Troop-Leader C.H. Herbert was the Leader of the Mtshwati Rifle Association and commanded it when it was called out for duty during the invasion of Natal. He was appointed a Troop Leader in Murray's Horse when that unit was raised in Natal before the outbreak of hostilities by the Hon. T.K. Murray. Prior to the appearance of British reinforcements, Murray's Horse, strength 150 men, patrolled wide areas of lower Natal and scouted the country in front of the advancing Boer Commandos. It was disbanded in November 1899 following the arrival of the British troops. Herbert's name was the first on the Mtshwati Rifle Association roll, which he compiled as Leader, but his Medal was issued from that of Murray's Horse.