RootsChat.Com

General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: leon59 on Monday 31 March 08 06:22 BST (UK)

Title: Volunteer Highland Light Infantry
Post by: leon59 on Monday 31 March 08 06:22 BST (UK)

My grandfather was in the Volunteer Highland Light Infantry did they serve in the Boer War in Africa. Also would there be a record in Kew?

Title: Re: Volunteer Highland Light Infantry
Post by: km1971 on Monday 31 March 08 09:55 BST (UK)

Hi

The VB (Volunteer Battalions) could not serve abroad, so he would have transferred to a regular battalion to serve in the Boer War. This gives you two chances to find some records in Kew - WO96 (part-timers) and WO97 (Regulars). You can also search the medals rolls in WO100. You will have to visit Kew though.

In transferring to a new battalion he would have changed his number as the Regulars had a different sequence to VB battalions.

Ken

Title: Re: Volunteer Highland Light Infantry
Post by: leon59 on Monday 31 March 08 14:14 BST (UK)

Thanks Ken for the information.
Sharon

Title: Re: Volunteer Highland Light Infantry
Post by: ladysmith on Monday 31 March 08 15:29 BST (UK)

Most infantry regiments had one or more Volunteer Service Companies that served in the Boer War, the men being supplied for the Volunteer Battalions. These companies were attached to a regular battalion of their parent regiment and they maintained a separate identity. The men who served in them were allocated specific blocks of service numbers and their Queen's South Africa Medals were usually named to 'Vol. Co.' followed by the name of their parent regiment.

David

Title: Re: Volunteer Highland Light Infantry
Post by: ladysmith on Monday 31 March 08 15:32 BST (UK)

There's a typo in my last post. In the first sentence it should read '... the men being supplied from the Volunteer Battalions' and not 'for'.

David

Title: Re: Volunteer Highland Light Infantry
Post by: leon59 on Saturday 05 April 08 16:02 BST (UK)

David
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Thanks for your advice.