The Sherwood Foresters1881-1914
Summary of the Sherwood Foresters
The Childers Reforms of 1881 brought together the 45th and 95th Regiments of Foot to form The Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment).
The Regiment consisted of:
- 1st Battalion (45th)
- 2nd Battalion (95th)
- 3rd Battalion (late Derbyshire Militia)
- 4th Battalion (late Royal Sherwood Foresters) Militia Battalions;
The Headquarters of the Regiment was established in Derby.
Egypt 1882
The 2nd Battalion saw active service in Egypt in 1882 and later went on to India. In 1888 the 2nd Battalion took part in the Sikkim Expedition to Tibet and in 1897 they were once again in active service in the Tirah Expedition.
Boer War 1899-1902
The outbreak of the Boer War in 1899 found both regular battalions in Malta. During the November the 1st Batalion sailed for South Africa where they were to remain until the end of the War in 1902. They took part in most of the major battles and shared all the hard marching and privations of that long campaign. On one occasion they marched 400 miles in 45 days and were engaged with the enemy 28 times. The 4th Battalion and Service Companies of the Volunteer Battalions also took part in the campaign.
The 2nd Battalion provided volunteers for the many Mounted Infantry companies.
Growing threat of war
The growing threat of War with Germany at the beginning of the Century caused a further re-organisation of the Army. In 1908 the 3rd and 4th Battalions became part of the Special Reserve with liabilities for overseas service. The Volunteer Battalions became the 5th, 6th, 7th (Robin Hoods) and 8th Battalions of The Sherwood Foresters in the newly formed Territorial Force. It was later renamed the Territorial Army.
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