On 11 Jan 1896, England, Portsdown. Army Order 18 of January 1896 ordering the swinging of disengaged arm when marching with rifles at 'the shoulder' position, instead of keeping arm steady.
During 1896, England, Portsdown. Instruction received allotting battalion on mobilization, to 6 Brigade, 1st Army Corps to Field Army, for Home Defence.
On 28 Feb 1896, England, Portsmouth. Draft (One Officer, 85 Other Ranks, one woman and three children) sailed in HMS 'Malagar' to join 1st Battalion at Karachi.
On 1 Apr 1896, England, Portsdown. Battalion distributed among hill forts:- Fort Widley - Headquarters and 'A' Company (22 Corporals and 107 Men). Fort Purbrook - Band, 'E' and 'H' Companies (20 Corporals and 109 Men. Fort Southwick - Drums, 'C' and 'D' Companies (22 Corporals and 103 Men). Fort Nelson - 'B' and 'G' Companies (9 Corporals and 30 Men). Tipnor Magazine - 'F' Company (10 Corporals and 52 Men). Fort Bomer (for Musketry) 15 Corporals and 71 Men).
On 1 June 1896, England, Portsdown. New Officers dress regulations. With effect from 31 December 1898. 1. Officers 'Marching Order' clearly defined. 2. Sash worn only with tunic and on orderly duty. 3. Sword belt to be worn under the red patrol. 4. New mess jacket allowed to revert to them.
During July 1896, Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mekometer Range Finder supercedes Weldon. Team (One Officer, one Warrant Officer, eight NCOs and Men) to Ottowa, to take part in the rifle meeting of the Dominion Rifle Association of Canada
On 1 Aug 1896, England, War Office. Army Order: Blue patrol jacket for officers abolished. Replaced by blue serge jacket of similar pattern to scarlet serge jacket. Bearskin flounce abolished. Sealed pattern for officers changes head rope introduced. Obsolete items may be used until 31 December 1898.
On 22 Aug 1896, England, Portsdown. Battalion ('B', 'C', 'D', 'E', 'F' and 'H' Companies comprising - 23 Officers, 80 Corporals and 588 Men) encamped on Portsdown Hill. Marched to Petersfield on 24 August, to Bordon on 25 August and to Aldershot on 26 August and encamped on Farnborough Common as part of 4th Brigade 2nd Mobile Division, with 2nd Scottish Rifles (90th), 1st Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders (91st) and 2nd Gordon Highlanders (92nd).
On 27 Aug 1896, Canada, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Draft (Eight Corporals, 275 Privates, three women and four children) joined from 2nd Battalion at Devonport.
On 12 Sept 1896, England, Farnborough. Due to severely inclement weather, Battalion returned by rail to Portsdown. Forts occupied as under Fort Widley Headquarters, 'A', and 'E' Companies - 34 Corporals and 114 Men. Fort Purbrook - Band, 'F' and 'H' Companies - 28 Corporals and 104 Men. Fort Southwick - Drums, 'C' and 'D' Companies - 30 Corporals and 97 Men. Fort Nelson - 'B' and 'G' Companies - 24 Corporals and 133 Men (Tipnor Magazine Garrisoned by 2 Shropshire