SOUVENIR OF DEPARTURE - NEW ZEALAND ROUGH RIDERS

Left Canterbury for South Africa February 1900

A heart shaped pictorial card (80 x70mm) with a red and blue ribbon threaded through at the top with the words: Our hearts are with you.

The Third and the Fourth Contingents were known as the Rough Riders:

Third Contingent Departed: 17 February 1900 from Lyttelton Total strength: 262 The idea of a Third Contingent was initiated by the Mayor of Christchurch who, along with a group of businessmen, offered to organise the contingent on behalf of the government. Based at a training camp in Christchurch, the Third Contingent was supported by funds raised by a local committee. The contingent was comprised of two companies, one from Canterbury and one drawn from the Hawke’s Bay, Whanganui, Taranaki and Manawatu regions. https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/nz-units-south-africa/the-contingents#3rd

For further information about the Third Contingent see: https://angloboerwar.com/unit-information/new-zealand-units/416-new-zealand-3rd-contingent

Fourth Contingent Departed: 24 March 1900 from Port Chalmers; 31 March 1900 from Lyttelton Total strength: 462 In keeping with the idea of privately organised contingents, a committee of Otago businessmen also began to raise support for an Otago-based contingent. The Fourth Contingent was divided into four companies: No. 9 and No. 10 from Otago and Southland, and No. 7 and No. 8 from the North Island. As a result the 'Dandy Fourth' had two commanders, with Major Frederick Francis commanding the Otago and Southland companies and Major Joe Sommerville in charge of the other two companies. Together with the Third Contingent they were known as the Rough Riders. https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/nz-units-south-africa/the-contingents#4th

For further information about the Fourth Contingent see: https://angloboerwar.com/unit-information/new-zealand-units/417-new-zealand-4th-contingent