On foot or on horseback ?

Guest

Hi everyone

What were the criteria for deciding that a British Imperial Infantryman would be designated to serve in the mounted infantry of his battalion ?

Cheers

Pascal

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 62 Location : UK

1) Could he ride a horse.
2) Could he load and shoot a rifle, while riding a horse.

That's it. Salute

Guest

Hi John

Knew that some riding before being soldiers, ok

But you think that among the Europeans who had never been soldiers, there were many who could load and shoot a rifle while riding a horse !

There was necessarily a more severe selection ...

Cheers

Pascal

Subject: Re: On foot or on horseback ? Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:52 am

Did he own a horse?

Was he maried to a stable girl?

Pascal Im pretty sure it was a volunteer issue from the general ranks or even civilian life, from there they would have been trained in the discipline needed. Again I would assume for any one to volunteer they would have had some form of ability or skill.

Cheers

Guest

Hello springbok9

Yes, when a guy committed in the infantry he was asked if he knew riding Very Happy

.

And if the guys of the mounted infantry, were the most resourceful of their battalion or the best shooters of their battalion ?

Example, the eight bodyguards of Wood at Hlobane were of the mounted infantry and all were great shooters ...

Cheers

Pascal

Guest

Sprinbok9 ,in my opinion if he was maried to a british stable girl, like a mare, he was engaged in the Foreign Legion for safety Very Happy

Cheers

Pascal

Subject: Re: On foot or on horseback ? Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:54 am

Pascal

Guest

Why

Springbok9

» On foot or on horseback?
» South Africa Medal, 1877-79, 1 clasp, ‘1879’, to 2279 Pte. J. Casey, 91st Foot. (also Pte. 2086 in 10th Foot).
» Private J. Kelleher, 2nd Battalion 3rd Foot.