New member

Posts : 13 Join date : 2020-07-14

Thank you for allowing me to join the group, I hope to learn a lot here.

Crimea

Posts : 5 Join date : 2020-07-14

Hi, I'm new to the forum today, so I hope posting here is correct!
I'm looking for information on Gunner William Adams of 7th Brigade Royal Regiment of Artillery. I have a his marriage record from St Helena dated 1873, which has been over-written "struck of married Establishment 28.7.79. I believe that HMS Shah left St Helena for Durban then, and I know from the 1881 census that he had retired from active service by then and lived in Cheltenham (his birth town). From his age in 1881, his birth would be c 845, but I do not know the attestation date or his service number.

Can anyone help me with information about him or the movements of the 7th Brigade so that I in turn can help a friend with his ancestors which he knows absolutely nothing about apart from his Grandfather's name (not even his father's name)!

Thanks and regards
AlanB

Posts : 5 Join date : 2020-07-14

Apologies! That should have been 1845!

Subject: Re: New member Wed Jul 15, 2020 6:23 pm

AlanB,

We have recently answered an enquiry regarding R M Adams, who also served in 11/7 R. A. posed by CathyW.

That will help you with the movements of the battery.

However, I cannot find a W. Adams from 11/7 R. A., on the Medal Roll for the Zulu campaign. It is feasible that his term of enlistment had expired and he was making his way home.

JY

Posts : 5 Join date : 2020-07-14

Thanks for the reply John,
How many batteries did the 7th Brigade have? I had a suspicion (can't remember where from) that it might have been 8 Battery he was in? Does that make any sense - did the 7th HAVE an 8 Battery? Also which part of 7th Brigade went on the Shah? Was it the whole brigade?

He could (as you say) have been on his way home, but he still would have had a service number, and I can't find it!

Sorry, so many questions and I have absolutely no idea how on earth to use this forum - it seems very confusing to me (like it says I've had 3 replies, but I can only see yours!).

Thanks for the help.
Kind regards
Alan

Subject: Re: New member Wed Jul 15, 2020 10:15 pm

AlanB,

Sorry my mind is elsewhere at present.

In my haste to answer you I neglected other batteries of 7th Brigade, Royal Artillery which in the Zulu Campaign.

Elements of No. 8 Battery, 7th Brigade, Royal Artillery, three officers and fifty-two other ranks, embarked from Saint Helena on H.M.S. Shah on 12th February 1879, arriving in Durban on 6th March 1879. They served in the field between 2nd April until 2nd August 1879. They garrisoned a number of fortifications during their deployment, but never saw any action against the Zulu.

Elements of No. 10 Battery, 7th Brigade, Royal Artillery, two officers and fifty-two other ranks, embarked from Mauritius on the Umvoti on 12th March 1879, arriving in Durban on 26th March 1879. They were subsequently designated a Gatling Gun battery. They served during the second invasion of Zululand.

No. 11 Battery, 7th Brigade, Royal Artillery, served throughout the campaign, with detachments serving in the Coastal and Northern Columns.

For a better understanding of the role of the Royal Artillery in Zulu War of 1879 see [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

JY

Posts : 357 Join date : 2017-02-05 Location : Texas, U.S.A.

Alan,

It was Number 8 Battery, 7 Brigade, R.A. that sailed from St. Helena on 14 February 1879 and arriving at Durban on 6 March 1879.

Two other batteries of 7 Brigade also were sent to Durban, South Africa.
Number 10 Battery, 7 Brigade sailed from Mauritius 12 March 1879 aboard the merchant ship “Umvoti” and arrived at Durban, South Africa on 26 March 1879.
Number 11 Battery, 7 Brigade sailed from Southampton aboard merchant ship “Olympus” on 24 February, arriving at Durban, South Africa 31 March 1879.

I had a quick look through D. R. Forsyth’s “South African War Medal 1877-8-9” and there is no Gunner W. Adams listed for Number 8 Battery.

Tom

Posts : 5 Join date : 2020-07-14

Hi Guys,
Thanks for this info!!!
So I gather that not all of 7th Brigade left St Helena in March 1879, and I guess that if his service period was nearly at the end, he may have stayed in St Helena and never saw action.
I've discovered another record on Ancestry (the original is on Fold3.com, but I'm not a member) which has a Chelsea Pensioner admission/discharge for a William Adams, Gnr Royal Artillery dated 28 July 1879 - the exact date noted on his marriage record in St Helena.

There is also a service number on Forces War Records for a William Adams, Gunner Royal Artillery, Service Number 6250. He had served for 18 years with recommendation date of 1879, but that is noted as Coastal Brigade. Think these are pretty convincing... but was the 7th Brigade also 'Coastal"?

How can I check out the 6250? If that number appears for St Helena, then I have a real match!

Thank you SO much for your insights
Kind regards
Alan

Subject: Re: New member Thu Jul 16, 2020 8:15 pm

Alan,

Just correct your opening paragraph, not all of No. 8 Battery, 7th Brigade, Royal Artillery left Saint Helena on the Shah. Half of the battery remained on the island to man the defences, the cannon at Ladder Hill Fort which commanded the harbour at Jamestown were fixed positioned heavy coastal defence cannon. So I think you have your answer.

JY

Posts : 5 Join date : 2020-07-14

Thanks John - Wow, great info on the coastal defences!!!
Now I'm sure I have my answer!
Regards
Alan

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