Member, St John’s Ambulance, South Africa, 1900.jpg

British forces fighting the Boers in South Africa did not fare well during the conflict. Though they beat the Boers with military force and logistic depravation, the British soldier suffered much in initial combat. The need for increased medical support led the St John’s Ambulance organisation to send trained members to serve alongside the military’s medical services in SA.

This senior member is shown in the uniform worn by his section leaving England. He wears the Army pattern uniform in a lighter khaki drill. His helmet has a metal chin chain hooked up for more comfortable wear. The St John’s badge was attached to the front.

The jacket is devoid of decoration, apart from his ‘rank’ insignia of three white (possibly silver) stripes on dark blue backing. This is worn in military fashion on the right upper sleeve.

Over the jacket he carries a whitened leather waistbelt, a canvas haversack (over right shoulder) and water bottle (over left shoulder).

His drill trousers are tucked into leather gaiters, as worn by the Army.

On campaign it is likely an armband with Geneva cross would be worn, and serge replacing drill in the colder areas and months.