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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 694

(x) Imperial Light Horse

The Imperial Light Horse (I.L.H.), a regiment composed mainly of Uitlanders, quickly won the approbation of the military establishment, whilst The Times spoke of a 'corps d'elite'. Ten of its officers had been members of the Reform Committee and when recruiting for the I.L.H. started in September 1899, over 2000 men applied:

'The methods of selection were drastic and only the very best in every sense - horsemanship, shooting, character, physique - were accepted.'

The regiment was commanded by Colonel John James Scott Chisholme, a Regular Officer of the 5th Lancers, who agreed with General Hunter that they were the finest body of men that he had seen during his service but it was obvious that cavalry drill would be something of a problem:

'The first occasion the Regiment paraded as such before their new Colonel was on the well-known Fox Hills, Pietermaritzburg. When the order was given - 'Prepare to mount! Mount! - chaos resulted, the horses moving in all directions. The Colonel, raising his arms to heaven, exclaimed:
"My God! My God! My God!" (The Story of the Imperial Light Horse, refers).

Whatever the drill problems, the Imperial Light Horse became the most distinguished Irregular Regiment of the War, winning four Victoria Crosses and, unusually, being presented with a King's Colour. At Elandslaagte, the regiment's first battle, Scott Chisholme was killed leading a charge at the head of his men.

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Transvaal (347 Tpr: H. T. Harding. Imp: Lt: Horse), extremely fine

Hugh T. Harding served with the 2nd Imperial Light Horse from 28 November 1900 and died of disease at Piet Retief on 6 April 1901. He is commemorated on the Boer War Memorial, Saxonwold, Johannesburg.

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Sold for
£140