A Canadian mounted rifleman at war, 1899-1902. The reminiscences of A.E. Hilder.

Hilder portrait

Edited by Professor Alan Morris, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Cape Town. ISBN: 0-9584112-7-1 A Canadian by birth and upbringing, Professor Morris has published extensively on the prehistoric and early historic peoples of souther Africa, but has also maintained an active interest in more modern South African historical events, including the Anglo-Boer War.

Albert Edward Hilder was determined to join the British and Allied forces in the Anglo-Boer War. After immigrating to Canada, he joined the Militia of the Royal Canadian Dragoons and volunteered for service when war was declared in October 1899, serving two tours of duty in South Africa in 1900 and 1902. Hilder's writings are rare accounts of the Canadian action in the war as seen from the perspective of the mounted infantry. No other substantial descriptions of these units have been published, despite the fact that these men made up over 50% of Canadian soldiers recruited to serve in the war.

On the 19th, our 2nd Troop was called out again for reconnaissance duty and, being numerically the strongest, had to do the advance guard going out and the rear-guard returning. We had no officer to look after us so Corporal Herriot paraded us to the Colonel. Colonel Lessard asked Corporal Herriot what the parade was about. He was told, in a few words, that our Troop, numbering twenty all told, was perfectly willing to continue fighting, but we wanted capable N.C.O.’s and an officer in charge of us, whom we could trust, but it was unfair for us to do all the dangerous work when the N.C.O.’s remained in camp¹¹. The Colonel asked Corporal Herriot if he and his men were willing to continue if the regiment were re-organized. Corporal Herriot replied that, under our enlistment oath, we agreed to serve six months, one year or longer, if required. He further said, he did not think we should be sent back to Canada when experienced mounted men were required so badly. He then mentioned the action of 7th November, in which we had lost our troop officer, two men wounded and five captured. Colonel Lessard replied that he was going down to Pretoria the following day and would decide what was to be done on his return.

Our 2nd Troop had seen more action than any other troop in the Regiment, it had been on the march for nearly eight months. Two men had died in hospital, two officers wounded, six men wounded and five taken prisoner and yet we were still fifty percent of our original strength on enlistment and twenty-five percent of the entire Regiment of A and B Squadrons. A record to be proud of.

After Corporal Herriot had marched us back to our lines, some of the regular N.C.O.’s came over and congratulated him on what he had done, but neither the R.S.M. nor the S.S.M. had made any efibrt to help us, claiming that Corporal Herriot had laid himself open for court martial. There was little love lost between us and the regular N.C.O?s.

Colonel Lessard returned three days later and told us that we had the choice of returning to Canada as a unit or we could enlist in the Canadian Scouts which was to be formed under Lt. 'Gat' Howard. Some of the regular .N.C.O.'s would get commissions but none of our officers were remaining. We decided to return to Canada. The new enlistment plan did not appeal to us. We ought that the Strathcona Horse, A, B, C and D Squadrons should be organized into six squadrons and re-inforcements sent out from Canada to keep the newly formed force up to strength. Instead, with the exception of a mere handful, all the Canadian troops in South Africa were sent home. Such folly, when experienced men were so badly needed. But it may have been a question of seniority among the mounted men, Colonel Lessard, Colonel vans and Colonel Steele, all in command of regiments, two would have d to step down. This might have been the reason.

A number of men were still wearing beards, many had not shaven for eight months, so orders were given for the men to shave, and there would be an inspection. Private A. Hood was very proud of his beard and moustache, but orders were orders, so he persuaded Private McKelvie to be his barber, but not cut off his moustache, which he kept trimmed to sharp points. McKelvie proceeded with shaving off the beard and then completely snipped off the left side of Hood’s moustache. For some reason, Hood did not realize what had happened until, going to his tent, he was met by loud laughter from his comrades. He assumed that his appearance was so changed with his beard off, until one of the men asked him to look in a hand mirror hanging on the tent pole. Only then did he discover what had happened. It took the efforts of three men to stop him for going after McKelvie with a loaded rifle. Some of the other men remarked, ‘Who hit you in the face, Hood?" So he had to shave off the other side and, with his hair clipped short, his entire appearance was changed.