Bethune's Mounted Infantry, an irregular unit, was raised in Natal in October 1899 and commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel E.C. Bethune, 16th Lancers. They were present at Willow Grange, Colenso and at Spion Kop, where Bethune offered to take his men onto the plateau but was turned down. Subsequent patrol work throughout General Buller's operations earned them a high reputation.