Umvoti Mounted Rifles

This Natal unit was formed in October 1864 as the Greytown Mounted Rifles under Captain Commandant A.S. Wyndham with 32 members. They amalgamated with the Natal Husssars in 1869 and in 1887 with the Natal Carbineers becoming the Left Wing. In 1893 the Left Wing became the Umvoti Mounted Rifles commanded by Captain H. von Bulow and succeeded by Major Leuchers in 1898.

On the night of 29th September 1899 the UMR received notice to mobilise and by the 1st October the Regiment of 103 Officers, NCO’s and men moved out of Greytown and proceeded to the Buffalo river where they were to patrol and guard the right flank of the Dundee Column. After the battles of Dundee and Elandslaagte the Regiment proceeded to Tugela Ferry which they were to hold. Towards the end of the year they were supported by a detachment of Natal Police and a maxim gun. Their only serious engagement with the enemy was on the 23rd November 1899, lasted several hours and resulted in one UMR man wounded. Early in 1900 the regiment were reinforced by some Imperial Light Infantry and Bethunes Mounted Infantry.

Although the UMR were officially attached to the relief force they did not take part in any of the relief battles.