Brevet Major W.R.B. Chamberlin

Posts : 7 Join date : 2011-03-19

Would any kind Gentleman have any information on Brevet Major W.R.B.Chamerlin. I Know he served in the Kaffir
war in E company, which my Grandfathers Brother was attached to

Regards.
DAVID-LL

Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

"Lieutenant-Colonel William Richard Bigsby Chamberlain was born at Retford, Nottinghamshire in 1839 and entered the Army as an Ensign in 1858. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1859 and to Captain in 1865, he served in the Kaffir War of 1877-8, in which he was injured and received the Brevet of Major. In the Zulu War of 1879, he served as Commandant of Fort Napier at Pietermaritzburg, his earlier injuries preventing him taking a more active role in the Campaign. He was, however, made Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel and retired in the same year"

Subject: Re: Brevet Major W.R.B. Chamberlin Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:41 pm

1st Column 2nd from the bottom. Would this be the same chap. 24th reg of foot.

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Subject: Re: Brevet Major W.R.B. Chamberlin Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:51 pm

2nd Column. In list of names. Under mentioned to become majors

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Subject: Re: Brevet Major W.R.B. Chamberlin Sun Apr 01, 2012 8:59 pm

1st Column 3rd name down.
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Subject: Brvt - Major , W.R.B. Chamberlain . Sun Apr 01, 2012 11:28 pm

Hi all .
It seems to be the same chap , ' The Noble 24th ' by Norman Holme has one of his middle names as Richard , whereas the army list has it as Richardson , a little more detail concerning Ctsg's posting ; Born 14 / 10 / 39 , Ensign 1 / 5 / 58 , Lt 21 / 10/ 59 ,
Capt 16 / 5 / 65 , Brvt - Maj 1 /10 / 77 , Brvt Lt - Col 18 /10 / 79 , Retired 23 / 10 / 79. He remained as Commandant at Ft. Napier.
South Africa Medal with Clasp 77-78-79.
cheers 90th. Salute

Subject: Re: Brevet Major W.R.B. Chamberlin Mon Apr 02, 2012 12:17 am

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It was presumed he was chopped with the rest at Isandlwana.

Subject: Re: Brevet Major W.R.B. Chamberlin Mon Apr 02, 2012 7:02 am

Littlehand
If that report is reffering to a list of killed its like most of the other newspaper reports, absolute rubbish. Look at the supposed killed names? Symonds, Rainforth etc. If the report is merely saying they were there its still rubbish.

Regards

Posts : 747 Join date : 2009-10-18

This artical has been posted before. I think it was Liitlehand who posted it showing how wrong they got it. But it could also show,that no one really knew who was where.

Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

William Richardson Bigsby-Chamberlin (born Bigsby) was the son of Thomas Bigsby-Chamberlin (born Bigsby) and Harriet Kirke. He was born at East Retford, Nottinghamshire, in 1839.
He never married and died Eastbourne Sussex, in 1925, aged 86.

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1881 Census

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1891 Census

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1901 Census

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1911 Census

Please note William's surname has many spellings

Chamberlin, Chamberlain and Chamberline.

Andy

Posts : 75 Join date : 2011-02-26 Location : Scotland

I have Lt Colonel Chamberlain’s South Africa medal on my website which I’m selling for a customer and everything I’ve seen research wise indicates he was Commandant at Fort Napier during the Zulu War. However, I was doing a bit of research on something else and I found the following relating to Chamberlain, published in the Manchester Evening News, 8 March 1879:

“Brevet Major Chamberlain succeeds the late Colonel Pulleine in temporary command of the 24th Regiment during the absence of Colonel Glyn.”

I presume it must mean 1/24th as this was Glyn and Pulleine battalion but since Chamberlain was 2/24th why not one of the 1st battalions officers?? I’ve not been able to establish how long he was in command and I can't think it would have been for too long (days???) but given the date of publication, it must have been within weeks of the battle of Isandhlwana.

I can accept that its very possible Chamberlain was briefly at other locations during the war and he may well have called to Rorke’s Drift briefly after Isandhlwana but I can find nothing that mentions this.

Anyone have any ideas?

Justin

Posts : 588 Join date : 2013-05-07 Location : Brecon

Justin,

There is no mention of this appointment in the Service Record of 1/24th. It only mentions that Major Dunbar assumed command of 1/24th on 11 May 1879. Chamberlin commanded E Company 2/24th at the Perie Mission Station in March 1878.

Posts : 75 Join date : 2011-02-26 Location : Scotland

Thanks Kenny.

I could find no mention in the published works on the 24th either, though I do have his service with E company etc:

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Justin

Posts : 588 Join date : 2013-05-07 Location : Brecon

I note the ribbon on the medal is a modern replacement version. It issued type had a lighter blue.

Posts : 75 Join date : 2011-02-26 Location : Scotland

It is indeed. All too often the nice original silk ribbons have either fallen apart or have unfortunately been replaced by past collectors who prefer new ones

» Brevet Major Hugh McCalmont
» Brevet Major Stuart Smith, N Battery, 5th Brigade, Royal Artillery
» Brevet Major Walter Parke Jones, R. E.