Charley, the horse of Captain T W Goodrich, Cape Mounted Riflemen, 1854

Oil on canvas by Captain Thomas White Goodrich (1828-1872), 1854.

Originally raised in South Africa in 1806 as the Cape Regiment, the unit was largely disbanded in 1817. A small force, retained for the defence of the eastern frontier of Cape Colony, was re-formed as the Cape Mounted Riflemen in 1827. Although it originally included many African soldiers in its ranks, the regiment gradually became predominantly European following a series of mutinies. The regiment was drilled and treated as cavalry but paid as infantry. It was disbanded on financial grounds in 1870.

Thomas White Goodrich was commissioned as an ensign in the 12th (The East Suffolk) Regiment of Foot in June 1848. He was promoted lieutenant in April 1851 and accompanied his regiment to the Cape for the 8th Frontier War, landing at Port Elizabeth in July. On 21 November he exchanged into the Cape Mounted Riflemen, with which he served for seven years.

Goodrich commanded a detachment in the action at Berea on 10 December 1852, which concluded the 8th Frontier War (1850-1853). He was promoted captain in January 1853. His several signed and dated oil paintings extant show that he was painting while on frontier service. Unfortunately nothing further is known about his horse, 'Charley', beyond this record. In January 1858 Goodrich left South Africa on home leave and in December he transferred to the 4th (The Queen's Own) Regiment of Light Dragoons. He sold his commission on 24 May 1859, apparently retiring from the Army just before his marriage in early summer.