ABSTRACT
On 9 October 1899 Major Horne mobilised and assembled a group of RHA and RFA reinforcements, consisting of six officers, 390 NCO's and men, six horses at Woolwich for the journey from Chatham to Cape Town to join the South African Field Force. On arriving at Rensberg, a distance of 25 miles, Horne managed to get the animals and wagons off without accident, but it took a long time. Hornes started with General Marshall and Colonel Eustace very early each morning, riding out to the position so as to keep in with any alteration of plans. Meanwhile, on the morning of 15 February, the Cavalry Division marched, leaving the Ammunition Columns behind horseless, and, after a smart engagement with a portion of Cronje's army. A very daring man oeuvre by General French, passing his whole force across the front of the enemy, reached Kimberley that evening having met little opposition and accomplished its relief.
