2377 Pte. J. Booth 91st Foot) (Argyle Highlanders)

Regiment took part in the advance on Zululand and the major actions which followed. Born in Bury, Lancaster in 1859, a Card Room Hand by trade, he enlisted without bounty for 12 years on 30th March 1878 with regimental number 1000. His enlistment was for the 17th Brigade Depot. He voluntarily transferred to the 91st Regiment on 17th February the following year, his regimental number changing to 2377. He departed for South Africa 2 days later. One can only surmise that by joining a regiment preparing to sail for Africa, that he decided that he fancied a taste of adventure. He was to remain in South Africa for nearly seven years. While there, on 30th June 1881 the 91st became the 1st battalion the newly formed Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders on their amalgamation with the 93rd regiment. While in South Africa he spent 3 months on the Zulu campaign, with the 91st taking part in the action at Gingindlovu, relief of Eshowe, and the Zulu impi’s final defeat at Ulundi. Booth then returned in Cape Town until in March 1884, he returned to Zululand for six months. Next he was based in Natal until he left for home, finally arriving on Christmas Eve 1885. he served a further four years at home before being discharged on 31st March 1890. at the end of his period of enlistment. He subsequently lived at 12 Hercules Green, West Chadderton, Oldham, Lancashire.