Captain Francis Cyril Dunn-Gardner was commissioned into 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment Militia) in 1891 and promoted Lieutenant in 1893. He was appointed Captain in the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment on 19.2.1900. Having volunteered for overseas service, the 4th Battalion sailed for South Africa on 25.2.1900. Until its return in May 1902 it was stationed at Bethulie for the protection of the strategically important railway bridge over the Orange River. Two Companies formed part of the garrison of Burgersdorp. One C.B., two D.S.Os and four D.C.Ms were awarded to members of the Battalion. Dunn-Gardner disappears from the Army List in April 1901 and a note besides his name in the medal roll reads 'Removed from Army', signed 15.7.1901.