HC Deb 13 March 1912 vol 35 c1237W
Major BARING

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War how many men serving in the auxiliary forces volunteered for service in South Africa during the war, and what proportion the number bore to the average strength during the years 1899 to 1902; how many men came forward, apart from recruits for the Regular Army, who had had no military training; and what proportion they bore to the men in the country of the ages required by the War Office?

Colonel SEELY

There are no records at the War Office showing the numbers of Militia, Yeomanry, or Volunteers who volunteered for service beyond the United Kingdom during the South African war. The numbers who volunteered were, of course, greatly in excess of those whose services were accepted. The numbers that left the country and the average strength of these forces were as follows:—

Numbers leaving the Country. Average Strength.
Militia 45,566 96,674
Yeomanry 2,789 10,986
Volunteers 26,065 263,419

As regards the second part of the question, no statistics are available.