Neville Edmund Cornwall-Legh, Lieutenant, Royal Navy.

After serving on HMS London on the East Coast of Africa where he distinguished himself, Cornwall-Legh was returning home when he volunteered for service in the Zulu War. Her majesty’s counsel at Mozambique was Henry O’Neill, former Lieutenant of HMS London. O’Neill took Cornwall-Legh with him on an 80 mile expedition to survey the Maputa River, and pacify the Amatonga tribe and prevent them from allying with the Zulu.

Afterwards Cornwall-Legh accompanied the Amatonga ambassadors to Pietermaritzburg to meet with British officials. Cornwall-Legh remained in Natal until returning back to England with Lord Chelmsford and Lieutenant A. B. Milne, RN on the steamship “German”. Awarded 1879 Medal, No clasp (appears on the “Medal Roll under Miscellaneous Corps & Regiments.”)

Petty Officer Tom

Neville Edmund Cornwall Legh was born on 16 January 1854. He was the son of Brigadier Edmund Cornwall Legh and Julia Parker. He died on 21 June 1902 at age 48, unmarried.

LEIGH AND LEGH OF HIGH LEGH.

http://www.thornber.net/cheshire/htmlfiles/legh.html

1859 — LEGH, E. 0., Lieutenant-Colonel—1902.
LEGH, N. E. C, Lieutenant. Inscription: — In loving memory of Edmund Cornwall Legh. This cross is erected by his wife and children.

' Blessed are the merciful.'
And Neville Edward Cornwall, son of E. C Legh, lieut., who died at Sydney, N. S. W., June 21st, 1902, aged 48. '

There is mercy with Thee.' Sacred to the memory of Lieut.-Col. E. C. Legh, C. B., H. M. 97th Regt. He died at Banda, June 3rd, 1859. This monument was erected by his brother officers as a mark of their respect and esteem. [There are here three inscriptions : two to Lieutenant-Colonel Legh, one by his wife and one by his brother officers, and one to his son. Edmund Cornwall Legh (1821-1859)was the son of G. J, Legh, of High Legh. He married Julia, daughter of Neville Parker of New Brunswick, and left a son, Neville Edmund Cornwall, (not Edward as in inscription), born 1854, and a daughter. The family traces its descent to Oswald de Lega of East Hall, Cheshire ; the date is not given but it was 11 generations before 1451, so that the family must be extremely old. The succession of H-gh Legh has been unbroken since at least the 7th generation.]

Tom. Would Neville Edmund Cornwall Legh have been on involved in the slave trade. Has I have HMS London East Africa during that era.
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littlehand,

Yes, HMS London was at Zanzibar, on the East Coast of Africa, involved in the suppression of the slave trade. Legh was a Sub-Lieutenant at the time he was serving on board. He was mentioned in despatches for an incident in trying to apprehend slave traders. As a consequnece he was promoted to Lieutenant.

Petty Officer Tom

Thanks Tom. Would he have been on-board the ship when the murder of Captain C.J. Brownrigg to place.

littlehand,

Captain Brownrigg died in 1881. By that time Legh had already returned to England.

(Sorry for the short answers, but I am away from home on business and don't have access to my files.)

Petty Officer Tom

Thanks Tom.

I trying to find out

Quote:

"He was mentioned in despatches for an incident in trying to apprehend slave traders. As a consequnece he was promoted to Lieutenant."

What he did to get promoted.

Been following this thread, I would also like to know what Cornwall Legh did to get promoted. I have been looking, but my P.C. Skills have a lot to be desired.

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THE LONDON GAZETTE, MAY 11, 1883.

littlehand,

I can't find the original source right now but here is what I had on file for Lt. Legh:

"Legh, N. E. C., Sub-Lieutenant of the "London" 1878-79; actively employed in the suppressionof the slave trade on the East Coast of Africa; highly distinguished himself, and was several times under fire and mentioned in despatches and also by Sir John Kirk in his reports to the Foreign Office, and promoted to Lieutenant."

Here is an iInteresting piece of product promotion by Lieutenant Legh. It was a year after his retirement.

http://books.google.com/books?id=rxcAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PP12&zoom=3&hl=e#v=onepage&q&f=false

Petty Officer Tom

Here is the original source for above:

65. LEGH, N. E. C, Sub-Lieutenant of the " London," 1878-79; actively employed in the suppression of the slave trade on the East Coast of Africa; highly distinguished himself, and was several times under fire and mentioned in despatches and also by Sir John Kirk in his reports to the Foreign Office, and promoted to Lieutenant. On his way home, on arrival at Delagoa Bay, volunteered for service in the Zulu war, and rendering important service by surveying the Mapnta River, and pacifying the Amatonga tribe ; received the thanks of General Sir Garnet Wolseley, Commander-in-Chief, and from the Admiralty the expression of their Lordships' satisfaction and approval (Zulu Medal); F.R.G.S. at the representation of Sir Bartle Frere. Vide Royal Humane Society's Medals.
(Taken from The Royal Navy List, January 1884, "War & Meritorious Service" section)

Petty Officer Tom

littlehand,

This might have something to do with his promotion. (Legh was promoted to Lieutenant 22 Feb, 1879)

"Dr. Kirk to the Marquis of Salisbury.—{Received December 9.)

My Lord, Zanzibar, October 31, 1878.

I HAVE the honour to forward Decree of Condemnation in the case of thirty-five slaves taken on one of the outlying islands to the west of Pemba by Sub-Lieutenant Neville E. C. Legh, of Her Majesty's ship " London."

These slaves were all natives of Nyassa and the interior, and knew nothing of the coast dialect. They had been shipped from near Kilwa, and landed on the island where found the day previous to capture.
The officer, Sub-Lieutenant Legh, and interpreter, on this occasion behaved with much judgment in securing so many of the slaves, although fired on and attacked by the Arab guard, one of whom was disarmed and taken prisoner.

This Arab, a native of Oman, has been given over to the Sultan to undergo a rigorous punishment in irons in prison.

I have, &c.
(Signed) JOHN KIRK.

(Taken from Parliamentary Papers, Vol. LXVI, page 244)

Petty Officer Tom

Almost forgot!

Captain Charles James Brownrigg was Captain of HMS Euphrates during the Zulu War.

Tom, Graves. Thanks for the replies and the time taken to search for the information. I have been looking for his grave, but no luck. Guess i'm Relying on you again Graves.