UNITS OF THE ZULU WAR 1879
Transvaal Rangers
This irregular cavalry unit of around 150 men was formed by commandant P.Raff. they were made up of all manner of adventures recruited from the Kimberley Diamond Fields. What’s interesting is that they came from all races and what they wore seems rather varied. They had a bad reputation in the press. They were originally nicknamed the Bulldogs and then the Kimberley Riff-Raaff after their leader. One news reporter described them as “mixed Hottentots and scum of the Diamond Fields was never collected together outside a prison wall.” They mostly worked on scouting missions but saw action with Woods coloumn at Hlobane and Khambula
Raaff in the spiked helmet showing the lack of uniformity with his men
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