Discharge certificate for 1st City Volunteers (Marshall’s Horse)
A fascinating piece of Anglo-Boer War history, functioning as an informal, field-issued "discharge certificate" or statement of service written at the end of the conflict.
The Overlap of Two Distinct Units
Lieutenant H.H. Kysh was commissioned into the 1st City Volunteers (Marshall’s Horse).
The 1st City Volunteers was a traditional, infantry-based volunteer regiment based in Grahamstown (now Makhanda), formed in 1875.
Marshall’s Horse, however, was a hard-riding, elite mounted infantry unit raised in 1899 specifically for the Anglo-Boer War by Major George Marshall (who signed this document). Because Marshall's Horse suffered heavy casualties during the war, it was eventually amalgamated with, and reinforced by, elements of the 1st City Volunteers. This document captures that specific operational blur between the local infantry volunteers and the mobile mounted unit.
A "Snapshot" Taken at the Absolute End of the War
The dates on this note are highly significant. It certifies active service from 9 January 1901 to 30 September 1902.
The Treaty of Vereeniging, which officially ended the Anglo-Boer War, was signed on 31 May 1902.
This means Lieut. Kysh served through the grueling guerrilla phase of the war and stayed on for four months after the peace treaty to assist with the chaotic aftermath, demobilization, and policing of the Cape Colony before receiving this sign-off.
The "Field-Expedient" Nature of the Document
For an officer’s formal record of service, this is wonderfully informal. Instead of a printed government form or an official parchment certificate from the War Office in London, it is written in ink on a folded, ordinary piece of paper by Major Marshall himself.
During the mass demobilization of late 1902, colonial officers needed immediate proof of character and service to transition back to civilian life, apply for campaign medals (the Queen's and King's South Africa Medals), or claim land/grants. This is a commander giving his man a quick, authoritative reference right before the unit disbanded.
The Grahamstown Connection
The pink oval ink stamp in the corner reads:
1ST CITY VOLUNTEERS
11 SEP 1902
GRAHAMSTOWN
The stamp date (11 Sep 1902) is actually nineteen days before the certified end of service date listed in the text (30 Sept 1902). This implies that Lieut. Kysh likely visited the orderly room in Grahamstown to get his paperwork sorted out and stamped in advance, knowing his active commission was wrapping up at the end of the month.
Transcript for Reference:
This is to certify that Lieut H.H. Kysh was Commissioned as Lieut in the 1st City Volunteers — (Marshalls Horse) on the 9.1.01. And that he has served on Active Service from that date to the 30.9.02. Giving Satisfaction to his Superior Officers.
Geo Marshall, Major
O.C. 1st City Vols
Paper torn and stained; in poor condition.
205mm x 165mm
R1,500
