I received today in the post a letter sent over a century ago by my great grandfather, text as follows:

"1 Stanhope Gardens. SW. 17 March [18]97

Sir, I have received your letter with reference to the proposed volunteer movement, for which I thank you. The following are the conditions under which the Corps will be sent out, provided sufficient funds are supplied.

1. No pay will be given.

2. Passages and outfit will be provided for those who cannot afford to provide these for themselves.

3. All who go will have to be medically examined beforehand, and must sign a declaration accepting the discipline of the English Army Act.

4. Those who go will be under the orders of British officers. You will kindly let me know whether you are willing to accept the above conditions and whether you are prepared to defray your own expenses.

I am, Yours truly, H. J. Torr. Per H. G."

H. J. Torr is Herbert James Torr, Captain of the North Lincolnshire Militia, and some time Liberal candidate for Parliament. More about his life here. H. G. is H. G Torr: his son?

I wonder what the crisis was to which the militia was invited to contribute? My first thought was that this must be the beginnings of the Boer War. Yet although the Jameson Raid had already taken place, and General Milner was already campaigning for the British Government to intervene, the conflict would not begin for another thirty months.

I note from http://lincsregiment.tripod.com/page5.html that by 1897 the Lincolnshire Regiment was in Egypt, 'They were posted in Cairo and after almost a year there they had just about got ready for embarkation to India when they were ordered to join the force which Kitchener was gathering for the re-conquest of the Sudan.'

There is also an image on the web of the Regiment sight-seeing at the Sphinx in Cairo:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/%7emilitaryimages/winf7.htm

If anyone has any other leads I'd be very grateful.