In Between The South African War and World War 1

FIELD-MARSHAL H.R.H. THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE, who had been Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment for forty-five years, died on 17th March, 1904. He was succeeded by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, later H. M. King George V.

In The Years Of Peace

After the South African War the Regiment generally had two battalions abroad, in India and the Mediterranean. The 4th Battalion (Lieutenant-Colonel F. A. Fortescue remained at Harrismith in South Africa for two years and the 3rd (Lieutenant-Colonel S. W. Hare) were a short time in Bermuda. From 1909 the 1st and 2nd Battalions were at home, the 3rd and 4th abroad.

During this period the Regiment maintained its usual standard of training and discipline, and all battalions were also distinguished by their successes in rifle shooting, games and sport. The 2nd Battalion won the Queen Victoria (Shooting) Cup abroad in 1909 and the same prize at home in the three following years. The Army Football Cup was won by the 4th Battalion in 1908. The Kadir Cup, blue riband of pig-sticking, was won by Lieutenant H. A. Vernon, of the 3rd Battalion, in 1908. At home the officers held their point-to-point steeplechases every year. For three seasons 60th officers, Captain C. W. Wilson, D.S.O., Captain H. Wake,' D.S.O., and Major S. F. Mott, held the mastership of the Staff College Drag Hounds.

When the First World War started, the Regiment had sixteen officers on the regimental list who had graduated at the Staff College, and later, in 1916, had forty-two Generals on the active list of the Army.

Regimental Organizations

Many important developments took place during this period of peace which have contributed to the cohesion and well-being of the Regiment. The Veterans' Association (now the K.R.R.C. Association) was initiated by Sir Redvers Buller shortly before his death. The Celer et Audax Club for Officers was developed by Lord Grenfell, from being merely a dinner club, to embrace all the interests and sports of the Regiment. At the instance of Mrs. F. A. Fortescue, the ladies of the Regiment formed themselves, with H.M. Queen Mary as Patron and H.R.H. Princess Christian as President, into the Ladies' Guild for promoting, in co-operation with the Riflemen's Aid Society, the well-being of the married families and the welfare of Riflemen's families generally in peace and war.

H.M. King George V, Colonel-In-Chief

For all that was achieved in these twelve years of peace, for the proud spirit which animated all ranks, and for the general state of efficiency in which it was found when war came, the Regiment owed the deepest debt of loyalty and gratitude to its Colonel-in-Chief, King George V. In spite of the heavy burden he carried His Majesty displayed a personal interest in our Regiment. To gain his approval and confidence was felt by all ranks to be sufficient reward for every effort. In this spirit the Regiment entered upon the European War in August, 1914

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