The following telegram was received at Durban from Lord Kitchener, commanding the forces in South Africa:—­

“To O.C. 1st Devon Regiment,
Durban. 
“From Lord Kitchener,
Johannesburg.

“Please express to officers and men of the Regiment under your command my high appreciation of their services in South Africa during the war, which has already enhanced the great reputation of the Regiment.  In bidding you good-bye, I associate myself with all your comrades remaining in the country in hearty wishes for your future good luck.”

It should be added to the records of the battalion, which throughout two years and three months had fought and marched incessantly in South Africa, that it had never once experienced the slightest trace of an “unfortunate incident,” and had during that time lost only three prisoners of war, two of whom lost their way in the dark at Geluk and marched into enemy’s lines, the third having been taken during the company fight in the Badfontein valley against 300 of Ben Viljoen’s men.  The miles traversed by the battalion in the long continuous treks during the war are summarized as under.  The miles are measured off the map simply from place to place and from camp to camp, and they do not include the distances marched in fighting, flanking, or other movements, or in convoy work and expeditions in the Lydenburg district, which, if included, would probably double the distance marched.

Trek under Sir Redvers Buller.

August 7th till October 2nd, 1900.

Zandspruit to Lydenburg, 271 miles in 54 days, including all halts.

Trek under General Walter Kitchener.

April 13th till September 2nd, 1901.

Lydenburg, Secoconi’s country, Middleburg, Swazi Border, Bethel, Springs, Middleburg, Bothas Berg, and country north of the railway line. 1006 miles in 141 days, including all halts.

On the evening of January 1st the Regiment embarked on the s.s. Armenian, and was followed by the 2nd battalion Gordon Highlanders, who embarked on January 2nd.

On January 3rd the ship conveying the two regiments sailed for Bombay, which port was reached on January 18th.

Lord Northcote, the Governor of Bombay, received the two regiments on disembarkation and addressed them, congratulating them on their good work in South Africa.

The Devons entrained the same evening for Shahjehanpur in the United Provinces.

The honours gained by the officers and men of the battalion were as follows:—­

1.  Colonel Yule to be C.B. 2.  Lieutenant-Colonel Park to be Brevet-Colonel and Aide-de-Camp to the King. 3.  Major Davies, D.S.O., to be Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. 4.  Major Curry granted D.S.O. 5.  Captain Jacson to be Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on promotion to the rank of Major. 6.  Captain Norton Goodwyn, D.S.O., to be Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on promotion to the rank of Major. 7.  Captain Travers granted D.S.O. 8.  Captain and Adjutant Ravenshaw to be Brevet-Major. 9.  Captain Masterson to be Brevet-Major and awarded the Victoria Cross. 10.  Captain E.M.  Morris to be Brevet-Major. 11.  Lieutenant Emerson granted D.S.O. 12. " Willis granted D.S.O.