The Gordon Highlanders were officially formed in 1881 when two Scottish Regiments the 75th and 92nd were amalgamated during the Childers Reforms.

The 1st Battalion sailed on the Cheshire on 9th November 1899, and arrived at the Cape on 28th November. They saw action at the Battle of Magersfontein in December 1899 and were again in action at Doornkop, where they suffered severe losses, in May 1900 

The 2nd Battalion was one of the four infantry battalions which, along with three cavalry regiments and three batteries of artillery, were despatched from India to Natal in September 1899, when war was a foregone conclusion.The 2nd Gordons were part of the force in Ladysmith. Along with the 1st Devon and 1st Manchester they fought at Elandslaagte, 21st October 1899. They played a very prominent part in that battle, and out of the five companies present—about 425 officers and men—they had 123 casualties. Major Denne and 4 lieutenants were killed. Colonel W H Dick-Cunyngham and 7 other officers were wounded; 27 men were killed and 83 wounded.

The names of the men who served in the regiment are listed below