Rourke's Drift defender?

Posts : 3 Join date : 2013-11-17

Merthyr Express 18 Sept 1920: Thomas Thomas
In a funeral report for Thomas Thomas, it stated he had served for many years with the South Wales Borderers, having served Zulu Kaffir Wars in the years 1877, 1878, and 1879, for which he received a medal. During the last Great War, he again joined the Colours with the 5th Welsh and was afterwards transferred to the Defence Corps.

The CWGC remark he 'Served in the Kaffir and Zulu campaigns, 1897-8. (Was at Rourke's Drift).

Can you please help. I would welcome any information about Thomas Thomas

Kind Regards
Roy

Posts : 419 Join date : 2013-05-07 Location : Brecon

Roy,

There were two soldiers named Pte Thomas Thomas who served with 2/24th during the Anglo Zulu War - 25B/1104 and 25B/1415. At the time when defence of Rorke’s Drift took place (i.e. on 22/23 January 1879) these two were out with Lord Chelmsford searching for the Zulu Army. Subsequently, they were based at Rorke’s Drift for about six weeks - neither were ‘defenders’. Later, many soldiers came home saying they were at RD - it was good for a free pint in the pub.