Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Francis Cantwell
Acting Commandant – General of the Colonial Forces, is one of those intrepid Irishmen who have played so prominent a part in the military history of the Colony. Born and educated in Queen’s County, Ireland , he enlisted in the Inniskilling Dragoons at an early age, and served for some years in that famous regiment before he sailed for South Africa in search of adventure and fortune. Landing in 1877, he joined the “Frontier Armed and Mounted Police”, a corps which was raised on the border to resist the encroachments of the natives, and to afford protection to the settlers. This body, after a period of hard work, was disbanded and re-organised as the “Cape Mounted Rifles”, which became the finest corps of light cavalry ever recruited in this country, and one which has as proud a history as any other colonial corps. Since its inception it has almost constantly been employed on active service, and has participated in every campaign of note. Colonel Cantwell on the re-organisation of the regiment was transferred as a trooper, and served with distinction, rising gradually to his present position. Shortly after his arrival in the Colony the Gaika and Galeka war of 1877-78 broke out and he served throughout the campaign. In 1879 he was present at the capture of Morosi’s Mountain, and in the following year he distinguished himself in the Basuto rebellion, for which he holds the medal.
On the outbreak of the late Anglo-Boer War he was in command of the detachment of the Cape Mounted Rifles at Wepener and was mentioned in dispatches. The gallant Colonel served throughout the rest of the campaign, and on peace being declared was appointed Chief Staff Officer to General Sir E. Y. Brabant. On his retirement he was promoted to the rank of Staff Officer for the Peninsula Volunteers. During Colonel Lukin’s absence he was appointed Acting Commandant of the Colonial Forces.
Colonel Cantwell has always been an ardent sportsman, and now that he was settled down at King William’s Town he was an active supporter of many of the athletic clubs in the town. He was universally popular and had the reputation of being a thorough soldier.
Amongst the various medals gained by Colonel Cantwell are the following:
South African Medal, 1877-8-9;
General Service Medal, 1 clasp;
Queen’s Medal and 4 clasps, and King’s Medal and 2 clasps, Anglo-Boer War;
and the Coronation Medal, for representing the Cape Colonial Forces at the Coronation.
Source: Men of the Times