hi Ken, thanks so much for replying.
Just to clarify: the copies of my grandfather's army records are really difficult to read (obviously damaged during WW2). None of the pages that I have, have a number (or one that I can see/read).
The headings at the top of some of the pages say: Corps in which ?serving (difficult to read)/ Battn or Depot/Promotions, Reductions, Casualties, &c/Army Rank/Dates/ Service not allowed to reckon for fixing the rate of pension/Service in reserve not allowed to reckon towards GC pay/ Signature of officers, etc.
On one of the pages is when my grandfather enlisted/attested (25 Oct 1900), and this is stated as being '28 New Kent Road, SE' (there is no record of previous service prior to 1900). On another page of his records, the 25 Oct 1900 is crossed out and underneath it says that my grandfather joined the army at Birr (HQ of the Leinsters) on 27 October 1900 (another confusing bit of info: how could he have got there from London in 2 days at that time?).
Anyway, literally the next entry half an inch underneath, says (and I'm using the headings I've given above), Leinster/2nd/Posted/Pte/11.9.02/nil/nil/indistinct signature. Therefore there seems to be an almost 2-year gap in his army records.
On another page, there are details about my grandfather's medals: but they all related to WW1 (1914-15 Star, British something (can't read it), and Victory Medal - there is no mention of Boer War medals).
I have a couple of photos of my grandfather, when he was posted with the Leinsters to India in 1910-14, and it shows him wearing his Boer War ribbons. He's obviously got them, but I can't tie it up with his army record.
Thanks for any further help,
Clara
ETA: and I actually have these Boer War ribbons in my sweaty palms!