineers and Victorian Mounted Rifles fought as mounted infantry. Many of the colonial soldiers were experienced horsemen and hunters, used to an outdoor life in their homelands, and made expert mounted infantrymen.
Brabant’s Horse
On 5 November 1899, Edward Yewd Brabant, Brigadier General of the Eastern Cape troops, raised the first Light Horse regiment known as Brabant’s Horse. A second regiment was raised the following month. This South African unit had a top strength of 600, all ranks, including South African colonials, Australians, British and Canadians. The two regiments saw much action against Boer commandos. Brabant’s Horse was disbanded in Cape Town on 31 December 1901.
British South Africa Police
This force did particularly valuable work. When war was declared their strength was 1,106 of all ranks, a useful body of trained horsemen and good shots. The bulk of the regiment was employed on the Rhodesian border and in the relief of Mafeking, while a detachment, 10 officers and 81 men, were already in the town and formed an important part of the garrison.
Cape Police
The role of this force was a very varied one throughout the war. At the start of the conflict the Cape Police were distributed as follows: Kimberley district 226, Mafeking 103, and scattered over Colony 430. Apart from their duties in regular warfare the Police had throughout the campaign to look after the numerous rebels and suspects, very many of whom they captured and brought in during January and February 1900.
Johannesburg Mounted Rifles
This corps was founded on 12th December 1900, possessed a strength of 600 and was commanded by Lt Col H K Stewart. A second battalion was raised in January 1901, under the command of Lt Col M A Warren. Towards the close of 1901 and during the first quarter of 1902 the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles were chiefly employed in the Ermelo district of the Transvaal. In May 1902 they crossed the Vaal and had some skirmishes in the Frankfort district of the Orange River Colony.
Kitchener’s Horse
In a despatch dated 6th February 1900 Lord Roberts, said: “Two other regiments, designated, at the particular request of the members, Roberts’ Horse and Kitchener’s Horse, have also been formed, chiefly from men who have found their way to South Africa from various parts of the world”.
The regiment fought at the Relief of Kimberley and then advanced to Bloemfontein.
The names of the men who served in these units are listed below