2nd Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles

In November 1901, the British government requested from the Canadian government a four-squadron regiment of mounted rifles for the Second Boer War. The Canadian Department of Militia and Defence equipped and trained the unit, while the British paid its costs. The majority of the officers and at least a quarter of the men had previously served in South Africa, including its commander Lieutenant-Colonel T.D.B. Evans. On 31 March 1902 the unit fought as part of an outnumbered British force at the Battle of Hart's River, or Boschbult. The unit participated in a number of other drives to round up Boers before the war ended on 31 May 1902. ==World War I==

The 2nd Regiment, Canadian Mounted Rifles was mobilized on 15 March 1915, at Willows Camp, Victoria. Most of their recruits came from the local militia cavalry units: the 30th British Columbia Horse and the Victoria Squadron of Horse. ==Commanding officers==

• Lieutenant-Colonel T.D.B. Evans, November 1901 – 31 May 1902 • Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. L. Bott, 12 June 1915 – 27 November 1916 • Lieutenant-Colonel G. C. Johnston, 27 November 1916–demobilization ==Battle honours==

• Mount Sorrel • Somme, 1916 • Flers-Courcelette • Ancre Heights • Arras, 1917, '18 • Vimy, 1917 • Hill 70 • Ypres, 1917 • Passchendaele • Amiens • Scarpe, 1918 • Hindenburg Line • Canal du Nord • Cambrai, 1918 • Pursuit to Mons • France and Flanders, 1915–18 == Awards ==

Capt. John MacGregor was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Battle of the Canal du Nord from 29 September to 3 October 1918. == Perpetuation ==

The 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Battalion is perpetuated by The British Columbia Dragoons. == See also ==