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I received an enquiry today from someone asking when the Royal Dublin Fusiliers arrived in South Africa and on which ship.

Romer says ' In 1885 it [2nd RDF] moved to Egypt, and in 1886 to India, where it was quartered until 1897, when it was suddenly ordered to South Africa, on account of our strained relations with the Transvaal Republic. On arrival at Durban, however, the difficulties had been settled for the time being, and the regiment was quartered at Pietermaritzburg until it moved up to Dundee in 1899, just previous to the outbreak of war.”

Ref:: www.angloboerwar.com/books/77-romer-the-...s/1582-romer-preface

Does anyone know any more details about their arrival in SA?

With thanks
David

David

The list of the British Infantry Regiments garrisoned in Natal between 1843 and 1914 includes the following:
1894-98 2nd Duke of Wellington's Regiment
1898-99 1st Leicestershire Regiment
The 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers (1897-99) became in effect a second reserve garrison regiment conveniently located at Fort Napier in anticipation of the outbreak of war.
Many more regiments followed during 1899-1902, but there was no permanent garrison until after the war (1902-3), when the 2nd King's Own Royal Regiment and the 2nd West Yorkshire Regiment filled this role.

Regards
Brett

That is very useful, Brett, many thanks. I am helping someone who is tracing their ancestors life and this will add useful information.