N Batt 5th Bde RA

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-07-02

Has anyone any information or pointers on where these chaps saw service? Were they in on any action?

I've heard that they were brought in as reinforcements after Isandlwana

Regards

Rory

Posts : 178 Join date : 2017-02-05 Location : Texas, U.S.A.

Rory,

N Batt, 5th Brigade, R.A. lost 1 officer and 60 men at Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879. On 11 March 1879 1 officer and 68 men were sent out from England as drafts for N Batt, 5th Brigade aboard the hired transport "Andean, arriving at Durban on 14 April 1879. Not sure where they served after that. Hopefully someone with more knowledge of the Royal Artillery will provide further information.

Tom

Subject: Re: N Batt 5th Bde RA Sat Jul 04, 2020 8:07 am

After the Battery had been reinforced as described by Tom, it took part in the 2nd invasion as part of the IInd under Major-General Newdigate. One section of two cannon were detached from the Battery to form part of the garrison at Fort Newdigate, whilst the remaining two sections advancing to Ulundi.

The guns of N/5 supported the withdrawal of Buller’s reconnaissance on 3rd July 1879, and on the following day took part in the Battle of Ulundi.

Subsequently they served in Baker Russell’s force during the mopping-up operations, before proceeding to the Transvaal. The Battery subsequently served in the 1st Boer War 1880-81.

JY

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-07-02

Many thanks Tom and John. My interest was piqued by the possible acquisition of an 1879 clasp medal to 4709 Gnr. Ernest Jones. Sadfy his papers do not appear to be extant, but the medal roll confirms he saw action against the Zulus.

Does anyone know if they were caught up in the various sieges i.e. Pretoria, Potchefstroom.

Regards

Rory

Subject: Re: N Batt 5th Bde RA Sat Jul 04, 2020 10:49 am

Rory,

At least one section fought at Laing’s Nek, 28th January 1881.

There was also a detachment at Potchfstroom.

Only two men named Jones in the Battery at the start of the campaign Driver 2178 John William Jones & Driver 1435 William John Jones. The former was killed in action at iSandlwana.

Your man, I would venture, was a replacement.

JY

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-07-02

Thanks John

Definitely worthy of further research then.

Can't wait for the TNA to open so I can commission someone to copy the muster rolls for me - that should give me an indication of where Ernest Jones was deployed.

Agree 100% he would have been a replacement, post Isandlwana.

Regards

Rory

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-07-02

An addendum to my initial post - I am now in possession of the 1879 clasp medal to this chap - it is named to 4709 Gnr. E. Jones, 5th Battery, R.A.

So far so good but the conundrum is that the accompanying papers from Kew are iro an Ernest George Jones who was assigned no. 6018 which later changed to 10163 as his career progressed. Save for the fact that I can find no mention of N5 or 5th Battery in the papers, everything else almost tallies.

Nary is the number 4709 to be found. Is this a different man entirely?

Regards

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