The rank of field cornet (veldkornet) was used for the senior officer of a ward or sub-district in the independent republican states of the Transvaal and Oranje-Vrystaat in late 19th century South Africa.
[8] The rank was reminiscent of the Dutch use in cavalry troops that the commandos most closely resembled.
[10] Cornet was originally the lowest grade of commissioned officer in a British cavalry troop, the modern equivalent being a second lieutenant.
Among famous cornets in that conflict were George Joyce, Robert Stetson, and Ninian Beall.
[13] It was abolished along with the purchase of commissions in the Army Reform Act of 1871, replaced by second lieutenant.