The regiment was armed with Lee-Enfield rifles, Mark II. [Sidenote: 1896.] Lieutenant O. C. Baker was appointed adjutant on 1st January, vice Captain Curzon, whose tenure expired. On 27th April, Lieutenant King-Harman with 1 colour-sergeant, 1 sergeant, and 25 men, proceeded to South Africa as part of an Irish company of mounted infantry for service in Matabeleland. On 21st September, the battalion, numbering 16 officers, 586 rank and file, moved by rail to Aldershot, and was quartered in Ramillies’ Barracks. On 3rd November, Lieutenant-Colonel C. Haggard succeeded to the command vice Lieutenant-Colonel R. J. Knox. [Sidenote: 1897.] On 9th January, Lieutenant-General H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught commanding Aldershot District inspected the battalion. Captain O’Leary received and was permitted to wear the 4th Class Order of the Osmanieh, for services in the Dongola expedition. On 24th April, the battalion embarked at Southampton on the transport _Dunera_ for South Africa, and having disembarked at Durban on 24th May--strength 20 officers, 593 rank and file, 37 women, and 51 children--proceeded by rail to Ladysmith. On 25th May the detachment under Lieutenant King-Harman rejoined head-quarters. This detachment had been employed on service for thirteen months with head-quarters at Fort Salisbury, and had had 1 man wounded. It received the thanks of the G.O.C. Natal and Zululand for “their soldierly qualities and good behaviour,” and subsequently received a medal for service in Rhodesia. On 27th September, the battalion was put into khaki clothing. [Sidenote: 1898.] On 10th August, a Maxim machine gun was issued to the battalion. [Sidenote: 1899.] On 24th March, the battalion left Ladysmith for Durban, where it embarked on R.I.M.S. _Clive_ for Calcutta, and arriving on 15th April, it proceeded to Dum Dum. On 18th September, the head-quarters moved to Fort William, Calcutta. War with the Boers in South Africa having broken out, Captain Fox-Strangways and Lieutenant Eckford were sent there for service on 18th September, and on 20th September, 1 sergeant and 14 men also went as trained transport drivers. [Sidenote: 1900.] On 1st January, Lieutenant Macnamara succeeded to the adjutancy vice Baker, whose tenure expired. On 1st February, Captain Noblett and 1 sergeant were attached to Lumsden’s Horse, a volunteer Mounted Infantry Corps, and proceeded to South Africa. On 28th October, Lieutenant-Colonel A. T. Swaine succeeded to the command vice Haggard. On 18th December, Lieutenant G. Forbes died from enteric fever. [Sidenote: 1901.] Captain Noblett and 1 sergeant returned to duty from South Africa. This officer was mentioned in despatches. The battalion remained at Calcutta. [Sidenote: 1902.] On 3rd February, the battalion moved to Fyzabad. On 14th February, 4 sergeants, 6 corporals, and 139 privates left from Bombay to join the 2nd Battalion on service in South Africa.