Return from Zululand Private LETHBRIDGE and Corporal BERRY

Return from Zululand Private LETHBRIDGE, of the 13th Light Infantry, and Corporal BERRY, of the 1st Battalion 24th Regiment. LETHBRIDGE

"Wednesday 22 October 1879, Issue 5984 -
Crediton - Return from Zululand
A public luncheon took place on Monday in honour of two natives of the town who have seen actual service in the Zulu War - viz., Private LETHBRIDGE, of the 13th Light Infantry, and Corporal BERRY, of the 1st Battalion 24th Regiment. LETHBRIDGE was present at Kambula, and fought in the square at Ulundi, but came out of both engagements without injury. A committee of working men raised a sum sufficient to purchase two handsome watches for presentation. BERRY is still in Natal, having bought his discharge at the close of the campaign, and Colonel Buller has consented to transmit his townsmen's gift. LETHBRIDGE arrived from Plymouth on Monday afternoon, having with difficulty obtained a short leave of absence in order to be present. He was met at the railway station by the members of the Testimonial Committee and other townsfolk, who greeted him with loud cheers, and he was then escorted to the Royal Public Rooms, the band of the volunteer Engineers and the subscription band accompanying the procession. At the Public rooms, Private LETHBRIDGEW was entertained. Sir John Shelley and Colonel Buller, C.B., V.C., took part in the demonstration and after the luncheon, at which over 200 persons were present, the gallant Colonel undertook the task of presenting the testimonial. Colonel Buller, in a brief speech, welcomed Private LETHBRIDGE to his native town, and again took the opportunity of acknowledging the services of the rank and file during the late campaign. In the course of his remarks he referred to the sneering paragraphs which had appeared in the public Press, and said he regarded these presentations as a healthy sign of the working of the short-service system, which was bringing the people more in contact with the army than used to be the case."

Source:Articles for the Town Trewman's Exeter

Hi Admin

There is no Private Lethbridge listed on the Medal Roll for the 13th.

There is a Corporal H Berry 1st 24th listed on the Medal Roll.

Discharged prior to 16th November 1880. Clasp for 1877-8 disallowed; amended under order 68/24/32. South Africa Medal with Clasp 1877-8-9; granted under order 68/24/32. His regimental service number was 837.

There is a Captain Edward Lethbridge, 90th (Perthshire Volunteers) Light Infantry. He served with the Regiment throughout the war, being present at the engagement on the Zunguin Nek and the Battle of Kambula. He only served with the Regiment till April.

Captain Edward Lethbridge

Date of Birth:- 25th November 1846
First Appointment - Ensign - 90th Foot - 27th February 1867
Lieutenant - 90th Foot - 27th October 1871
Captain - 90th Foot - 31st August 1877
Captain - South Wales Borderers (1st Battalion) - 24th January 1880
South African War - 1877-8-9 - Kaffir Campaign - Operations against the Galekas, including actions of the Water Kloof and Peri Bush. - Zulu Campaign. Affair of Zungen Nek, and Kambula. Medal with Clasp.

Captain Edward Lethbridge was born on 25th November 1846. He was the son of Reverend Thomas Prowse Lethbridge and Isabella Escott.2 He married Constance Brooke, daughter of Francis Capper Brooke and Louisa Duff, on 4th April 1877 at London, England He died in 1894.
He gained the rank of Captain in the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, and 90th Regiment. He fought in the Kaffir and Zulu Wars between 1878 and 1879


Children of Captain Edward Lethbridge and Constance Brooke
1.Miriam Lethbridge2 d. 25 Jan 1961
2.Hester Lethbridge2 d. 30 Dec 1947
3.Joan Lethbridge2
4.Sibyl Lethbridge2 b. 10 Jan 1878, d. 1927

I would appreciate any information about Corporal Berry. Where was he born?

Hi Celticphred

This is all the information I have on Corporal H Berry 1st 24th.

Discharged prior to 16th November 1880. Clasp for 1877-8 disallowed; amended under order 68/24/32. South Africa Medal with Clasp 1877-8-9; granted under order 68/24/32. His regimental service number was 837.

Source: The Noble 24th by Norman Holme.

Andy

I’m really new, how difficult was it to advance to corporal? I believe my Henry only served a few years before he was discharged and emigrated to Canada.
Also, can I reference information by using the three digit regimental service number?

Thank you for your help.