BAILEY’S SOUTH AFRICAN SHARPSHOOTERS

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BWM L/SJT S. Burroughs S.A.S.; 
AVM (Bil.) CPL S. Burroughs S.A.S. 

 

Sydney Burroughs (Musketry Instructor, South African Police) enlisted on 10 April 1916. He was then 41 years old and was given the Regimental number ‘9’ being one of the first 17 marksmen who joined this specialised unit.

 

He had previously served with the 15th and 19th Hussars. He served right until the end of the War, discharged at Maitland on 11 July 1919.

 

In response to a British War Office request, a small sharpshooter’s unit was formed in South Africa to serve in Europe. Recruited and financed by Sir Bailey, the unit was named Bailey’s South African Sharpshooters and fought in France and Belgium from April 1916 to the Armistice, in a British Division.

 

A total of 24 men served in this formation, of whom 6 were killed in action and 7 received medical discharges after injuries. 

 

The Bailey’s South African Sharpshooters reckoned to have killed more than 3 000 Germans.They left South Africa in three batches. The first of 17 men leaving 22 April 1916 in R.M.S. Saxon and arriving in France 30.5.16 in time for the Battle of the Somme.

 

The unit was attached to the KRRC and the Northamptonshire’s of the 2nd Brigade 1st Division under Major General Strickland and served until the Occupation of Germany.

 

Lieut. Methven, the officer in charge received a glowing testimonial from General Strickland. A number were decorated, 6 were killed in action, 7 receiving medical discharges.