The Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry (DCLI) was an infantry of the British army created on 1 July 1888 by merging the 32nd (Cornwall Light Infantry) Regiment of Foot and the 46th (South Devonshire) Regiment of Foot. The DCLI also incorporated the militia and rifle volunteers of Cornwall.
The 32nd Regiment of foot became the 1st Battalion, and the 46th Regiment of Foot the 2nd Battalion of the DCLI.
Canteen tokens used by the Infantry during the Boer War. South Africa
Fairly rare especially in UNC condition as in the ones below. One penny, obverse, denomination in centre, at top, "XXXII", around, "Cornwall Light Infantry"
XXXII = Thirty-Two, 32.
In 1860 the several Cornwall rifle corps located within the western part of the county (England) were grouped together as the 1st Admin Battalion of Cornwall Rifle Volunteers. The battalion became the 1st Cornwall Rifle Volunteer Corps in 1880 and in 1885 was renamed the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
The battalion contributed a number of men to the volunteer service companies that went out to South Africa during the Boer War.
In October 1899 war broke out between the United Kingdom and the Boer Republics.
The 2nd Battalion sailed on the Formosa II on 5th November 1899,(The Formosa was built in 1892 for Peninsular and Orient by Naval Construction and Armaments in Barrow , England. Requisitioned as a troopship during the Boer War .Formosa was scrapped in 1909.) and arrived at the Cape on the 29th. For two months it was on the lines of communication on the western border.
Two companies of the battalion took part in Colonel Pilcher's successful raid from Belmont to Douglas and Sunnyside, when a laager and 40 prisoners were captured. The Cornwalls did a splendid bit of marching.
The Arms of Cornwall (from Cornwallinfocus.co.uk)
The Arms of Cornwall depict a black shield containing 15 gold balls - known as besants. The history of the besants is that they were gold coins found in Byzantium.
The legend being, that an Earl of Cornwall fighting in the Crusades in the 12th Century, was captured by the Saracens. The people of Cornwall ('One And All') had to raise the sum of 15 besants to ensure his safe release.
In February 1900 it became part of the 19th Brigade. It saw action against the Boers at Paardeberg, and in March 1900 entered Bloemfontein. It continued to take part in a series of skirmishes until the end of the war.
The 1st Battalion took no part on the war, moving from India to Ceylon in December 1900 where its soldiers guarded South African prisoners of war.
About Tokens : Reverse, arms of Duke of Cornwall, at top, "Regimental", at bottom, "Canteen" The Arms of Cornwall are depicted on the Cornwall Light Infantry tokens.
Tokens where made of Copper and the edge is smooth.
Type 1: Coin struck, thick “1”, fatter shield, larger besants and five petalled florettes
Type 2: Medal struck, slender “1”, slender shield, smaller besants and six petalled florettes.
Thickness was 1mm with diameter of 25.5mm.
Hern - 692a
"At about one o'clock Kitchener came to me and asked if I had got any fresh troops to spare for a more determined assault. I told him my only reserve was half the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, guarding the transport, and he said
this half-battalion must cross over and rush the position.
Boer War Uniform
He asked Ewart to lead them across, and told him what he wished done. I therefore sent for Colonel Aldworth commanding the battalion, and told him the chief of the staff's wishes, and on hearing from him that his men were about to have their dinners, put off the advance till they had done, for it did not strike me as a task to be undertaken on an empty stomach.
Guided by Ewart, they started at about half-past three, and crossed the river at the point where the Seaforths had done so in the morning, and then extended to the left.
They were joined by the Canadians and the four Seaforth companies, and creeping steadily on till within 500 yards of the enemy, charged forward with a ringing cheer. 'By Jove! they've done it', somebody said at my side. And I own I, too, thought they had; it seemed as if nothing could stop them.
But the fatal moment came for them as it had come for others, and when within 200 yards of the enemy those that were left had to halt Aldworth, gallantly leading them, was killed, and the casualties in his half-battalion were over 22 per cent.
The Canadians also suffered heavily; their percentage of casualties that day was double that of either of the other two battalions, but I do not know how many of them were due to this charge ... This effort practically ended our work for the day".
The losses of the Cornwall Light Infantry on the 18th were 3 officers killed — Colonel W Aldworth, DSO, and Captains Wardlaw and Newbury — 4 officers wounded; 12 men killed and 55 wounded."
The Cornwalls were for a time at Irene and afterwards at Derdepoort. At the end of August the battalion was taken east to Middelburg, remaining there till 1st December, when they were despatched to the Piennaar's Poort district.
In July and August 1901 they furnished four companies for Major General Beatson's column. In August the battalion was taken to the unhealthy Koomati Poort valley, and they remained in that district and at Barberton till the close of the war.
Graves in the Constantia Cemetery, Cape Town.
Death could have been as a result of injuries or from the Influenza epidemic that hit South Africa.
All 1st D.C.L.I.
Last Init / Rank No / Date Died
GAMBLIN T. Pte 15-03-1903
MATHEW S Pte 07-03-1903
SAKER (??)W. Pte2 4-03-1903
CARTER S Sgt 26-03-1903
LONG W. Pte 31-03-1903
FORD W. Pte 07-04-1903
KEEDLES G. Pte 21-03-1903
THRUGOOD W. Pte15-04-1903
GREEN J. Pte 14-02-1903
ASHLEY T. Pte 27-02-1903
HAINES (??) Pte 09-07-1903
HUMPHRIES J.L Sgt 504404-03-1903
BUTCHER Charles Pte 406015-03-1903
Sources : Wikipedia
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