Army Form B.111 - 1900 Attestation

Army Form B111 was introduced - probably in a hurry - in December 1899 with an initial print run of 80,000 forms. It was aimed at members of the Volunteer Force and specifically for the war in South Africa.

Volunteers were to enlist for "a term of one year, unless the war in South Africa lasts longer than one year, in which case you may be detained until the War is over."

Those volunteers who did enlist were formed into Volunteer Service Companies, each company to be composed of one captain, two subalterns, one serjeant-instructor as pay serjeant, four serjeants, two buglers, five corporals, 99 privates and two stretcher-bearers, or 116 of all ranks. I have written more about the Volunteer Service Companies and Volunteer Service Company numbering on my Army Service Numbers blog.

The man I have featured on this blog post - Hugh Amass Bothwell - had formerly served with the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Suffolk Regiment and was attested into the regular army, using the newly introduced AF B.111 on the 17th January 1900.

It is interesting to note that Hugh was 20 years old when he attested and yet had already served as an apprentice for seven years.

Hugh's attestation was approved by Captain E P Prest of the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Suffolk Regiment.

Hugh was discharged at his own request after just eight months' service.

Hugh's service in South Africa was recognised by the award of the Queen's South Africa Medal and three clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal.

All document images reproduced on this post are Crown Copyright, The National Archives. Pension records can be searched and downloaded from Findmypast which offers a FREE 14-day trial.