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Archiver > BOER-WAR > 2005-12 > 1134545397


From: David Humphry <>
Subject: Re: [BOER-WAR] military designations
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2005 07:29:57 +0000 (GMT)
In-Reply-To: <9AB2563F-9572-4672-8ED5-002D5F2E0485@pacbell.net>


Hi Melissa,

1) V.B. = Volunteer Battalion

2) V.S.C. = Volunteer Service Company

3) Rand Rifles - Formed after the fall of Johannesburg to the British (31/5/1900). They guarded the gold mines and were effectively the Johannesburg Town Guard.

4) I.M.R. = Definitely Mounted Rifles but not Imvoti. (Should be Umvoti). My guess is Indwe.

5) Your guesses ref D.F.F.A., K.L.H. & C.G.A. are correct.

6) The volunteer battalions were not part of the regular army but part time soldiers who were able to respond to the government's request for military service. This normally involved home service only but in the Boer War most (if not all) regular infantry regiments provided a volunteer service company from one of their volunteer battalions for service in South Africa. As for his apparently extensive service with so many units in a shorter military career, I think that he retained (and quoted) his principal affiliation with the Royal Fusiliers' Volunteer Battalion while simultaneously attached to the other units.

I hope this helps. Regards, David

mlagusis <> wrote:

Hello listers,

I am new to this list so I apologize if this query is a repeat. I
attempted to send this message before I had subscribed officially, so
this is my second effort.


I just received the Attestation papers for my grandfather, Robert
Percy CLARK, for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force (WW1).
In it he lists his previous military experience in South Africa.

I wonder if anyone can confirm my interpretation of the abbreviations
and the significance of certain initials.

He lists:

4 yrs V.B. Royal Fusiliers...what does V.B. signify?

2 yrs V.S.C. Royal Fusiliers....again what is the significance of
V.S.C.?

1 yr Rand Rifles

3 mo I.M.R. Vol....what does I.M.R. stand for?

18 mos D.F.F.A .....I am guessing that this stands for Diamond Fields
Field Artillery.

5 mos K.L.H....I am guessing this stands for Kimberley Light Horse.

8 yrs 5th C.G.A.....am I correct in guessing that this stands for
Cape Garrison Artillery?

I think some of his experience must have been concurrent because, as
far as I know, he was only in South Africa from 1900 to 1908. Was it
possible to serve in different outfits simultaneously or was he
padding his resume?
I also have his attestation papers from British National Archives
confirming his service in the South African campaign 1900, 1901 with
the Royal Fusiliers. I believe he received the following medals
(according to my deceased aunt) but I have no idea of their
significance:

Commander St Michael and St George, the Military Cross, The
Distinguished Service Order, General Service Medals, The Mons Star,
Coronation 1911, South Africa: King’s and Queen’s Long Service Medals.

Where could I find more details on his South African military record?

I do know that he went on to achieve the rank of Brigadier General in
the Canadian Army.

Yours,
Melissa



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