TOPIC:

Am researching a 5th VBRH soldier who served in SA from March to August 1902 (discharged services no longer required) on a 1 year with the colours special enlistment with the 3rd Active Service Company then was attached to the 2nd Black Watch.

Was this 3rd Active Service Company a unit raised specifically for the Boer War and made up of men from various regiments for training, then, on reaching SA were posted to their own Regiment?

Mike

Mike,

The 1st, 2nd & 3rd Volunteer Active Service Companies, Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch), were each made up of Volunteers from Forfarshire (1st, 2nd & 3rd V.B.R.H.) and Perthshire (4th & 5th V.B.R.H.)
As you surmise the Service Companies generally joined their Regiments on arrival at the front.

Volunteers from the 4th & 5th V.B.R.H. received tribute medals from Perthshire. SEE: PERTH TRIBUTE MEDAL

I believe men from the 3rd Volunteer Active Service Company received these, although I cannot find a report of their presentation.

The men eligible from the 5th V.B.R.H. would have been:

3rd Volunteer Active Service Company, Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) [5th V.B.R.H.] –
9166 Sergeant John McPHERSON (Kenmore)
9160 Private John McINNES (Aberfeldy)
9164 Private Murdoch McKENZIE (Perth)
9165 Private John RAE (Killin)
9161 Private Donald SCRIMGEOUR (Aberfeldy)
9168 Private William STRUTH (Blairgowrie)
9162 Private P. THOMSON (Perth)
9167 Private Thomas WHITTET (Scone)
9163 Private Frederick WIGHTON (Balbeggie)

Neville

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Thank you Neville that's excellent. McInnes is the man am researching and have a passing interest in Scrimgeour.

Mike

McInnes and Scrimgeour were both members of "A" [Aberfeldy] Company, 5th V.B.R.H.



Volunteer Service Gazette, 21 March 1902

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Thanks again, nice to have confirmation. So this was basically the TF before Haldane. Would you describe the 5th VBRH as a militia?

Mike

Most definitely not Militia

For a comprehensive review of Volunteer / Militia have a read through this topic by Dave

www.angloboerwar.com/forum/11-research/3...volunteer-battalions

Volunteer