was supplied for safe use on the ranges. In 1897 Major Edward Pryce-Jones, MP, was transferred from the regiment to form a new 5th Volunteer Battalion, South Wales Borderers. Imperial Yeomanry Second Boer War Following a string of defeats during Black Week in early December 1899, the British government realised that it would need more troops than just the regular army to fight the Second Boer War, particularly mounted troops. On 13 December, the War Office decided to allow volunteer forces to serve in the field, and a Royal Warrant was issued on 24 December that officially created the Imperial Yeomanry (IY). The Royal Warrant asked standing Yeomanry regiments to provide service companies of approximately 115 men each for one year. In addition to this, many British citizens (usually mid-upper class) volunteered to join the new force. The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry raised two companies for the first contingent of the IY, which both landed in South Africa on 6 April 1900 and were assigned to the 9th (Welsh) Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry: 31st (Montgomeryshire) Company 49th (Montgomeryshire) Company When the first contingent returned home in 1901 after their one-year term of service, enough veterans of the 31st and 49th stayed on to reform the companies, while the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry raised two further companies for the second contingent, which also served in the 9th Battalion: 88th (Welsh Yeomanry) Company (sponsored by the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry) 89th (Montgomeryshire) Company This service earned the regiment its first Battle honour: South Africa 1900–01. Sir Herbert Williams-Wynn, who was instrumental in raising the four companies, was awarded a CB in 1902. He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the regiment when he retired in 1907. Captain Robert Williams-Wynn, younger brother of the CO, went to South Africa with 31st Company. During the campaign he was twice Mentioned in Dispatches and was afterwards promoted to Major and awarded the DSO. Montgomeryshire Imperial Yeomanry The Imperial Yeomanry were trained and equipped as mounted infantry. The concept was considered a success and before the war ended the existing Yeomanry regiments at home were converted into Imperial Yeomanry, with an establishment of RHQ and four squadrons with a machine gun section. This included the Montgomeryshire Imperial Yeomanry, with RHQ at Brook Street drill hall, Welshpool, which raised an additional squadron at Rhayader in Radnorshire. The brigade system was abolished at the same time. In 1906 Major Robert Williams-Wynn, DSO, was promoted to command