Formed April 1885 with six companies
which was extended to eight and 547 rank and file. Its
First C.O. Lt. Colonel Vandeleur. In August 1885 became
the 4th Volunteer Bn. In 1888 the formation of Volunteer
Infantry Brigades placed the 4th originally in the Portland
Brigade and was transferred to the Portsmouth in 1890.
The
4th V.B. Formed a company of New Forest Scouts who were
mounted on New Forest ponies.
In
1903 following the end of the South African War Colonel
Thomson relinquished command of the 4th to Major Scott-Montagu
( Later Lord Montagu of Beaulieu )
1908
The Hampshire Volunteer Battalions Became the 4th to
8th Battalions T.F. The 4th becoming the 7th Battalion
commanded by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu. In 1912 Lord
Montagu of Beaulieu vacated his position to Lt. Colonel
Parke formerly a Major in the Durham Light Infantry.
Click
for Information on the 7th Battalion during WW1
