at Hampstead. However, by 1880 all the linked battalions had moved into Hounslow Barracks, which was shared with the Royal Fusiliers. Burgh House became a private residence once more in 1884. Middlesex Regiment The Childers Reforms took Cardwell's reforms further, with the linked battalions forming single regiments. From 1 July 1881 the 57th and 77th Regiments became the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment), with the Royal East Middlesex becoming the 4th (Royal East Middlesex Militia) Battalion (at the same time the Royal Elthorne Militia became the 3rd Bn). In 1904 the Middlesex Regiment established its own regimental depot at Mill Hill Barracks. During the late 1890s several regiments recruiting from large conurbations, including the Middlesex Regiment in the London suburbs, were increased from two to four battalions. When the new 3rd and 4th regular battalions for the Middlesex were authorised in March 1900 the militia battalions were renumbered accordingly, with the 4th becoming the 6th (Royal East Middlesex Militia) Battalion. Second Boer War After the disasters of Black Week at the start of the Second Boer War in December 1899, most of the Regular Army was sent to South Africa, and many militia units were called out. The 6th Middlesex was embodied on 13 December 1899. The battalion volunteered for overseas service and embarked for South Africa in February 1900 with a strength of 25 officers and 512 other ranks under the command of Col George Helme, a retired regular lieutenant-colonel who had been commanding officer since 20 February 1889. On arrival at Cape Town on 16 March, the battalion was sent to Piquetberg Road to prevent the North Western Rebellion from spreading south into Cape Colony. When the crisis was over, the battalion moved to Green Point, Cape Town, on 29 May to guard the Boer Prisoners of War being held there. A renewed threat to Cape Colony at the end of the year led to the battalion being sent back to Piquetberg Road on 4 January 1901, with half the battalion under Lt-Col Herbert Brenchley being at Ceres with the machine gun detachments, two companies at Malmesbury, and a company at Tulbagh. Martial Law was proclaimed and Col Helme was appointed commandant of the district. Later, detachments were sent to Karoo Poort, Gydo Pass, Wellington, Porterville, Waterfall and Brede River bridges, Clanwilliam and Calvinia. On 29 May the garrisons were reorganised,