The Boers declared war in October 1899, and in November the 37th Field Company attached to the 5th Infantry Division embarked to the Cape. They were commanded by Captain W. A. Cairns and landed in Natal on 23 December 1899. With bolstered forces, in January 1900, Sir Redvers decided to attempt to take Ladysmith, outflanking the Boers by crossing the Tugela in the vicinity of Potgieter's Drift. Two divisions were detailed for this and the 37th Field Company were attached to the second.