The regiment was originally formed from personnel of the Royal Reserve Regiments, a reserve force composed of veteran soldiers for home duties in the United Kingdom as a large part of the regular forces were sent to South Africa for service in the Second Boer War.

The new units were sent to relieve regular infantry battalions in overseas garrisons; this would allow the regular battalions previously stationed there to be sent on active service in South Africa.

A fifth battalion was raised in 1902, for service in Canada; it garrisoned Halifax, Nova Scotia from October 1902 until 1905, when it handed over its role to the Permanent Active Militia.

[3] It was the last British garrison to be based in Canada proper.

The cap badge worn by the regiment was the Royal Arms, as used by all British Army regiments and corps for which no unique badge has been authorised, including the General Service Corps, the English regiments of the Royal Reserve Regiments, and the Bermuda Militia Infantry.