Mounted in Malta.

[Red Tom]

It may seem blindingly obvious,but any info would be appreciated as to why he may have received this training....

[km1971]

Infantry battalions started to train volunteers as mounted infantry in about 1895. Just in time for the Boer War. A number of MI battalions were created. These fought separately from the infantry.

Ken

[Red Tom]

Thank you Ken,is it likely that he would  have been exclusively used in this capacity for the remainder of his service?

[km1971]

While they were in South Africa or say India they probably were. But back Home they would have reverted to standard infantry.

Infantry MI kept their standard length rifles as there were not enough carbines to go around.

Ken

[Red Tom]

While they were in South Africa or say India they probably were. But back Home they would have reverted to standard infantry.

Infantry MI kept their standard length rifles as there were not enough carbines to go around.

Ken

That makes sense, after Malta, he served in S.Africa,Gibraltar, and S.Africa again.
Your comment re the rifles is interesting, was there much difference in size?

[km1971]

Your comment re the rifles is interesting, was there much difference in size?

For the Lee Metford it was 40 inches compared to 49.5 inches. The SMLE - the standard WW1 rifle - was 44.5 inches. Hence the need for a longer bayonet for the SMLE.

Ken

[Red Tom]

Thank you Ken, as a matter of interest, which is this,standard length?

[km1971]

I only used standard in terms that the SMLE was the standard rifle during WW1. Although the British army bought American rifles when SMLEs were in short supply.

Nice photography. I hope you have the original. Note the bucket behind his right foot to take the butt of the rifle.

The bandolier holds single cartridges as the bullets were feed into the magazine one at a time. The SMLE used a clip/charger to load five at a time, so the bandolier was changed to this type - http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=707458.0

His rifle is either a (long) Magazine Lee-Enfield or a (long) Magazine Lee-Metford.

Ken

[Red Tom]

Thank you Ken, I'll find this info extremely useful when I finally do my relatives military story.
And re the photo, it was lifted from a site, and as I only intended to use it for reference purposes, I neglected to note which one, so am unable to credit it....
regards, Tom.