Hello all, I am new to this site, I have visited it briefly on previous occasions, but I only recently discovered that my Great Grandfather Thomas was a Zulu war veteran.
Me and my wife started to research my family about 10 years ago starting with family stories of a bodyguard to Napoleon on St. Helena, that gave us many avenues to wander, including a trip on the Mail ship to St. Helena in 2012.
One ancestor who proved more difficult to investigate was my Great Grandfather, although we had his grave to visit, and spoke to family who remembered him including one who had his Egypt Medal and Khedive Star, no one knew anything of his military service. However my wife with her terrier tenacity eventually found his marriage certificate and by tortuous means of his fathers occupation she found his Military Record.
Thus Tom was revealed to be (2280) RA 12681 Gunner in the Royal Artillery and served in the Zulu war receiving the South Africa Medal and Clasp. He travelled on Andean landing 11.3.79 I can see he was in O/6 battery during the second invasion. I have read that this unit didn’t take their guns but acted as ammunition carriers and was split in two for their actions so I have no way of knowing exactly which battles he witnessed. His S.A. Medal whereabouts are unknown, he married into our family in 1884 so these awards may have been left with his parents or siblings prior to this.
Tom died aged 92 in 1952 so he was probably one of the last surviving veterans, he is buried in Hallow Worcestershire with his wife Susan she was Granddaughter of one of Napoleon’s bodyguards.
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