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Prior to the Boer War, the only active service wtnessed by the Leicestershire
Militia had been a stint in Ireland during the Napoleonic Wars. For this reason, the Militia badge featured not a Tiger but
a Harp (left).
In the days before the Welfare State, the Militia had a reputation as
a safety net for the urban and rural poor. The retainer paid for part time service was useful in times of economic hardship
or when harvests were bad. In time of war, a militia unit could be embodied (mobilised), but its members were not liable for
overseas service unless they so wished.
Twice during the Boer War the Leicestershire Militia was embodied, and
on both occasions its members offered their services overseas. On the first occasion this was declined, the battalion instead
being posted to the Curragh Camp in Ireland. The second time the offer was accepted and the battalion was ordered
to South Africa to take over blockhouse lines (above) in the closing stages of the Boer War.
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