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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mounted Rifles

Mounted Rifles.

The Auckland Mounted Rifles were first organised through the energy of Lieutenant Banks, now (1900) serving with the Second Contingent in South Africa. In this work he was ably assisted by Sergt.-Major Evans. When the required number of forty was enrolled, the command of the company was offered to and accepted by Captain W. D. Holgate. The company was gazetted in November, 1898. Both Captain Holgate and Lieutenant Banks did much to ensure the success of the company, which now has seventy efficient members on its roll. The Auckland Mounted Rifles supplied eight men for the First Contingent, seven men and one officer (Lieut. Banks) for the Second, and three men to the Rough Riders. Five of the number were selected as non-commissioned officers to the contingents, four as senior sergeants, and one as a corporal. In March, 1900, Mr W. R. Bloomfield was elected senior lieutenant, in place of Lieut. Banks, and Sergt. Wynyard as junior lieutenant.

Captain W. D. Holgate, Commander of the Auckland Mounted Rifles, is the eldest son of Mr William Holgate, and was born at Askham Hall, Askham-Bryan, Yorkshire, England, in 1855. He was educated at Hollygate Seminary, York, by the Rev. Joseph Mosley, M.A., Oxon., and also received private tuition. Prior to Captain Holgate's departure for the Southern Hemisphere, he held a commission as sub-lieutenant in the Yeomanry Corps, known as the Prince of Wales Hussars, whose headquarters were at York. In 1879 he sailed for Melbourne, where he speculated successfully in mining stock and land. He also identified himself with civic and volunteer movements; was gazetted a Justice of the Peace, elected a member of the Collingwood Borough Council, and was chosen its Mayor during the Exhibition year of 1888. Captain Holgate was instrumental in forming the first senior cadet corps in Melbourne, known as the Clifton Hill Corps. He arrived in Auckland in 1890, and acquired an interest in the Kawau Island, but afterwards sold it. When the Auckland Mounted Rifle Corps was formed, he was offered his present commission. The corps is considered to be one of the smartest mounted corps in the North Island.

Lieutenant Harry Cecil Banks, Auckland Mounted Rifles. This officer is now (1900) on active service with the New Zealand Contingents in South Africa. He is a son of Lieut.-Colonel Banks, the officer commanding the district.

Lieutenant James G. Wynyard, of the Auckland Mounted Rifles, is a grandson of General R. H. Wynyard, sometime commander of the New Zealand Forces, and son of Mr Robert Wynyard, of Epsom. He was born at Auckland in 1875, and educated at the Church of England Grammar School. He entered the service of the River Plate Company, and remained till the mining boom started, when he engaged in sharebroking. Mr Wynyard is now a partner in the Auckland Drug Company. In 1898, on the formation of the Auckland Mounted Rifles, he joined that corps as trooper, and ascended through the various grades, till, in the early part of 1900, he received his appointment as lieutenant. Mr Wynyard played in the suburb seniors football club for over two years. He is also well known as a polo player, and is a member of the Auckland Polo Club.
Hanna, photo.Lieut. J. G. Wynyard.

Hanna, photo.
Lieut. J. G. Wynyard.

Lieutenant W. R. Bloomfield, of the Auckland Mounted Rifles, is else-where referred to as a barrister and solicitor.

Surgeon-Captain Norman K. Grant was appointed Honorary Surgeon to the Auckland Mounted Rifles on the 16th of November, 1898.

Mr Richard P. Kinloch, of Three Kings, is the Honorary Veterinary Surgeon of the Auckland Mounted Rifles.

The Rev. William Eugene Gillam is the Honorary Chaplain of the Auckland Mounted Rifles.

Seddon Horse Mounted Rifles. —This recently formed corps is named in honour of Mr R. J. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand. It was established on the 9th of May, 1900, and has now a total strength of sixty-five. Officers: Captain Iredale; Lieutenants Cotes and Brittain.

Captain John Iredale, of the Seddon Horse, was born in Greenfield, Yorkshire, England, in 1867, and was educated and trained to business in his native place. He was married, in 1900, to Miss Churton, a grand-daughter of the Rev. Mr. Churton, sometime Chaplain to the Forces in Auckland.

Lieutenant Harry Cotes was appointed lieutenant in the Seddon Horse, when the company was formed in the year 1900.

Lieutenant Francis Henry Brittain, of the Seddon Horse, is a son of Captain Brittain, of the Royal Marines. He comes of a military stock, and in his mother's family especially the sons had for generations been officers in the army, and the daughters, the wives of officers. Mr Brittain was born in Middlesex, England, and was educated at the Gravesend Grammar School, and at Westbourne College, London. He had been intended for the army, but in 1875 he decided to try his fortune in New Zealand, and arrived in Wellington by the “Queen Bee.” Before leaving England, he had made arrangements to go on a large sheep and cattle station in the Wairarapa as a cadet. After being some time on the sheep run, he became anxious to see more of the colony, and so he left the Wairarapa, and joined the Armed Constabulary at Wellington. He was in the force for over three years, during which he was on duty at various stations in the colony. On leaving the force Mr Britain joined a survey party, with which he remained for about one year. He was then for several years successfully engaged as a commission agent. In 1893 he joined the Government Stock Department in the Wairarapa district, and removed to Auckland in 1899 to take up his present position as Inspector of Stock. Mr Brittain has been for a number of years connected with volunteering; before leaving England he was a member of the London Volunteer Rifle Corps, and while stationed at Napier, Hawke's Bay, he was a member of the Napier Rifles and Artillery. On the formation of the Seddon Horse in 1900 Mr Brittain, who took an active part in the institution of the corps, was appointed lieutenant. Mr Brittain is married and has three sons and one daughter. His eldest son is engaged in a large mercantile firm in Auckland.