Overall height: 19cm (7.5in)
Silver. Modelled as a CIV beside a rock in field service uniform, comprising ORs four pocket tunic with high collar, breeches, putties, boots and spurs, slouch hat with CIV pagri to the upturned brim, cavalry bandolier, Mark IV round water bottle with haversack. Raised on its original wooden base. Height of figure :14cm. Maker’s mark of Daniel & John Welby. Hallmarked London 1901.
Following the reverses to regular British forces in South Africa during ‘Back Week’, 1899, a call went out for volunteers from the home reserve. In the City of London, the livery companies, bankers, merchants and the Court of Common Council gave their support to fund a corps of City of London Imperial Volunteers. The corps included infantry, mounted infantry and a field battery. All received the Freedom of the City of London before embarkation for the Cape in January and February 1900. The CIV formed part of the force assembled to relieve Kimberley.
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The Mounted Infantry companies saw much fighting, and were very frequently praised by the generals under whom they acted. Lord Roberts wired to the Lord Mayor following the action at Jacobsdal on 15 February 1900: ‘The City of London Imperial Volunteers came under fire for the first time yesterday under Colonel Cholmondeley at Jacobsdal and behaved most gallantly.’ After Paardeberg they provided part of the escort of Boer prisoners to Modder River. The Mounted Infantry took part in the movement on Pretoria, and at the end of August served under General Smith-Dorrien in the Eastern Transvaal.