Archived Personnel Records, 19th Century
Records that show enlisted members of the RDF from 1881 through 1898 are in The National Archive's War Office series, WO 16. 2nd Boer War Campaign Medal lists are in WO 100. There are no officer service records available for the period prior to the First World War.
Enlisted Men Records
The archives hold muster books and paylists for the RDF. "Regimental musters, from the early 18th century onwards, were taken every month or quarter (frequency varied over the years) for pay and accounting purposes. They, along with pay lists, were effectively the main everyday service records kept by the army of men in active service. From about 1868 musters may also include Marriage Rolls giving details of children and wives occupying married quarters. Muster rolls and pay lists contain enlistment dates, movements, and discharge dates."
Muster books and paylists cover the years to 1888. From 1888 through 1898, the archives contain paylists only. TNA has no paylists for years after 1898.
For TNA's online guide to records of British Army soldiers up to 1913, click here. The webpage will open in a new browser window.
n/ Source: UK National Archives
Following are the TNA record identifiers for RDF muster books and paylists. Click on the above link for the TNA's guide to such records. The webpage will open in a new browser window.
Unit | WO 16 | Dates |
| Depot | 2087 | 1882-1884 |
| 1st Battalion | 2080-83 | 1881-1888 |
| 2nd Battalion | 2084-86 | 1881-1888 |
| 2nd Battalion | 2883 | 1886-1889 |
| Territorial District 102 | 2925 | 1888/89 |
| " | 2937 | 1889/90 |
" | 2949 | 1890/91 |
" | 2962 | 1891/92 |
" | 2976 | 1892/93 |
" | 2986, 2987 | 1893/94 |
" | 3000 | 1894 |
" | 3006 | 1894-1895 |
| All Districts, Unordered | 3016-22 | 1896 |
| Territorial District 102 | 3028 | 1897 |
" | 3043 | 1898 |
2nd Boer War Campaign Medal Lists
These records have been digitized and can be downloaded from TNA's website. Downloading requires a patron account which you can establish for free. Click on the icon for TNA's account registration page which will open in a new browser window.
Click on an archive reference link below and that page of TNA's online catalogue will open in a new browser window.
Queen's Medal for service to January 21, 1901:
King's Medal for service from January 22, 1901:
"Information for Queen's South Africa Medal recipients consists of Regimental Number, Rank, Surname, Initials of Given Name, Clasps indicating in which of 24 campaigns/battles the member participated, and Remarks. Remarks include whether died or killed-in-action and date returned home if service obligation completed. These Queen's medals were awarded as of 1 April 1901. Clasps available for King's South Africa Medal recipients were 1901 and 1902. Remarks indicate the recipients military status as of early 1903, such as 'to army reserve' or 'discharged.' King's medals were awarded as of 1 October 1902."
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