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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 642

(x) Bethune's Mounted Infantry

Raised in Durban in October 1899, by Major E. C. Bethune, 16th Lancers, the corps quickly enjoyed success on patrol work; in his despatch of 30 March 1900, General Buller, in mentioning Major Bethune, said 'He proved himself to be an excellent commander of irregular horse. He has acted with great skill and judgment when in command of a detached force.'

In May 1900, Buller commenced his movement to turn the Boer position on the Biggarsberg, utilising five Squadrons of Bethune's Mounted Infantry, supported by a Squadron of Umvoti Mounted Rifles and artillery. Advancing at night up the pass, the operation was a considerable success. The enemy made a poor defence and fled, pursued by the Colonial mounted troops. Natal was, almost without loss, cleared of the enemy, and Laing's Nek was turned by the battle of Alleman's Nek on 11 June.

The corps continued to experience considerable success, with one notable exception, namely an ambush on one of its squadrons on 20 May 1900, six miles south of Vryheid: three officers and 26 N.C.O.s and men were killed and a further 30 wounded. The unit ended the war 'everlastingly pursuing' Boer Commandos under Kritzinger, Myburg, and other leaders, facing their final significant engagement against General Smuts at Stavelberg in the Eastern Province of Cape Colony, on which occasion it suffered loses of seven killed and six wounded.

Pair: Sergeant W. Hubard, Bethune's Mounted Infantry

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (720 Serjt: W. Huband. Bethune's M.I.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (720 Serjt: W. Huband. Bethune's M.I.), edge nick to second, very fine and better (2)

William Huband attested for Bethune's Mounted Infantry on 16 January 1900; sold with copied attestation document and Medal & clasp verification.

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Sold for
£180