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 The Second Boer War ( af, Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the Sout ...

and gained its one and only battle honour from that war.

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 The Second Boer War ( af, Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the Sout ...

196 of its members served with the Royal Scots where Captain Campbell and Corporal T. H. Greg gained the

Mentioned in dispatches To be mentioned in dispatches (or despatches, MiD) describes a member of the armed forces whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which their gallant or meritorious action in the face ...

and later the Distinguished Conduct Medal. In No.3 company Private J. G. Lockhard gained another

. After its disbandment and dispersion into the Territorial Force the battalion's traditions were kept up by the 5th, later 7th battalions.

Structure 1868

The regiment was at its highest strength in 1868 consisting of 12 companies: * Headquarters - Leith Walk ** No. 1 Company - Leith ** No. 2 Company - Leith ** No. 3 Company - Leith ** No. 4 Company - Leith ** No. 5 Company - Leith ** No. 6 Company - Leith ** No. 7 Company - Leith ** No. 8 Company - Leith ** No. 9 Company - Leith ** No. 10 Company - Leith ** No. 11 Company - Leith ** Band of the 1st Mid-Lothian Rifle Volunteer Corps A 10th Company also existed as a Cyclist company in 1901.

References

{{reflist Royal Scots