NAM.2001-04-217-1

Frock, serge B, Maj William Henry Booth, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment), 1910 (c). Above left breast pocket the following medal ribbons: OBE (civil); Distinguished Service Order; Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service; Queen Victoria's South Africa medal 1899-1902. Booth was born on 6 Jul 1862 and educated at Wellington College and Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned, 10 May 1882, Lieutenant in The Buffs, promoted to Captain in 1893 and Major on 16 Feb 1901. Booth saw service during the Boer War, 1899-1902, on the Staff as ADC to Lieutenant-General Infantry Division, 4 Dec 1899 to 4 Mar 1901. He was present: at the Relief of Kimberley, 1900; during operations in Orange Free State, Feb to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg, 17 to 26 Feb 1900, and actions at Poplar Grove and Dreifontein, 1900; during operations at Transvaal, east of Pretoria; during operations in Orange River Colony, May to 29 Nov 1900; in the operations in Cape Colony, South of Orange River, 1899-1900; during operations in Cape Colony, north of Orange River, 1900. He was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette, 8 Feb 1901), and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order . London Gazette, 19 April 1901, “William Henry Booth, Major, East Kent Regiment. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.” The insignia was presented by the King, 3 Jun 1906. He retired from the East Kent Regiment, 23 June 1906, and was made JP, Herefordshire. Major Booth was created an OBE in 1918. From the collection of the former Buffs Regimental Museum.