Kate,
I have been following up on your posting given the Irish connection of Percy Barrow, and found details of the unit’s departure from the U.K.
The following is from the Portsmouth Telegraph 12th January 1881:
…The new mounted infantry corps, the nucleus of which goes out in the Hankow, under the command of Major Barrow (19th Hussars), has upon its staff Captain Cooper (47th Regiment), Captain Hutton (60th Rifles), Lieutenant Lord St. Vincent (7th Hussars), Lieutenant Heron-Maxwell (7th Fusiliers), Lieutenant Gossett (95th Regiment), Veterinary Surgeon Duck, and Surgeon Cross. The corps at present consists of these officers, the corps sergeant-major, the quartermaster-sergeant, two troop sergeant-majors, four sergeants, six corporals, two farriers, two shoeing-smiths, two trumpeters, two saddlers, and 99 privates, all of whom have been selected as good shots and good conduct men. They will be mounted in the colony, and there augmented as required, and they will form a separate corps, and return to England when decided upon by the commanding officer at Natal. Special clothing has been provided for them, consisting of Bedford cord pants, ammunition boots, and leather gaiters, serge frocks strapped with leather, and white helmet. They will carry a Martini carbine, slung on the back, and a light sword on the saddle. Their belts are brown, and they will carry their ammunition in bandoliers. The equipment of the officers will correspond, and their sword scabbards of brown leather have a very serviceable appearance. The regiments from which these men have been selected are the 1st Dragoons, the 3rd Hussars, 4th Hussars, 4th Dragoons, 7th Hussars, 11th Hussars, and the 5th, 18th, 24th, 80th, 82nd, 95th, 96th and 109th Regiments of Foot. Part of them served with Major Barrow in a similar capacity through the Zulu campaign,…
A few familiar names amongst the officers from the Zulu War. One of whom served at Hlobane and Khambula under Buller’s command. Two familiar regiments included amongst the mounted infantry as well.
JY