Both battalions served in South Africa during the Second Boer War (1899–1902). The 1st battalion was present at the Battle of Talana Hill in October 1899 and the various engagements leading to the Relief of Ladysmith. Meanwhile, the 2nd Battalion saw action at the Battle of the Tugela Heights in February 1900. The 2nd Battalion was commanded by Colonel Richard S. H. Moody from January 1901 until the campaign ended in June 1902, when some of it returned to England on the "SS Custodian", which landed at Southampton in August 1902. About 500 officers and men of the 1st battalion returned home on the SS "Pinemore" in October 1902, after the war had ended three months earlier. Some of the 2nd Battalion left South Africa for British India early the following year, and was stationed at Rawalpindi.