HC Deb 25 March 1901 vol 91 cc1092-3
MR. LAMBERT

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what were the numbers of regular soldiers in this country immediately before the South African War over the age of 20, and with one year's service; under the age of twenty, and with less than one year's service; reservists; also, what were the total numbers in each class belonging to the British Army.

LORD STANLEY

The numbers of the rank and file on the 1st October, 1899, were as follow:—

At home.
Under 1 year's service 28,245
Over 1 year's service 65,072
Under 20 years of age 28,183
Over 20 years of age 65,134
Reservists 81,163
Total in British Army.
Under 1 year's service 30,302
Over 1 year's service 168,487
Under 20 years of age 32,663
Over 20 years of age 166,120
The sergeants, drummers, and trumpeters are not classified as above, but amounted to 9,735 at home and 18,253 in all.