The 1st Battalion sailed on the Aurania on 18th March 1900, and arrived at the Cape about 9th April. Along with the 1st Worcestershire, 2nd Royal West Kent, and 2nd Manchester, they formed the 17th Brigade under Major General Boyes and part of the VIIIth Division under General Sir Leslie Rundle. The work of the division has been briefly sketched under the 2nd Grenadier Guards.
The battalion was not engaged in any big battle, and, like the rest of Rundle's force, had few opportunities of earning distinction, although their long stay in the north-east of the Orange River Colony was attended by every conceivable hardship, and constant vigilance was an imperious necessity.
Eleven officers and 13 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned in Lord Roberts' final despatch. During the latter phases of the war 2 officers and 3 men were mentioned by Lord Kitchener in despatches, and in his final or supplementary despatch the names of 4 officers and 3 non-commissioned officers were added.
