Operations in the Second Boer War Imperial Yeomanry

wounded soldiers @ imperial yeomanry hospital

due lack of numbers imperial yeomanry, war office expanded recruiting during months of 1901. recruits second contingent working class, opposed first contingent. received extremely poor training , shipped south africa (over 700 returned england because medically unsuitable or unlikely become efficient soldiers ). in total, 16,597 men recruited, including 655 re-enlisted.

the second contingent s first battle @ vlakfontein in may 1901. brigadier general dixon led force of 230 men 7th battalion, artillery, scottish horse, , men of derbyshires. around 500 boers attacked rear party, , yeomen fled after suffering 70 casualties. because of hasty retreat of yeomen, unsupported 4th derbyshires forced surrender. counter-attack scottish horse , king s own scottish borderers saved artillery pieces. due humiliating defeat, imperial yeomanry’s reputation adversely affected , suitability questioned in parliament.

by september 1901, second contingent had improved immensely, demonstrated skirmish near rustenburg. men of 5th , 9th battalions fought off attack on column, losing 12 dead.

as war progressed, british government planned reduce number of imperial yeomen. however, recruits being raised december have time adequate training (although arrived right before war ended, , had little impact).

the worst disaster second contingent @ battle of groenkop (also known tweefontein) on 25 december 1901. 11th battalion caught off guard boers led general de wet. boers, higher position, fired tents of sleeping yeomen. casualties 68 killed, 121 wounded, , 600 taken prisoner.

on 25 february 1902 small skirmish occurred when boer general de la rey attacked , captured convoy @ yzerspruit. 5th battalion of imperial yeomanry left 28 dead , 34 wounded.

the last major battle battle of tweebosch on 7 march 1902, when column under control of methuen attacked 2000 boers artillery. colonial mounted troops fled, taking of imperial yeomanry them. regular troops left convoy had no chance, , ended 68 dead, 121 wounded , 600 taken prisoner.

on may 31, treaty of vereeniging signed, ended second boer war. happened third contingent arriving, although stayed in south africa long 1903 stabilize country.