Description
Queen’s South Africa, 2 bars, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Private R. Southworth, No. 1 Malta Company 9th Battalion 2nd Loyal North Lancashire Regiment M.I. (Mounted Infantry).
Robert Southworth was born in Blackburn, Lancashire during 1879, having been a member of the local Militia he joined the Loyal North Lancs on 31/1/1896, a month before turning 18.
During 1897 underwent Mounted Infantry training at Aldershot and was posted to Malta on 20/9/1899. He left Malta to sail to war in South Africa on 20/2/1900.
The company, known as the No 1 Malta Company consisted of 144 men, made up of one section each chosen from the 3rd Royal Warwicks, 3rd Lancashire Fusiliers, 2nd Loyal North Lancashire and the 2nd Derbys.
They were under the command of Captain Pine-Coffin of the 2nd Lancashire’s.
Upon their Arrival they were equipped with Horses from the Remount Department, they had hurriedly gathered them from various parts of the local neighbourhood, and were in poor condition.
He served with what was then known as the “Malta Mounted Infantry” throughout the war, until he returned home on 18/9/1902. Being discharged soon after on 31/1/1903 having completed his terms of engagement.
With copy service papers.
