the mafeking cadet corps was a group of boy cadets formed by lord edward cecil shortly before the 217 day siege of mafeking in south africa during the second boer war in 1899-1900. cecil, the son of the british prime minister, was the staff officer and second-in-command of the garrison. the cadets consisted of volunteer white boys below fighting age and were used to support the troops, carry messages, and help in the hospital. this freed up men for military duties, and kept the boys occupied.