The Battle Honour SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902 is emblazoned on the Regimental Colours of The Royal Irish Regiment.

This distinction was one of only six Battle Honours authorized for the Second Anglo-Boer War that began on 11 October 1899 and ended on 31 May 1902. Our antecedent Regiments awarded the South Africa distinction were:

The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers
The Royal Irish Rifles
The Royal Irish Fusiliers

The 5th Battalion The Royal Irish Rifles, a Militia Battalion, was awarded the Battle Honour SOUTH AFRICA 1901-1902. The London Irish Rifles too was granted, in recognition of service by its Volunteers, what was to be its very first Battle Honour, SOUTH AFRICA 1900-1902.