2nd Dragoon Guards (The Queen’s Bays)

This post will look at numbering in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (The Queen’s Bays). The information on this post has been compiled from a study of the 2nd Dragoon Guards and, from 1907, corps of Dragoons’ service records in WO 97 (on-line with Findmypast) and WO 363 and WO 364 (on-line with Ancestry).

2325 joined on 7th March 1881
2412 joined on 20th October 1882
2492 joined on 20th April 1883
2603 joined on 30th January 1884
2846 joined on 20th February 1885
3220 joined on 1st September 1886
3360 joined on 19th September 1887
3398 joined on 8th December 1888
3435 joined on 19th April 1889
3522 joined on 2nd April 1890
3735 joined on 31st August 1891
3810 joined on 23rd January 1892
4191 joined on 20th April 1893
4249 joined on 30th January 1894
4281 joined on 10th February 1896
4306 joined on 3rd June 1897
4505 joined on 11th May 1898
4785 joined on 20th March 1899
5119 joined on 7th March 1900
5714 joined on 26th September 1901
5869 joined on 2nd January 1902
6390 joined on 25th March 1903
6514 joined on 10th September 1906

I have some notable gaps in the sequence above with nothing for 1895 (when recruitment appears to have slowed to a trickle) and nothing either for 1904 and 1905. 1902 was a bumper year for recruitment with around 400 men joining the regiment. This drive certainly slowed the following year which also saw a number of transfers in from the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers).

Army Order 289 of December 1906 changed the numbering for cavalry of the line. Prior to this Army Order, all cavalry regiments had numbered individually by regiments. Now, line cavalry and household cavalry were separated; each of the three line cavalry corps – dragoons, hussars, and lancers – beginning a new number series which started at 1 and was to extend to 49,999.

What this meant for the 2nd Dragoon Guards was that from late December 1906 they began a new number sequence which they shared with the 1st (King’s) Dragoon Guards, 3rd (Prince of Wales’s) Dragoon Guards, 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards, 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s) Dragoon Guards, 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), 7th (Princess Royal’s) Dragoon Guards, 1st (Royal) Dragoons, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) and 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons. See my post on the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) to see the numbering sequence for the Corps of Dragoons post 1906.

Noting the distinction between the regimental sequence used by the 2nd Dragoon Guards up until the end of 1906 and the corps sequence used by the 2nd Dragoon Guards and all other regiments of Dragoon Guards and Dragoons from late 1906 is an important distinction to note. Researching a 2nd Dragoon Guards man, for instance, whose hypothetical number is 4610 could point to a September 1898 joining date if the number falls within the regimental sequence, or 1910 if the man enlisted with the corps of Dragoons.

I also offer a comprehensive, fast and cost-effective military history research service. Follow the link for more information.

1st (King’s) Dragoon Guards

This post will look at numbering in the 1st (King’s) Dragoon Guards. The information on this post has been compiled from a study of 1st King’s (Dragoon) Guards and, from 1907, corps of Dragoons’ service records in WO 97 (British Army Pensions 1760-1913) (on-line with Findmypast) and WO 363 (British Army Service Records 1914-1920) and WO 364 (British Army Pensions) (on-line with Ancestry).

2337 joined on 22nd April 1881
2412 joined on 21st November 1882
2460 joined on 24th September 1883
2574 joined on 9th September 1884
2654 joined on 13th February 1885
3069 joined on 9th October 1886
3126 joined on 8th January 1887
3306 joined on 15th November 1888
3342 joined on 9th February 1889
3442 joined on 21st June 1890
3471 joined on 20th October 1891
3499 joined on 10th June 1892
3592 joined on 20th June 1893
3745 joined on 8th January 1894
3851 joined on 3rd April 1895
3960 joined on 12th August 1896
4018 joined on 23rd January 1897
4171 joined on 31st March 1898
4415 joined on 8th March 1899
4568 joined on 1st January 1900
5061 joined on 4th February 1901
5581 joined on 19th April 1902
5830 joined on 27th January 1903
5856 joined on 11th April 1904
5892 joined on 6th March 1905
6443 joined on 26th September 1906

Army Order 289 of December 1906 changed the numbering for cavalry of the line. Prior to this Army Order, all cavalry regiments had numbered individually by regiments. Now, line cavalry and household cavalry were separated; each of the three line cavalry corps – dragoons, hussars, and lancers – beginning a new number series which started at 1 and was to extend to 49,999.

What this meant for the 1st (King’s) Dragoon Guards was that from late December 1906 they began a new number sequence which they shared with the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays), 3rd (Prince of Wales’s) Dragoon Guards, 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards, 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s) Dragoon Guards, 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), 7th (Princess Royal’s) Dragoon Guards, 1st (Royal) Dragoons, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) and 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons. See my post on the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) to see the numbering sequence for the Corps of Dragoons post 1906.

Noting the distinction between the regimental sequence used by the 1st (King’s) Dragoon Guards up until the end of 1906 and the corps sequence used by the 1st (King’s) Dragoon Guards and all other regiments of Dragoon Guards and Dragoons from late 1906 is an important distinction to note. Researching a 1st (King’s) Dragoon Guards man, for instance, whose hypothetical number is 4610 could point to a 1900 joining date if the number falls within the regimental sequence, or 1910 if the man enlisted with the corps of Dragoons.

When the First World War erupted an additional General Service number sequence was introduced (recruits’ numbers being prefixed with GS/) whilst career cavalrymen continued to use the corps number series from which I’ve given examples in this post.

I also offer a comprehensive, fast and cost-effective military history research service. Follow the link for more information.

East Yorkshire Regiment - 1st and 2nd Battalions

There are over 35,000 East Yorkshire Regiment serviceand pension records (for this regiment - and its antecedents) in various War Office series held at the National Archives. Clicking on the link will take you to the results on Findmypast but you will need a subscription or Pay-Per-View credits to actually view the records. Some of these records can also be viewed on-line on Ancestry although Findmypast has by far the most comprehensive service record collection.

The East Yorkshire Regiment was formed from the 15th (the Yorkshire East Riding) Regiment of Foot. 

The newly formed regiment was established as the county regiment for East Riding and started numbering from 1 in 1881.

28 joined on 16th September 1881
187 joined on 22nd June 1882
400 joined on 17th January 1883
910 joined on 1st February 1884
1428 joined on 11th March 1885
1972 joined on 15th January 1886
2656 joined on 26th April 1887
2794 joined on 18th January 1888
2845 joined on 10th January 1889
3035 joined on 7th June 1890
3116 joined on 13th January 1891
3588 joined on 11th February 1892
4105 joined on 13th January 1893
4583 joined on 15th January 1894
4908 joined on 8th January 1895
5232 joined on 10th January 1896
5431 joined on 15th March 1897
5642 joined on 22nd January 1898
5978 joined on 6th January 1899
6344 joined on 17th April 1900

The East Yorkshire Regiment raised one volunteer service company during the South African War.  The 1st VSC was raised in early 1900, men being issued with numbers in the range 7000-7116. 7055, for example, was issued to a serving member of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment on the 20th March 1900.

The company sailed for South Africa aboard SS Pembroke Castle on the 21st April 1900.

6645 joined on 5th March 1901
6846 joined on 20th January 1902
7236 joined on 2nd January 1903
7674 joined on 27th February 1904
8082 joined on 13th January 1905
8268 joined on 1st January 1906
8488 joined on 4th March 1907
8989 joined on 25th August 1908
9088 joined on 2nd February 1909
9425 joined on 14th March 1910
9685 joined on 29th August 1911
9803 joined on 22nd January 1912
10032 joined on 7th April 1913
10152 joined on 9th January 1914

The First World War

When Britain went to war in August 1914, men joining the new service battalions were issued with numbers from the same series being used by the two regular battalions.

Recruitment rates 1881-1911

Between 1st July 1881 and 13th January 1891, The East Yorkshire Regiment recruited 3,116 men, a below average rate of 325 men a year and one which placed the regiment in the forty-fourth position out of sixty-nine infantry recruiting regiments.

Recruitment in the 1890s improved somewhat and by March 1901, the regiment was issuing number 6645 to its latest recruit; an improved recruitment rate for the decade of 347 men on average per annum.

Between January 1901 and August 1911, the regiment added a further 3000 men to its ranks, an average of 292 men per year and the regiment’s worst recruiting period between 1881 and 1911. 

Image courtesy Wikipedia.

Further Reading

The East Yorkshire Regiment in the Great war 1914-1918
The Roll of Honour lists the officers alphabetically by ranks without indicating the battalion or date of death; the other ranks are shown by battalions and by ranks within each battalion. Honours and Awards are listed in three groups: British awards, Mentioned in Despatches and Foreign awards.

I also offer a comprehensive, fast and cost-effective military history research service. Follow the link for more information.

Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders

The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders was formed on 1st July 1881 from the 79th (The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders) Regiment of Foot, and initially consisted of one battalion – the 1st Battalion.   

There are over 30,000 Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders service and pension records (for this regiment - and its antecedents) in various War Office series held at the National Archives. Clicking on the link will take you to the results on Findmypast but you will need a subscription or Pay-Per-View credits to actually view the records. Some of these records can also be viewed on-line on Ancestry although Findmypast has by far the most comprehensive service record collection.

Use the regimental numbers and dates on which these were issued, below, to determine parameters for when your own Cameron Highlanders ancestor would have joined up. Note though that these numbers are only for regular enlistments. Special Reserve and Territorial Force battalions operated completely separate regimental number sequences.

The newly formed regiment was established as the county regiment for Inverness-shire and started numbering from 1 in 1881.

10 joined on 28th July 1881
179 joined on 7th January 1882
805 joined on 28th February 1883
850 joined on 2nd February 1884
1221 joined on 9th January 1885
1865 joined on 12th January 1886
2018 joined on 17th February 1887
2103 joined on 15th February 1888
2184 joined on 11th January 1889
2309 joined on 2nd January 1890
2425 joined on 10th January 1891
2923 joined on 27th January 1892
3466 joined on 9th January 1893
3567 joined on 4th January 1894
3662 joined on 8th January 1895
3750 joined on 4th January 1896 

On the 31st March 1897 the regiment raised a second regular battalion – the 2nd Battalion – at Fort George.  It drew its numbers from the same series as the 1st Battalion.

3857 joined on 22nd January 1897
4303 joined on 6th January 1898
4704 joined on 16th January 1899
5128 joined on 16th January 1900

Numbers 6248 to 6317 were issued in 1900 to men joining the 1st Volunteer Service Company, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders. The men embarked for South Africa aboard SS Gaul on the 14th April 1900.

5685 joined on 7th January 1901
6011 joined on 11th January 1902

6560 joined on 6th January 1903
6858 joined on 24th February 1904
7168 joined on 30th March 1905
7484 joined on 30th April 1906
7782 joined on 18th January 1907
8106 joined on 4th January 1908
8499 joined on 4th January 1909
8842 joined on 24th March 1910
9042 joined on 24th March 1911
9249 joined on 27th February 1912
9488 joined on 15th April 1913
9624 joined on 13th January 1914

The First World War

When Britain went to war in August 1914, men joining the new service battalions were at first issued with numbers from the same series that had, up until that point, been the sole preserve of the regiment’s two regular battalions.  The only difference between men enlisting for war-time service only and those enlisting as career soldiers, was that the numbers of the former were supposed to be prefixed with the letter S/.

However, at some point, a decision was taken to allocate a separate block of numbers to men who wished to join the army as career soldiers.  Numbers in the 150** and 151** range were set aside for this purpose and these numbers start appearing around mid November 1914. Numbers in the 151** range were certainly still being issued to men joining up for regular terms of enlistment in 1917.

Recruitment rates 1881-1911

Between 1st July 1881 and 10th January 1891, The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders recruited just 2,425 men, an average of 253 soldiers a year and the lowest recruitment rate of all the British infantry regiments that decade.  Remember though, that the regiment only consisted of one battalion up until 1897.

Recruiting into the regiment however, showed a marked upturn in the 1890s with 3260 additional men recruited up until the 7th January 1901.  The regiment was the forty-sixth most effective recruiter during this period.  The trend continued into the 1900s and by the 24th March 1911, the regiment had recruited 9,402 soldiers since July 1881.  From a yearly average recruitment rate of 326 in the 1890s, the figure rose slightly to 330 by March 1911.

I also offer a comprehensive, fast and cost-effective military history research service. Follow the link for more information.

Welsh Regiment - 1st and 2nd Battalions

The Welsh Regiment was formed on the 1st July 1881; the 1st Battalion from the 41st (The Welsh) Regiment of Foot, and the 2nd Battalion from the 69th (South Lincolnshire) Regiment of Foot.

There are over 43,000 Welsh Regiment service and pension records (for this regiment - and its antecedents) in various War Office series held at the National Archives. Clicking on the link will take you to the results on Findmypast but you will need a subscription or Pay-Per-View credits to actually view the records. Some of these records can also be viewed on-line on Ancestry although Findmypast has by far the most comprehensive service record collection.

Use the regimental numbers and dates on which these were issued, below, to determine parameters for when your own Welsh Regiment ancestor would have joined up. Note though that these numbers are only for regular enlistments. Special Reserve and Territorial Force battalions operated completely separate regimental number sequences.

The newly formed regiment was established as the county regiment for Carmarthenshire, Glamorganshire and Pembrokeshire and started numbering from 1 in 1881.

16 joined on 26th July 1881
142 joined on 8th April 1882
309 joined on 1st March 1883
694 joined on 12th April 1884
1170 joined on 13th May 1885
1391 joined on 7th January 1886
1836 joined on 9th April 1887
2264 joined on 17th May 1888
2459 joined on 7th February 1889
2783 joined on 30th April 1890
3027 joined on 19th June 1891
3271 joined on 30th January 1892
4029 joined on 23rd May 1893
4238 joined on 15th March 1894
4643 joined on 1st March 1895
4943 joined on 16th March 1896
5197 joined on 25th March 1897
5507 joined on 26th January 1898
5931 joined on 15th August 1899
6245 joined on 1st January 1900

The Welsh Regiment raised three volunteer service companies during the South African War and allocated numbers as follows:

1st VSC: numbers within the range 7324 to 7526
2nd VSC: numbers within the range 7436 to 7584
3rd VSC: numbers range unknown

The 1st Volunteer Service Company arrived in South Africa on the 9th March 1900 and comprised four officers, one colour sergeant, seven sergeants, nine corporals, three lance-corporals, two drummers and 111 privates.  Three privates would die of disease.

The 2nd Volunteer Service Company arrived in South Africa on the 29th April 1901 and comprised two officers, one colour sergeant, six sergeants, three corporals, ten lance-corporals, two drummers and 82 privates.

The 3rd Volunteer Service Company arrived in South Africa on 3rd April 1902 and comprised one officer, one colour sergeant, three sergeants, one corporal, two lance-corporals, one bugler and 45 privates. One sergeant and two privates had previously served in South Africa with the 1st VSC.

6896 joined on 16th July 1901
7156 joined on 13th June 1902
8026 joined on 23rd September 1903
8160 Joined on 10th Feb 1904
8555 joined on 7th January 1905
8890 joined on 18th January 1906
9213 joined on 7th January 1907

9632 joined on 20th January 1908
10015 joined on 26th January 1909
10271 joined on 26th January 1910
10542 joined on 22nd February 1911

10643 joined on 25th January 1912
10887 joined on 13th January 1913
11192 joined on 20th July 1914

The First World War

When Britain went to war in August 1914, men joining the new service battalions were issued with numbers from the same series in use by the two regular battalions.

Recruitment rates 1881-1911

Between 1st July 1881 and 19th June 1891, The Welsh Regiment recruited 3,027 men, a low average of 303 each year.  Of the sixty-nine infantry regiments recruiting at this time, The Welsh Regiment was the sixty-third most successful infantry recruiter.

The regiment’s fortunes improved dramatically in the 1890s however, and up until the 16th July 1901 it added a further 3,900 men to its books; a higher than average recruitment rate for the decade of 384 men.

The 1890s would be the Welsh Regiment’s most effective recruitment period but nevertheless, by 22nd February 1911, the regiment was issuing number 10542 to its latest recruit and could still boast a higher than average 380 men recruited per annum over the decade.

I also offer a comprehensive, fast and cost-effective military history research service. Follow the link for more information.

South Lancashire Regiment - 1st & 2nd Battalions

The Prince of Wales's Volunteers Regiment (South Lancashire Regiment) was formed on the 1st July 1881; the 1st Battalion from the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot, and the 2nd Battalion from the 82nd (Prince of Wales’s Volunteers) Regiment of Foot. 

The newly formed regiment was established as the county regiment for south central Lancashire and started numbering from 1 in 1881.

There are over 40,000 South Lancashire Regiment pension and service records (for this regiment - and its antecedents) in various War Office series held at the National Archives. Clicking on the link will take you to the results on Findmypast but you will need a subscription or Pay-Per-View credits to actually view the records. Some of these records can also be viewed on-line on Ancestry although Findmypast has by far the most comprehensive service record collection.

Use the regimental numbers and dates on which these were issued, below, to determine parameters for when your own South Lancashire Regiment ancestor would have joined up. Note though that these numbers are only for regular enlistments. Special Reserve and Territorial Force battalions operated completely separate regimental number sequences.

5 joined on 29th July 1881
349 joined on 5th January 1882
849 joined on 9th February 1883
1209 joined on 23rd June 1884
1410 joined on 2nd January 1885
1951 joined on 19th August 1886
2260 joined on 10th August 1887
2469 joined on 21st March 1888
2659 joined on 12th January 1889
3103 joined on 30th May 1890
3400 joined on 25th February 1891
3740 joined on 29th June 1892
3954 joined on 30th January 1893
4274 joined on 10th January 1894
4667 joined on 8th January 1895
4999 joined on 28th February 1896
5190 joined on 1st January 1897
5492 joined on 21st February 1898
5883 joined on 11th July 1899
6025 joined on 14th March 1900

The South Lancashire Regiment raised three volunteer service companies during the South African War.  Numbers were allocated as follows:

1st VSC: numbers within the range 7010 to 7176
2nd VSC: numbers within the range 7436 to 7584
3rd VSC: numbers 7500 to 7524

On 23rd February 1900, the 1st VSC comprising Captain F M Appleton, Lieutenant H H Lewis, Lieutenant E Robson and 113 men set sail for South Africa aboard the SS Avondale Castle.

6222 joined on 11th February 1901
6461 joined on 3rd February 1902
7280 joined on 4th November 1903
7407 joined on 11th February 1904
7919 joined on 9th January 1905
8237 joined on 7th July 1906
8655 joined on 27th April 1907
8928 joined on 30th May 1908
9254 joined on 15th February 1909
9373 joined on 4th February 1910
9677 joined on 8th October 1911
9803 joined on 14th June 1912
9955 joined on 1st January 1913
10167 joined on 1st January 1914

The First World War

When Britain went to war in August 1914, men joining the new service battalions were issued with numbers from the same series that had been used by the regiment’s two regular battalions. 

Recruitment rates 1881-1911

Between 1st July 1881 and 25th February 1891, The South Lancashire Regiment recruited 3,400 men, an average of 352 men each year.  Of the sixty-nine infantry regiments recruiting at this time, the South Lancashire Regiment was the twenty-ninth most effective infantry recruiter.

Recruitment in the 1890s dipped for The South Lancashire Regiment and by February 1901 it had added just 2800 men to its 1891 total, a disappointing average recruitment rate of 282 men per annum; the third lowest of all the infantry regiments for the decade.

From the low of the 1890s, recruitment in the regiment picked up in the first decade of the twentieth century and by October 1911 the regiment was issuing number 9677 to its latest recruit; an average recruitment rate for the decade of 324 men.

I also offer a comprehensive, fast and cost-effective military history research service. Follow the link for more information.

King's Own Scottish Borderers - 1st and 2nd Battalions

The War Office had intended that the regiment should be named The York Regiment (King’s Own Borderers) and with the regimental depot in York.  Instead, it became the King’s Own Borderers with its depot at Berwick-upon-Tweed.  It was formed on 1st July 1881 from the 25th (The York) Regiment of Foot (King’s Own Borderers) and started numbering from 1 in 1881.

There are over 28,000 King's Own Scottish Borderers pension and service records (for this regiment - and its antecedents) in various War Office series held at the National Archives. Clicking on the link will take you to the results on Findmypast but you will need a subscription or Pay-Per-View credits to actually view the records. Some of these records can also be viewed on-line on Ancestry although Findmypast has by far the most comprehensive service record collection.

Use the regimental numbers and dates on which these were issued, below, to determine parameters for when your own KOSB ancestor would have joined up. Note though that these numbers are only for regular enlistments. Special Reserve and Territorial Force battalions operated completely separate regimental number sequences.

15 joined on 31st October 1881
324 joined on 23rd September 1882
775 joined on 16th August 1883

1182 joined on 23rd October 1884
1460 joined on 22nd June 1885
1958 joined on 11th March 1886
2107 joined on 23rd February 1887

On 1st May 1887, the regiment’s name was changed again to The King’s Own Scottish Borderers; the regiment reorganised as the county regiment of Berwickshire, (which had been transferred from The Royal Scots’ district) and Dumfriesshire, Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire (which had all been transferred from The Royal Scots Fusiliers’ district).  Numbering was unaffected and continued sequentially.

2608 joined on 10th January 1888
3073 joined on 25th January 1889
3439 joined on 25th February 1890
3569 joined on 9th January 1891
3928 joined on 10th January 1892
4394 joined on 19th January 1893
4758 joined on 4th January 1894
5161 joined on 3rd January 1895

5603 joined on 20th January 1896
5926 joined on 22nd February 1897
6328 joined on 6th January 1898
6650 joined on 10th January 1899

In 1899 the Galloway (Kirkcudbright and Wigtown) recruiting area was transferred from the Royal Scots Fusiliers to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers.

6913 joined on 9th January 1900

During the South African War, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers’ two volunteer battalions contributed enough men to raised three volunteer service companies.  The regiment did not – at first - heed the Army Order regarding the numbering of VSC men and instead just continued with the next available number in the regular series.  Numbers were issued as follows:

1st VSC: numbers within the ranges 6927 to 7050 as well as the two numbers 7219 and 7306
2nd VSC: numbers within the ranges 7227 to 7330 and 8450 to 8496
3rd VSC: numbers 8516 to 8577

Exceptions to the above are the two numbers 7219 and 7306 which were issued to two 1st VSC men. Numbers in the 8400 and 8500 ranges date to 1901.

7437 joined on 18th January 1901
7802 joined on 20th January 1902
8168 joined on 19th January 1903
8634 joined on 11th January 1904
9113 joined on 4th January 1905
9649 joined on 11th October 1906
9820 joined on 18th July 1907
10209 joined on 5th May 1908
10374 joined on 15th February 1909
10780 joined on 18th March 1910
10941 joined on 17th January 1911
11230 joined on 8th January 1912
11534 joined on 29th April 1913
11791 joined on 13th January 1914

The First World War

When Britain went to war in August 1914, men joining the new service battalions were issued with numbers from the same series in use by the two regular battalions.

Recruitment rates 1881-1911

Between 1st July 1881 and 18th March 1891, The KOSB recruited 3,653 men, a high average of 375 men each year.  Of the sixty-nine infantry regiments recruiting at this time, The King’s Own Scottish Borderers was the eighteenth most successful infantry recruiter.

Recruiting improved over the following decade.  

Between 18th March 1891 and 18th January 1901 the regiment recruited a further 3,800 men, an average of 385 men a year.  The regiment improved its ranking during this decade and finished as the twelfth most successful infantry recruiter during this time.

Although recruitment fell away slightly during the early 1900s, the regiment nevertheless recruited at an average annual rate of 350 men and as early as January 1911 had issued number 10941 to its latest recruit.

Overall, for the period 1881 to 1911, the KOSB was the eighteenth most effective recruiting regiment.

Further Reading

The KOSB in the Great War

I also offer a comprehensive, fast and cost-effective military history research service. Follow the link for more information.

Durham Light Infantry - 1st & 2nd Battalions

The Durham Light Infantry (DLI) was formed in July 1881. The 1st Battalion was formerly the 68th (Durham Light Infantry) Regiment of Foot, and the 2nd Battalion was formerly the 106th (Bombay Light Infantry) Regiment of Foot. This post will look at army services numbers issued to men joining the two regular battalions of the DLI between 1881 and the first half of 1914.

A search on Findmypast for Durham Light Infantry service records reveals over 87,000 results. Click the link to see the search results. 

Also see my post on Durham Light Infantry Other Rank PoWs 1914.

17 joined on 20th July 1881
286 joined on 15th January 1882
997 joined on 21st August 1883
1311 joined on 14th March 1884
1754 joined on 11th February 1885
2335 joined on 10th February 1886
2927 joined on 16th November 1887
3066 joined on 21st January 1888
3523 joined on 28th June 1889
3660 joined on 6th January 1890
4254 joined on 15th October 1891
4533 joined on 8th July 1892
5082 joined on 25th October 1893
5208 joined on 17th April 1894
5412 joined on 27th January 1895
5758 joined on 11th February 1896
6142 joined on 8th June 1897
6359 joined on 3rd May 1898
6671 joined on 18th January 1899
7157 joined on 2nd May 1900
7457 joined on 16th April 1901
7893 joined on 8th May 1902
8384 joined on 15th April 1903
8728 joined on 18th January 1904
9103 joined on 9th January 1905
9688 joined on 6th October 1906
10186 joined on 30th September 1907
10350 joined on 22nd April 1908
10818 joined on 1st October 1909
10916 joined on 7th March 1910
11131 joined on 1st February 1911
11427 joined on 2st August 1912
11542 joined on 28th January 1913
11714 joined on 26th March 1914
11775 joined on 7th August 1914

By this stage, Britain was in its fourth day of war with Germany and the new service battalions of the DLI (10th Battalion - 17th Battalion inclusive), would also allocate numbers from the same series which had, up until then, been in use solely for the regular battalions.

Service records for all of the Durham Light Infantry soldiers listed above, can be accessed from the WO 363 (Burnt Documents) and WO 364 (Pension) series at The National Archives London. These papers are also now on-line via the Ancestry website. CLICK HERE for a FREE 14 day trial.

The photo that I've 'borrowed' for this post comes from the Wikepidia article on the Durham Light Infantry and shows NCOs of the 11th DLI. The X indicates 18688 Corporal Thomas Bonney who joined the Durham Light Infantry in September 1914. Thomas was born in Birtley, County Durham and also enlisted there, giving his place of residence as Ouston, County Durham (source: Soldiers Died in the Great War). He was an original member of the 11th Battalion and went overseas with it on 20th July 1915. He appears to have remained with the battalion, rising to the rank of sergeant, until he was killed in action on 31st March 1918.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website notes that Thomas was 22 years old, the son of John and Jennie Bonney, of 200 Ouston Square, Pelton; and the husband of Elizabeth Bonney, of Institute Terrace, Ouston, Pelton, Co. Durham. He is buried in the Allied Extension of Moreuil Communal Cemetery, France; grave reference D.2.


I also offer a comprehensive, fast and cost-effective military history research service. Follow the link for more information.

Durham Light Infantry literature

The following links will take you to the relevant pages on The Naval & Military Press website:

Faithful – The Story of the Durham Light Infantry
History of the Durham Light Infantry (and its Regiment of Foot predecessors) from the 18th Century to the Korean War.

The Durham Light Infantry – The United Red and White Rose
Full history of the DLI up to the Great War. This work was originally published in 1914 and is illustrated by ten pictures showing regimental insignia and uniforms, memorials and early commanders. In addition there are twelve appendices covering rolls of officers, lists of colonels, regimental music, freemasonry and and sporting awards and achievements.



The Durham Forces in the Field 1914-1918
This history is concerned with the eleven service battalions that went on active service: the 10th to 15th, the 18th to 20th, the22nd and 29th.

The Fiftieth Division 1914-1919
The 50th (Northumbrian) Division was a pre-war Territorial (TF) division which recruited from Northumberland, Durham and the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire. The infantry battalions came from the Northumberland Fusiliers, East Yorks, Green Howards and Durham Light Infantry.

A Brigadier in France
Charting the military career of Hanway Robert Cumming who was commissioned into the Durham Light Infantry in 1889, served during the Boer War and took command of the 2nd DLI in August 1916. He was murdered in Ireland in March 1921.