Sgt Isaac Holt 2nd Northamptonshire Regt: Fort Napier 1880-84

Any information on Sgt Isaac Holt 2nd Northamptonshire Regt (58th?): Fort Napier 1880-84 would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi Brian
Can’t find any Holts with the initial I on the medal roll (Zulu and Basuto Wars 1877-79 by Roy Dutton) for the 58th (Rutlandshire) Regt. There are a few possibles if the roll contains errors as a result of misread initials / typos though:
1124 Pte A Holt (no clasp)
1821 Pte J Holt (no clasp)
1609 Pte J Holt (medal with 1879 clasp)
1037 Pte T Holt (medal with 1879 clasp)
Less likely is 329 Cpl T Holton (medal with 1879 clasp)
If none of these are your man I assume he joined the regiment later or transferred from another regiment. If he was a Sgt by 1884 that would still be possible as rapid promotion seems to have been down to ability and keeping your nose clean in those days! Sorry I’m no expert on tracking down military service records.
Regards Phil

Hi Herbie.
Thanks for the very prompt response. I don't think IH actually took part in the A-Z War because the Northamptonshire Regiment was only formed in 1881:
"https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/units/277/northamptonshire-regiment
The Regiment was officially formed in 1881 as part of the Childers reforms when the 48th and 58th Regiments of Foot were amalgamated."
Isaac Holt married my great grandmother in 1882 when he was stationed at Fort Napier, Pietermaritzburg, Natal. In the marriage register, he was listed as "Sgt. 2nd Northamptonshire Regt".
No further records of him were ever found, hence my inquiry.
Thank you for your efforts.
Regards.
Brian.

Posts : 3326 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Brian

Hopefully this is your man, he is listed incorrectly as Holt J on the medal roll.

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agree

Andy

Hello Andy,

It's jackpot time, thank you so, so much. This is my man! Greatly appreciated.
Could you please find similar records for my great grandfather:
Edwin Norris, born 1853, enlisted 1871, service no. possibly 1816, !st Battalion, 13th of Foot, served in South Africa 1875 - 1879. He is my last English relative in the military so no more requests after him!
Incidentally, he married my great grandmother in 1877. They divorced in 1881. She then married Isaaac Holt. Edwin remarried in Natal in 1882 and then emigrated to Australia. Quite a tale! Kindest regards....you have made my day.
Brian.

Posts : 3326 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Brian

I am unable to find anything on Edwin Norris.
Sad

Andy

Hi Andy,
Thanks for trying. Possibly his records have not been indexed yet. Fortunately, from regimental histories, I have learned a lot about the activities of his regiment. Also, from other sources online I have learned much about him after his discharge. I will keep on monitoring in the hope that his records will one day be indexed and available online.
Once again, thanks so much.
Brian.

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