Order 70, the culmination of the Cardwell-Childers reforms of the Army's organisation, came into effect. 1884 13 MarchBattle of Tamai 22 MarchBattle of Tofrek 1885 JanuaryBattle of Abu Klea 28 JanuaryGeneral Charles George Gordon is killed by Mahommed Ahmed (the self-proclaimed Mahdi) after his siege of Khartoum; British relief force arrives two-days later. 8 FebruaryBattle of Schuinshoogte 10 FebruaryBattle of Kirbekan 27 FebruaryBattle of Majuba Hill 30 DecemberBattle of Ginnis 1889The Maxim machine gun is introduced. 3 AugustBattle of Toski 1896 7 JuneBattle of Ferkeh 1898 8 AprilBattle of Atbara 2 SeptemberBattle of Omdurman 24 NovemberBattle of Umm Diwaykarat 1899–1918 Second Boer War 1899 11 OctoberWar is declared. 20 OctoberThe first major battle of the war takes place at Talana Hill. December"Black Week", in which the Army suffered a series of defeats, takes place. 1900 28 FebruaryThe siege of Ladysmith is lifted. 1 AprilThe Irish Guards is formed in honour of the Irish regiments in the Boer War. 17 MayThe siege of Mafeking comes to an end. 1902 31 MayWar ends with the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging. 1905The 5th Battalion, The Royal Garrison Regiment is the last British battalion to leave Canada. 1908The Territorial Force (later Army) is formed. 1911 1 AprilFollowing an order issued on 28 February, the Air Battalion Royal Engineers is formed. 1912The Vickers machine gun is introduced into the Army; it remains in service until 1968. 13 MayThe Air Battalion Royal Engineers becomes the Royal Flying Corps. It remains part of the Army. First World War 1914 4 AugustBritain declares war on Germany. AugustBritish Expeditionary Force begins to deploy to France. 19 OctoberThe First Battle of Ypres begins in Belgium. 1915 26 FebruaryThe Welsh Guards becomes the last Foot Guards regiment to be formed. 25 AprilLandings at Helles, Gallipoli. 10 AugustLandings at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. 22 OctoberThe Machine Gun Corps is formed. 1916 AprilThe Easter Rising in Dublin takes place . 1 JulyThe First Day of the Somme begins; about 60,000 casualties are incurred, 20,000 of whom had been killed. 1917 28 JulyThe Heavy Branch of the Machine Gun Corps is split off to form the Tank Corps (later the Royal Tank Regiment). 8 NovemberAbout 200 men of the Warwickshire Yeomanry and Worcestershire Yeomanry charge with sabres drawn and defeat an Ottoman battery and a large group of Ottoman infantry at Huj. It was one of the last cavalry charges by the British Army.