5th Battalion, Royal Scots

The 5th Volunteer Battalion was a reserve volunteer battalion of the Royal Scots that existed from 1859 - 1908. It participated in The Second Boer War and gained its one and only battle honour from that war.

5th Volunteer Battalion, The Royal Scots
Active1859 - 1908
Country United Kingdom
Branch British Army
TypeReserve Infantry
RoleInfantry Reserve Support
SizeBattalion and 12 Companies
Garrison/HQLeith
EngagementsSouth Africa 1900 - 1902
Commanders
Honorary ColonelR. C. Maclagan, VD.

History

The 5th Volunteer Battalion can trace its history to August 6, 1859 when 153 men from Leith created two new rifle companies and in December became known as the "1st Mid-Lothian (Leith) Rifle Volunteer Corps" with four companies. In 1863 the 4th Mid-Lothian (Corstorphine) Rifle Volunteer Corps amalgamated with the regiment and formed the new 9th, 10th, and 11th Companies. In 1884 the regiment was re-organized and reduced to 10 Companies. Later in 1888 it joined the Royal Scots as the 5th Volunteer Battalion. During the South African War 196 of its members served with the Royal Scots where Captain Campbell and Corporal T. H. Greg gained the Mentioned in dispatches and later the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In No.3 company Private J. G. Lockhard gained another Mentioned in dispatches. After its disbandment and dispersion into the Territorial Force the battalion's traditions were kept up by the 5th, later 7th battalions.[1][2]

Structure 1868

The regiment was at its highest strength in 1868 consisting of 12 companies:[3][1]

A 10th Company also existed as a Cyclist company in 1901.

References
  1. Moncrieff Grierson, Major General Sir James (1909). Records of the Scottish Volunteer Force 1859 - 1908 (PDF). William Blackwood and Sons. pp. 244 (By when opened), 188 (from book).
  2. "Scotland, The Royal Scots, Territorial Army and Cadets". 2007-12-19. Archived from the original on 2007-12-19. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
  3. "The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) [UK]". 2007-12-24. Archived from the original on 2007-12-24. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
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