A sad little story.
"WANTED ZULU DEATH. Mystery of Veteran Soldier’s Fate in a Wood. The discovery by boys gathering chestnuts of a man's body practically to skeleton in Shugborough Wood, near Stafford, on Sunday, was the subject coroner's inquest last night. The man was identified as Thomas Devany, an Irishman, belonging Sligo, who fought in the Zulu War, afterwards working as a guard on the Natal railways during the Boer War. He had been missing since June, and had expressed a wish to die like the Zulu boys. Money and a watch was found in the clothing and a small empty phial near the body. The Coroner registered an open verdict."
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail - Tuesday 11 October 1921
A quick search through Duttons found on p 314 90th Regiment 1339 Devanney T 1877-78-79 clasp. I am assuming this is him?
More research needed but need a brew after reading this one.