Frederick Charles Parkes, South African Constabulary, on his horse 'Prince', 1901

Photograph, Boer War (1899-1902), 1901.

The South African Constabulary was raised in August 1900 by Major-General Robert Baden-Powell. The British hoped that once the major Boer towns had been captured by the regulars, this new paramilitary force would assume responsibility from the Army for pacifying and garrisoning the countryside. This did not happen and the British Army continued to operate in the countryside against the skilled Boer guerillas until their final surrender in 1902.