Raised in early 1900, the squadron was initially sent to Rhodesia, then entered the western Transvaal in June, where it operated until its return to Australia in April 1901.

Under the command of 52-year old German Australian Captain Samuel G. Hübbe, the six officers and 99 men of the unit, chosen from 1,200 applicants,[1] departed for South Africa aboard the troopship SS Maplemore with 100 horses on 7 March 1900.

During the regiment's second fight at Ottoshoop on 12 September, Hübbe was killed while "checking his squadron to make sure no one was missing";[4] he was subsequently replaced as Captain by Lieutenant Angus Edward Collins.

As a result of having served longer than expected, senior officers present on the return voyage reported that the Bushmen contingents aboard the Morayshire were "very much out of hand the whole of the time".

[6] After the contingent departed, Methuen praised them in a letter to the secretary of the South Australian Bushmen's Committee, stating "I cannot conceive any body of men of whom a commander has greater reason to be proud.