2/4th Foot at Hlobane/Kambula

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-07-02

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

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-07-02

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

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-07-02

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

Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-07-02

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 : 1 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