1881-1914

The Childers Reforms of the British Army in 1881 resulted in the amalgamation of many infantry regiments, and the abandonment of the regimental numbering system. The 71^st Highland Light Infantry, and the 74^th Highland became the 1^st and 2^nd Battalions of the The Highland Light Infantry.

The 1^st Battalion HLI were stationed in Britain from 1881 to 1895, then in Malta from 1895 to 1898. 1^st HLI served in Crete during rioting in 1898 before returning to Britain in 1899.

The Boer War 1899-1902 saw 1^st HLI take part in the battles of Belmont (1899), Modder River (1899) and Magersfontein (1899), and numerous other engagements. In 1903 1^st HLI left South Africa for Egypt (1903-1904) then Sudan (1904-1905), then to India (1905-1914).

The 2nd Battalion saw action at the Battle of Tel El Kebir in September 1882 during the Anglo-Egyptian War: Lieutenant William Edwards was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the battle. The 2^nd Battalion was stationed in Britain from 1883, but moved to India the following year.

1897-1898 2^nd HLI were part of the Malakand Field Force during operations on the North West Frontier of India. 2^nd HLI remained in India from 1884 to 1900, when they returned to the British Isles, where they remained until 1914.

In 1898, Captain (The Honourable) Alexander Hore-Ruthven of the 3^rd (Militia) Battalion HLI, saw service in the Sudan with the Egyptian Army under the command of Kitchener. At Gedarif, on the 22^nd of September, Captain Hore-Ruthven rescued a wounded Egyptian officer, carrying him safely back to the British squares under heavy fire and pursued by a large group of Dervishes. For this selfless action he was awarded the Victoria Cross.