On 11th October 1899 War was declared against the Boers in South Africa and on 18th December the War Office committed the Volunteer Forces, including men from the Militia, Yeomanry and Rifle Volunteer Corps.
The contingents of men from the Rifle Volunteer Corps were formed into Service Companies with a strength of 114 men, including four officers, and were attached to Regular Regiments.
Selected Contingent of the 2nd Derbyshire Volunteers
Queens South African Medal Role for part of the 2nd Volunteer Company Derbyshire Regiment (WO/190/192) showing the entitlement for Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal Clasps.
In total 114 Medals with 342 Clasp were issued to this contingent on 14th June 1902. The three Officers in charge were:-
- Captain Godfrey Davenport Goodman
- Lieut. John Henry Frederick Marsden
- Robert Weston Webb
John Marsden (above) later served with the 5th Battalion and Robert Webb with the 7th Battalion during the Great War.
Kings South African Medal Role (WO 100/336) for Lieutenant John Eaton Blackwell who also served with the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Notts & Derby Regiment.
1st Volunteer Service Company Sherwood Foresters
The Robin Hoods had 200 men volunteer for service in South Africa and 30 of these men, led by Captain Turner Lee, were chosen as the contingent and sent to the Depot in Derby to became part of the 1st Volunteer Service Company Sherwood Foresters.
The 1st Volunteer Company was formed on the 24th February 1900 and was taken on strength of the 1st Battalion on 10th April. It comprised 115 Officers and men and the Officers were:-
- Captain Turner Lee (1st Notts)
- Lieutenant R K Ellis (4th Notts Militia)
- Lieutenant F A C Wright (1st Derbyshire Volunteers)
- Lieutenant T C Newbold
Queens South African Medal Role for the Volunteer Service Company of the Derbyshire Regiment (WO/190/192) showing the entitlement for Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal Clasps.
Derbyshire Territorials in the Great War 
Fantastic photo of the Derbyshire’s! I wonder if the Derbyshire times has any more photos of the regiment from this period.Its striking that while they have new modern khaki uniforms and the new long lee Enfield rifles that they also wear the nearly obsolete 1888 Slade Wallace valise equipment.Ive never seen picture of the helmet flash close up.I wonder what became of these men after the war.