With the system so long in vogue, it followed that the majority of the Natal troops (including Reserves) which took part in the Rebellion had, at one time or another, been trained as Cadets in the rudiments of soldiery. It was largely due to having had such experience that the men were as generally efficient as they were.
FOOTNOTES:
[47] It is, moreover, not unreasonable to suppose that the Union Government found the example of Natal of considerable assistance when passing its already well-known Defence Act of 1911.
[48] Commandant of Militia (Brig. Gen. Leader), Annual Report. See note, p. 45, where it is shown that a much larger number volunteered for service.
[49] Regulations, No. 110.
[50] The Act did not, however, come into force until March, 1904.
[51] Act No. 30, 1905, sec. 1 substituted "Colonel" for "Major-General."
[52] The members of the Cabinet were: C.J. Smythe, Prime Minister and Colonial Secretary; J.G. Maydon, Railways and Harbours; T. Hyslop, Treasurer; T. Watt, Justice (including Defence) and Education; H.D. Winter, Native Affairs and Public Works; and W.F. Clayton, Agriculture.
[53] Up to June, 1900, however, the approximate number of officers and men raised in Natal (inclusive of local Volunteer corps) was 9,500. Of those who did not belong to local corps, many, besides Natalians, were men from England, Transvaal, Orange Free State, etc., temporarily resident within the Colony.
[54] Col. Bru-de-Wold first entered the Natal Volunteer forces as a trooper in 1873. He served throughout the Zulu War of 1879 (medal with clasp) and the Boer War, 1899-1902 (twice mentioned in dispatches, Queen's and King's medals with three clasps). By the end of the latter war he had risen to the rank of Major. He was awarded C.M.G. in 1900, in recognition of special services rendered by him during the Boer War.