The Second Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the South African War: With a Description of the Operations in the Aden HinterlandRomer, Cecil Francis
History
The Second Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers in the South African War: With a Description of the Operations in the Aden Hinterland
Romer, Cecil Francis
Great Britain. Army. Royal Dublin Fusiliers. 2nd Battalion; South African War, 1899-1902 -- Regimental histories
looked in splendid form as they defiled into the main hall and took up
the positions allotted to them. It was at first stated that the
strength comprised 25 officers, 2 warrant officers, 8 staff sergeants,
54 sergeants, and 528 rank and file; but the figures given yesterday
were 18 officers and 523 rank and file. Be the numbers as they may,
the appearance of the men thoroughly maintained the regimental
nickname of 'The Old Toughs.' Hardy, wiry warriors they
looked--thoroughly capable of accomplishing the daring and courageous
deeds which have covered the Dublin Fusiliers with special glory. It
is worthy of note that the majority of the non-commissioned officers
served through the South African campaign from the Battle of Dundee,
and that Lieutenant and Quartermaster Burke is the only remaining one
who left England with the battalion nineteen years ago. The officers
and men of the battalion were dressed in general service (khaki)
uniform, and carried their rifles and bayonets. They also wore Indian
helmets with puggarees, while the mounted company were attired in the
clothing suited to this, particular branch of the Service. They were
under the command of Colonel Tempest Hicks, C.B., Colonel English, and
Major Fetherstonhaugh, and when they marched into the hall and took up
position on either side, in line of half-battalions, they were greeted
with loud cheering, and when the order 'stand at ease' was made a
number of reservists and other friends rushed forward to exchange
greetings with former acquaintances. There was nearly a half-hour's
wait for the arrival of the Duke of Connaught, and in the interval the
bands of the Fusiliers and Warwickshire Regiment played some
selections. At a quarter-past twelve precisely, H.R.H. the Commander
of the Forces in Ireland arrived in an open carriage, accompanied by
H.R.H. the Duchess of Connaught and Princesses Margaret and Patricia
of Connaught, and attended by the following staff: Major-General Sir
William Knox, Major-General Sir John Maxwell, Colonel Hammersley,
Colonel Davidson, Colonel Dickinson, Colonel Congreve, V.C., and Major
Murray, A.D.C.
[Illustration: Homeward bound at last after twenty Years' Foreign
Service.]
The Duke, who wore the uniform of a Field-Marshal, was received by the
following members of the reception committee: Major Domville, D.L.
(vice-chairman), Mr. Justice Ross, Sir Wm. Thompson, Sir Charles
Cameron, C.B., Major Davidson Houston, Colonel Finlay, Colonel
Davidson, Major-General Sir Gerald Morton, K.C.B., Colonel Paterson,
Colonel G. T. Plunkett, C.B., Captain Lewis Riall, D.L., Colonel
Vernon, D.L., and Alderman Harris.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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