Brodrick forage cap worn by Lieutenant-General Robert S S Baden-Powell, British South African Constabulary, 1900-1903...

Brodrick forage cap worn by Lieutenant-General Robert S S Baden-Powell, 1st Baron of Gilwell, British South African Constabulary, 1900-1903. Commanded and organised by Baden-Powell the British South African Constabulary recruited men from Britain, Canada and Australia. The pay of five shillings (25p) per day was higher than that of the Regular Cavalry and attracted a high calibre of man. The men were not sworn-in until they reached Cape Town and therefore, as private citizens, were exempt from some of the troopship privations suffered by regular and auxiliary troops. Unlike other Cavalry units, horses were not shipped out from England and each trooper had to break-in his own mount from the sure-footed Veldt ponies. These ponies, with their ability to detect poisoned water-holes, saved many troopers' lives. By May 1901 the strength of the Constabulary was 7, 500 officers and men and it was affectionately known as 'Baden-Powell's Police'.