A Cape Mounted Rifleman: Four Years' Service in South Africa During the Kaffir Wars, 1877-1881

Troopers in green on the veldt

After a period of service in West Africa, the author of this interesting book, finding himself at a loose end, decided to enlist as a policeman in South Africa. Much to his annoyance, and that of many of his fellow recruits, he soon found himself declared to be a soldier instead-as a trooper of the Cape Mounted Rifles. In the late 1870s relationships between the European settlers of the Cape and the indigenous Kaffir tribes were once again coming to a head as the tribes felt the force of impending doom for their way of life and the inevitable loss of ownership of their traditional lands that would follow. The author saw four turbulent years of service on the Cape frontier engaged on campaign and in outright battle that was as savage and uncompromising as any of the period. This book is a vital first hand account for anyone interested in these riveting events. Recommended. Available in soft and hard cover.