TOPIC:

Hi Everyone,

Can anyone tell me on what date the 2nd Bn, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry left South Africa, to return home, in 1902? I believe it was in mid-year, when they were replaced by the 1st Bn.

Regards,
Nick Tucker

Nick,

I have been going through the shipping records ( www.angloboerwar.com/other-information/86-shipping-records ). The only mention of the DCLI is in Aug 02 when 89 men returned home. It looks from the roll that there were well over 1,000 men in the 2nd battalion.

The NAM page ( www.nam.ac.uk/research/famous-units/duke...walls-light-infantry ) suggests a return home in 1902:

2nd Battalion remained on home service in England and Ireland from 1886 to 1905, interrupted only by two years in the Boer War (1899-1902) from 1900 onwards. It fought at Paardeberg (1900) and helped to capture Bloemfontein.

All of the sources I have seen suggest their service ended in 1902.

Do you have access to any of the service records for men of the 2nd?

Best wishes
David