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Subject: On foot or on horseback ? Wed Feb 06, 2013 7:36 pm
Hi everyone
What were the criteria for deciding that a British Imperial Infantryman would be designated to serve in the mounted infantry of his battalion ?
Cheers
Pascal
John
Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 58 Location : UK
Subject: Re: On foot or on horseback ? Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:53 pm
1) Could he ride a horse. 2) Could he load and shoot a rifle, while riding a horse.
That's it.
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: On foot or on horseback ? Thu Feb 07, 2013 5:13 am
Hi John
Knew that some riding before being soldiers, ok
But you think that among the Europeans who had never been soldiers, there were many who could load and shoot a rifle while riding a horse !
There was necessarily a more severe selection ...
Cheers
Pascal
Frank Allewell
Posts : 7663 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 73 Location : Cape Town South Africa
Subject: Re: On foot or on horseback ? Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:52 am
Did he own a horse?
Was he maried to a stable girl?
Pascal Im pretty sure it was a volunteer issue from the general ranks or even civilian life, from there they would have been trained in the discipline needed. Again I would assume for any one to volunteer they would have had some form of ability or skill.
Cheers
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: On foot or on horseback ? Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:02 am
Hello springbok9
Yes, when a guy committed in the infantry he was asked if he knew riding .
And if the guys of the mounted infantry, were the most resourceful of their battalion or the best shooters of their battalion ?
Example, the eight bodyguards of Wood at Hlobane were of the mounted infantry and all were great shooters ...
Cheers
Pascal
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: On foot or on horseback ? Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:11 am
Sprinbok9 ,in my opinion if he was maried to a british stable girl, like a mare, he was engaged in the Foreign Legion for safety
Cheers
Pascal
Frank Allewell
Posts : 7663 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 73 Location : Cape Town South Africa
Subject: Re: On foot or on horseback ? Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:54 am
Pascal
Guest Guest
Subject: Re: On foot or on horseback ? Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:03 pm