SEAFORTH MILITIA

[Crofter]

My grandfather served in the Seaforth Militia stationed in Egypt around 1900.

Can anyone shed any light on this fine body of men and what sort of actions they may have been involved in over there?

Regards, Crofter.

[Adam Brown]

No action for your Grandfather I'm afraid. This was the 3rd (Militia) Bn of the Seaforth Highlanders which was embodied during the Boer War to take over garrison duties in the Empire to allow the Regular Army to serve in South Africa.

It was embodied at the start of the war at Fort George and to a man volunteered for overseas service.

It was sent to Egypt in May 1900 and spent the next 18 months in Cairo as part of the Mediterranean Garrison alongside the 1st Bn Seaforth Highlanders. Both units sent drafts to the 2nd Bn serving in South Africa.

For its service abroad it was awarded a Battle Honour MEDITERRANEAN 1900-01

Adam

[Currie]

Hello Crofter,

You can get some information relating to the Seaforth Militia and their Egyptian trip by searching through old newspapers. If you haven’t already been there you’ll find it interesting.

There are some minor items in 19th Century British Library Newspapers. Try this, however the demo may have just expired http://access.gale.com/newstrial/

The Scotsman has a half price offer for December. See viewtopic.php?t=12770 To give you a start here’s a few of interest but there could be other bits to be found.

5th February 1900
Scottish Regiments for Service Abroad. The Following Drafts, &C., Of Scottish regiments have been ordered to embark as follows:—The Simla, at Southampton, on the 10th inst., 3d Battalion Seaforth Highlanders, draft of 100 men, …………… (may be a typo there)

17th December 1900
Lengthy article about opening of a soldier’s home in Cairo. (rough quotes)
“a better conducted set of men have never garrisoned Egypt”, “3d Militia Battalion 25 officers and 758 men”, ”a large proportion of 3d from Hebrides”, ”Militia under canvas, scarlet fever, believed transported on clothing sent from home”, ” The baker, Seaforth man from Golspie, produces seductive scones” etc

7th March 1901
TIME-EXPIRED SEAFORTHS, — On Tuesday night, sixty time-expired men of the Seaforth Militia arrived at Stornoway, from Cairo, where the battalion is at present serving. The excellent behaviour of the men was most marked. ……………… If everything goes as they expect the regiment should be home, he thinks, early in April.

15th April 1901
Article regarding a request that 3d Seaforths be sent home and detailing difficulties their prolonged stay in Egypt was creating at home.

17th July 1901
Letter from Commanding Officer in response to letter to the Times regarding the Stornoway transportation incident.

The Times, Tuesday, Jul 02, 1901, Page 11
Letter referred to above.

For Times access see first posting on this thread
viewtopic.php?t=11928&highlight=tryinfomarks

If you have any difficulties locating any of the above or if you need any clarification from the 19th Century series please let me know.

You may find this page interesting. https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/militia.php

Hope that’s useful,
Alan

[Adam Brown]

From a 1936 edition of the Seaforth Highlanders regimental magazine 'Caber Feidh'

3rd Bn Seaforth Highlanders buried in Cairo Old Cemetery

2nd Lt Fraser died 7th August 1900. Buried in grave 1685L
Child of Sjt McDonald 29th April 1900. Buried in grave 2453N
Private McLennan 23rd May 1900. Buried in grave 1496K
Sergeant McLean (4053) 20th August 1900. Buried in grave 1519K
Private McLeod 20th January 1901. Buried in grave 1509K
Private MacKenzie (925) 9th April 1901. Buried in grave 1535K
Lance Corporal McLeod (4329) 11th April 1901. Buried in grave 1534K
Private Allen McIver 12th April 1901. Buried in grave 1533K
Private Nicholson 10th May 1901. Buried in grave 1525K. Grave not marked. Memorial stone in cemetery erected in 1936.
Private McLeod 23rd May 1901. Buried in grave 1551K. Grave not marked. Memorial stone in cemetery erected in 1936.
Private McIver 30th May 1901. Buried in grave 15481K. Grave not marked. Memorial stone in cemetery erected in 1936.

Note that one of the burials is to a child of one of the 3rd Bn men which suggests they had family with them.

Adam