TOPIC:

I am confused and in need of guidance.

During my 3 years of interest in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1902 I have formed the following view:

(a) The ABW was the first time Army Reservists were recalled to the Colours
(b) This required a special proclamation from the Monarch
(c) This proclamation was issued on 20th December 1899 following Black Week.

The Service Statement of 3376 Benjamin Underhill, 1st South Staffordshire Regiment adheres to the above:



However, that of 3269 Henry Griffiths, 1st Royal Munster Fusiliers does not as he appears to have been recalled on 13th November 1899:



That of 3199 Thomas Hadley, 14th Hussars indicates he was recalled just after the ABW started:



One interpretation of the above is that on 17th October 1899 the power was given to Regiments to recall Reservists if necessary to meet the growing demands on them. This was only a temporary power and it was renewed on 11th November 1899, or alternatively it was extended to include Southern Irish Regiments. Then Queen Victoria weighed in and on 20th December 1899 made it mandatory for all Regiments to recall all their Reservists.

Can anybody clarify my confusion please?

I was under the impression that as each Division was mobilised, each Regiment forming each Brigade therein would mobilise their own reserves as required to bring them up to strength, as so many regiments were under strength following a time of peace where numbers had dwindled and so many men had been allowed to transfer to their Battalions serving abroad.

Does the wording of Queen Victorias proclamation say all regiments should recall their reservists?

Ian - thanks for the response. My initial post was based on things I read or thought I had read in the last 3 years. Being an undisciplined researcher I did not note the sources at the time. But I can you give the source for the need for there to be a proclamation by Queen Vic before Reservists could be recalled to the Colours - Section 18(c) of the attestation papers they all signed.



Having, since I made the post, perused the newspapers of the day it would appear she did make such a proclamation in early October 1899 as shown by this headline in the Dublin Daily Express 9 October 1899:



A long article followed about this and that but this is the pertinent part:



It appears she did not need to make another proclamation but a series of Army Orders followed permitting the recall of Reservists by other parts of the army. This is an example published in the Eastern Morning News of 4 December 1899:



Thus I think in effect you are correct in your view.