Hussars
Only one detachment of the 11th Hussars went to South Africa in 1899 and were in the siege of Ladysmith, the balance of the regiment were kept in Egypt.
The 13th Hussars were raised in 1715 as the Light dragoons to deal with the first Jacobite rising. Up to the second Anglo Boer War they fought in the Penninsular War and under Wellington at Waterloo. In the Crimean War they fought at Alma, Inkerman and Sevastapol but their greatest glory was as part of the Light Brigade at Balaklava.
The 13th Hussars left Liverpool on 12th November 1899 arriving in Durban at 3.30 on the afternoon of 5th December 1899. They entrained for Mooi River on 6th December and arrived at 3 am the following morning. From Mooi River they marched to Estcourt arriving on the 12th December 1899 where they joined Dundonald’s Cavalry Brigade along with the Royal Dragoons, Thornecroft’s Mounted Infantry, Bethunes Mounted Infantry, Natal Carbineers, the mounted Kings Royal Rifles, Imperial Light Horse and Natal Police. The regiment served with the relieving force and fought at the battles of Colenso, Vaalkrantz and the Breakthrough
Lieutenant General The Lord Baden Powell of Boy Scout Fame was one of the regiments most famous “sons”.
The 18th Hussars were formed in 1759, also as Light Dragoons, becoming Hussars in 1805. They saw action in the Penninsula War taking part in the retreat from Corunna. At Waterloo they took part in the final charge which sealed the defeat of the French cavalry. Thereafter they were disbanded and not reformed until 1858.
They arrived in Natal in September 1899 and served with the besieged forces under Major E.C. Knox and Captain The Honourable H.S. Davey and comprised 22 officers, 415 men, 335 horses, 132 mules, and 34 attendants. They fought at Dundee and Elandslaagte
Their casualties at the end of the siege were listed as 43 killed, 26 wounded, 5 died of wounds and 8 died of disease. In recognition of their services in the Boer War the Regiments was granted the title “Prince of Wales Own”.
In 1922 both Regiments were amalgamated to form the 13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary’s Own).
See Angloboerwar site for an in depth look at the regiment