2377 Pte. J. Booth, 91st Foot

“James Booth was born in Bury, Lancaster and enlisted in the 20th Foot in April 1878, aged 19 years. Transferring to the 1st Battalion, 91st Foot a few months later, he was embarked for South Africa in February 1879 and served in the Zululand operations in July-September. Returning to the U.K. in December 1885, Booth was discharged in March 1890;service record and medal roll verification.”

ADMIN wrote:

“James Booth was born in Bury, Lancaster and enlisted in the 20th Foot in April 1878, aged 19 years. Transferring to the 1st Battalion, 91st Foot a few months later, he was embarked for South Africa in February 1879 and served in the Zululand operations in July-September. Returning to the U.K. in December 1885, Booth was discharged in March 1890;service record and medal roll verification.”

His medal was sold in 1991 for £130.00

James Booth was 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.