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Tapanui Rifle Corps
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Robert A. Rodger, of the Tapanui committee reported in February 1900, that Tapanui would probably equip two men for the Fourth Contingent with Stewart, Morrison and Colquhoun offering their services for the Boer War in South Africa. Not long after this, a proposal was put forward to the Defence Department for the formation of an infantry corps. By May, the Defence Department had replied and 63 recruits came forward by December, awaiting a Government drill instructor. The Kelso Mounted Rifles had obtained the minimum number of volunteers by December and were awaiting word that formation of a mounted corps could begin.
By March 1901 the troops had been supplied with their uniforms and were waiting for some of their accoutrements; leggings, belts, rifle slings etc. Sergeant-major Buchannan had visited for two days and put men through some drill and shooting. This resulted in a match between two teams of 13 men aside, selected by Captain Rodger and Lieutenant Mackie, with the lieutenants team winning; 198 points against 188. Lieutenant Mackie and Volunteer Lavender each registered four bulls and an inner out of five shots.
At the end of June 1902 the Tapanui Rifles, under command of Captain Rodger, went to Christchurch to attend a review. 35 of the 63 volunteers were present, and even the cold frosty night in an open railway truck across the Canterbury Plains, did not dampen spirits. On the way back the men participated in the Royalty visit; their first major public celebration. (Duchess of Cornwall). Held in Dunedin, the new company made such an impression that special mention was made of their presence in both cities as "one of the best companies on duty." Such pride in the Tapanui boys was honoured when troopers returned from South Africa. Celebrations were planned when Troopers Jock Ross, Jim Robertson, Watty Morrison and Bob Simmers came home.
A successful camp was held in the beginning of February, 1902 at Brooksdale with the Kelso Mounted Rifles. The only incident was a serious accident that occurred to Robert Ogilvie Rodger (Uncle of Captain R. A. Rodger) when he somehow fell from his daisy cart and had to be conveyed home by express, receiving care from the doctor.
The Tapanui Rifles held their first military ball on August 29th, 1902. The hall was skillfully decorated by the committee and the grand march led off by Captain Robert Rodger and Miss Rodger. Mrs Armstrong supplied music from the piano, Sergeant Dackers the violin and Mr Rundle from the piccolo.
William Stewart was recognised for his war efforts at a Crookston social in March, where David Fleming, the chairman of the school committee, presided. Stewart was presented with gold studs and sleeve links, a pendant and large gold albert. In November another of the Tapanui Rifle corps arrived home from South Africa. Trooper Chittock had been employed by Watson Shennan of Conical Hills Station prior to his overseas posting. He had applied to go with the Fourth Contingent, however was turned down by the Government. He again applied to go with the Sixth and was again unsuccessful. However, his third attempt saw him succeed in joining the Seventh. The evening of two hours games was occupied with cards, draughts, ludo, ping-pong etc. His father James Chittock spoke, thanking all those for the welcome home reception held at the Waikoikoi Hall. Dancing then commenced until 4 am.
(It wasn't until 1909 the executive of the New Zealand Soldiers' Graves Guild proposed to erect headstones over the graves of soldiers who died in New Zealand from the effects of wounds or contracted illness in South Africa during the Boer War.)
When a new drill was introduced in 1903, Major Boyne inspected the Tapanui Rifles. Examinations were held for the non-commissioned; and volunteers practised in the new town hall at Tapanui.
On of the largest events in the new hall was the Tapanui Rifles annual social and ball in October 1904. Over 300 people attended with the Tapanui volunteers in helmets and khaki dress of the infantry; the Kelso Mounted Rifles in dark blue dress uniforms. Medals and prizes were awarded for shooting matches held within the past twelve months and a number of songs and music were co-ordinated by Mr. Rundle.
In 1907 the Tapanui Rifles were converted to a Reserve Corps. Membership dropped and in 1909 a parade was held to gauge interest in reverting back to a volunteer corps. There was only one vote against the proposal and by July interest had increased and the numbers rapidly grew. On July 14 a shooting match was held against the Kelso Mounted Rifles with Tapanui winning by 32 points; shooting at a range of 200 yards. The results were:
200 yards and 500 yards:
Tapanui Rifles
Lieut. M. Robertson ... 31...32 total 63
Sergt. F. E. Stent ... 32...31 total 63
Private R. Smith ... 26...33 total 59
Private A. McPherson ... 29...30 total 59
Sergt. D. Dacker ... 30...29 total 59
Private J. Beattie ... 33...24 total 57
Sergt. R. Shearing ... 27...26 total 53
Private J. Smith ... 29...23 total 52
Private C. Moore ... 29...21 total 50
Sergt. A. Hancox ... 26...19 total 45
Total 560
Kelso Mounted Rifles.
Trooper J. Pullar ... 32...32 total 64
Captain G. H. Stewart ... 29...29 total 58
Trooper P. Ford ... 31...27 total 58
Trooper D. Crawford ... 32...25 total 57
Trooper Middlemiss ... 27...30 total 57
Trooper D. McBeath ... 29...27 total 56
Sergt. Thomson ... 27...27 total 54
Corp. A. Kempthorne ... 25...26 total 51
Trooper W. Spittle ... 30...7 total 37
Trooper G Scott ... 22...14 total 35
Total 528
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