Historical information

Australia informed Great Britain that would likely support the enlistment of volunteers to South Africa. The Victorian Commandant, Major General Holled Smith, a veteran of the humiliation at Majuba Hill, publicly declared his support of the idea of an Australian force.The growing idea that an ability to ride and shoot, combined with some degree of military training, was the fore-runner for the Mounted Riflemen. In the late 1890s, Major General Sir Charles Holled Smith believed that mounted rifles were 'essentially the arm for Australia. They know the country to be operated over, and they can ride'.

Physical description

Individual image from photographed poster of tobacco and cigarette cards.