Wight Rifles - The Boer Wars

The Boer Wars

When volunteers were asked for in 1890 for South Africa only twenty riflemen were accepted as the "1st Active Service Section of the Isle of Wight Rifles". They served with other Hampshire volunteers in a support capacity and distinguished themselves by marching thirty-five miles in twelve hours to cover the withdrawal of a detachment under fire near Mafeking. In 1901, despite many volunteering, only ten were accepted and only three passed the medical. Even so the unit was able to display "South Africa 1900-01" on its badge. In 1907 their name was changed again to "Princess Beatrice's Isle of Wight Rifles, 8th Battalion the Hampshire Regiment". The volunteers were now paid an annual bounty of £5 and the weekend and annual two-week camps, for which wages were received, which were very popular socially.