Joshua Harrod - Which Battles

Hello Zulu War Forum, many thanks for accepting me into your ranks.
I am interested in the battles/actions participated in by Joshua Harrod, 13414 Royal Engineers.

The South Africa Medal roll shows him as "2nd Company Royal Engineers".

I have attached (courtesy of Ancestry) a snippet of his record, but being unfamiliar with the Zulu Wars, I am unable to properly decipher.
I would be most grateful if some knowledgeable member could enlighten as to what it records.

Many Thanks, Dockyard Matey. (hope I have attached correctly)

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Dockyard Matey,

Welcome to the forun.  

#13414 Bugler Joshua Harrod served in 2nd Company Royal Engineers attached to Colonel Pearson's Number 1 Column during the Zulu War.  As indicated in your attachment he was present at the Battle of Inyezane on the 22nd of January and was one of those besieged at Fort Eshowe.  His record also shows he was involved in the 1st Boer War in 1881.  He rose to the rank of Company Sergeant Major before his retirement on 31 July 1900.

Tom

Hello Tom, thanks for the welcome & also the information.
Could you possibly tell me what the last place referred is........................??????? Kraals.

Thanks, Dockyard Matey

Hi Dockyard Matey

It says Redhouse Kraals.

For more information, please see link below

https://www.boerenbrit.com/archives/100

Andy

Perfect, Thank-you.

Hi Dockyard Matey

You are welcome.

Joshua Harrod had an interesting life.

Born in Jan 1862 in Canterbury, Kent. His father was a Sergeant in the 3rd (East Kent, The Buffs) Regiment of foot.

At the age of just 9 years and 6 months, was entered into Royal Military Asylum (Chelsea).

On the 19th January 1876 at the young age of only 14, joined the Regular Army, The Royal Engineers in London.

According to his service record, he turned 17 on the 20th January 1879.

After only 2 days into his 17th birthday, Joshua found himself at the Battle of Inyezane. God only knows what he was thinking and going through his mind.

If that was not bad enough Joshua then found himself in the Siege of Eshowe 23 Jan 1879 – 3 Apr 1879. This must have been a trying time for any soldier let alone a 17 year old.

After the Zulu War, Joshua stayed in South Africa and took part in the Battle of Rooihuiskraal, on 12 February 1881 in the First Boer War.

After leaving South Africa on 31st January 1882, Joshua climbed the ranks until he became a Sergeant in 1891.

In 1888 Joshua married  Armour Selina Walker in Cardiff, Wales, while on Home Service.

In 1897 Joshua was permitted to continue service after 21 years within the ranks.

Joshua was discharged from the army on 31st July 1900 after 24 years and 193 days service with the rank of Company Sergeant Major.

In 1905 his wife dies and within the same year Joshua marries Louisa Elizabeth Ann Clark.

In 1913 Joshua becomes the Landlord of the Fountain Hotel, 24 Week Street, Maidstone, Kent.

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Fountain Inn, 24 Week Street, Maidstone, Kent.

On the 16th November 1914, Joshua rejoins the Royal Engineers as a Sapper at the age of 52. But the very next day, his service record shows he was promoted to Acting Company Sergeant Major Instructor.

On the 1st July 1915, Joshua was promoted to Acting Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor.

Next Promotion came on the 26th October 1916 as Substantive Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer. (Please do not kick me if the ranks are incorrect, just as I am reading them on the service record).

Again another promotion was on the 24th January 1917, Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer 2nd Class.

Joshua was discharged on 11th February 1919 from the army for the second time.

Joshua Harrod died in 1922.

Now that is one Landlord I would like to have brought a pint from and had a talk with.

Andy

"The "Fountain" stood next door to "YeAncient Bell," and in 2014 was operating as Thompson holiday firm.

Darren Brockway writes the following:- The building suffered extensivedamage during a major fire on 9 June 2015 in an adjacent building which tookhold of this old pub quite severely, largely due to the wooden structure, tothe extent that major structural repairs and rebuilding were required. Thetiled facade was braced and saved, the windows then replaced to the originalspecifications making this one of Maidstone's remaining treasured buildings.

The "Fountain Inn" stood right next door to "YeAncient Bell," an inn, which closed in the 1920s. It is now (2019) usedas retail for an outdoor chain and stationers however the building above hasbeen restored (following the fire) to an original design. The fire dideventually have a positive effect on this building which removed an ugly1970s structure that had removed the upper exterior walls.



LICENSEE LIST

SEAMER Sophia 1840+

WHEATLEY John Wheatley 1851+ (age 44 in 1851Census)

BOYCE Robert 1855-67+ (age 54 in 1861Census) Post Office Directory 1867

Unoccupied in 1871 Census

BENZIE George 1874-82+ (age 58 in 1881Census)

BENZIE Sarah 1891+ (widow age 57 in 1891Census)

FEATHERSTONE James Jarrett to Jan/1902 dec'd

APPLETON George 1901-11+ (age 48 in 1911Census)

HARROD Joshua 1913+

APPLETON George 1918+

HARROD Joshua 1922+

CRICHTON Ernest George 1930-38+"

Today:
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I dont know about Dockyard Matie but you two just blew me away. Well done indeed Andy and Pete.

Your absolutely right, blown away.
What started my little quest was this fellows medals. He has the South Africa medal with 1879 clasp & also a LSGC medal. But along with these two is also a second LSGC medal, same name but 7th Hussars. Any ideas??

Agree with Frank... excellent work Andy & Pete .
90th

I third Franks motion. Excellent work Andy and Pete, what a cracking little story.
I bet he wasn't shy of getting a round in and probably served everything in his pub apart from laager
KB

Joshua Harrod was my Great Grandfather. It was most interesting reading about his life. When I work out how to do it I will post a copy of his obituary. It seems that he was held in high regard and received a military funeral at Maidstone.

Hi parquin

Firstly welcome to the forum, great to have you onboard.

If you have any problems with trying to post Joshua's obituary, please PM (Private Message) me and I will help you.

Andy