Initially, to circumvent the limitations of the South African Defence Act (Act No 13 of 1912),[REF] only volunteers were recruited and they were subject to an oath on induction whereby they consented to being deployed anywhere in Africa, this being a pre-requisite for acceptance into the Union forces.
Embarkation commenced in Durban the next day, with Brigade HQ, 1st Transvaal Scottish and attached troops boarding the MS Dilwara[REF] while the Royal Natal Carbineers and a number of voluntary aid nurses boarded the Devonshire.