2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula

Subject: 2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula Thu Aug 27, 2020 1:59 pm

I have long had a long service medal group to 675 Pte. Patrick McGowan of the 2/4th Regiment of Foot. I know that they were in action at Ulundi but have also seen reference to several companies who were at Hlobane on 28 March and Kambula a day later.

Is there a muster roll or list available anywhere which would answer the question as to whether or not my man was at either of the aforementioned battles?

Regards

Rory

Subject: 2/ 4th at Hlobane / Kambula Thu Aug 27, 2020 3:49 pm

Hi Rory
Sorry to inform you but the 2/4th weren't at any of the battles , some personal who were possibly part of the Imp Mtd Inf perhaps ? . They , the 2/4th , were responsible for Garrison , and escort duties on the lines of Communication and March etc etc . A couple of Co's were involved in the blowing up of the caves near Intombe in Sept , these were the Caves used by Manyanyoba and his followers , 2 members of the 2/ 4th were killed in this operation , these two men Sgt Maj Smith & Cpl Pomfrett were the last casualties of the Zulu War .
90th Salute

Subject: Re: 2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula Thu Aug 27, 2020 4:07 pm

Thanks 90th - I suppose I was hopeful that my chap was MI.

Regards

Rory

Subject: Re: 2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula Thu Aug 27, 2020 6:50 pm

Rory,

Just to add something to the above, to replace the losses that 1st Squadron, Mounted Infantry had sustained at iSandlwana the 2nd Battalion, 4th (The King's Own Royal) Regiment supplied an officer, Lieutenant Richard Hawes MacCarthy and a number of other-ranks.

MacCarthy was invalided after Khambula. Two members of 2nd/4th attached to the squadron were wounded in action at Khambula: Private 11th Brigade/31 J. Anderson - slightly wounded and Private 11th Brigade/631 R. Beswick (also recorded as Bestwick) - severely wounded.

A look at the Pay & Muster Roll should reveal those on Detached Duties.

JY

Subject: Re: 2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula Thu Aug 27, 2020 6:54 pm

Thanks John - I appreciate the additional information you have provided. Do you know of anyone who has copied the pay or muster rolls of the 2/4th? I live in South Africa so, even were the TNA to be accessible, it would be a bridge too far for me.

Rory

Subject: Re: 2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula Thu Aug 27, 2020 7:06 pm

Rory,

Not personally I'm afraid, and the only material I have on the two wounded men is handwritten from over thirty years ago when it was still the PRO.

Sorry I can't assist further at this time.

JY

Subject: Re: 2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula Thu Aug 27, 2020 7:08 pm

Thank you John

Subject: 2/4th at Hlobane / Kambula Fri Aug 28, 2020 4:12 am

Good Stuff J.Y. You need to study mo

, excellent work that man ! Very Happy

90th

Posts : 2 Join date : 2021-01-25

John Young ,
Very interesting stuff you put on regarding Lt Richard Hawes Mccarthy - I just happen to have his medals for the South Africa and Ashantee campaigns - any further info would be greatly appreciated.

Subject: Re: 2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula Tue Jan 26, 2021 9:19 am

Bobbo

Please see https://www.1879zuluwar.com/t9820-lieutenant-richard-hawes-maccarthy-2nd-4th-regiment?highlight=Maccarthy#89446

JY

Subject: Re: 2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula Mon Aug 01, 2022 9:46 pm

John,

How sure are you that it was 11B/31 Pte James Anderson and not 11B/2581 Pte. Thomas Anderson? The casualty lists in WO 25/3474 do noes not give an initial and WO 25/3333 for the 2/4th has a James Anderson as a casualty but not dates or Regt number. Plus there is an effects number suggesting a death but he was only slightly wounded.

11B/31 James Anderson does however share the same disciplinary punishment of one person who I do know was Mounted Infantry, (same dates, punishment etc).

As far as the pay lists state (they do not show detached men) Pte Patrick McGowen was not a Mounted Infantryman.

Subject: Re: 2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula Mon Aug 01, 2022 10:35 pm

Bill,

Unfortunately I cannot access my study where my files & library are due to building work, but as I mentioned above last visited the then PRO decades ago.

So of the top of my head, I cannot give you a definite answer at this time. If Private 11B/31 James Anderson’s service record still exists, does it indicate any wound? If so it would prove it conclusively.

Sorry best I can say at present.

JY

Subject: Re: 2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula Wed Aug 10, 2022 6:08 pm

Bill,

I have located my original notes all I have is a pencilled note, with no other references, J. Anderson, Pte. 2nd/4th - slightly wounded.

Sorry nothing revealing there.

JY

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