A really sad story and no way to treat a old soldier but no he did not take part in the Zulu war looking at his clasp.
At least now, in a way, he is back alongside his mates on the ramparts.
"COFFIN IN A CART. ZULU WAR VETERAN'S BURIAL. A Tiptree message states:—Considerable public indignation has been aroused in the Tiptree district of Essex: over the circumstances of the burial of William Chignall, a Zulu War veteran, who died last week at Inworth and received a paupers funeral. The widow was not told by the authorities till the actual day of the burial when or where the funeral would take place. The coffin was taken to the churchyard in a cart, the widow being the sole mourner. though representatives of the British Legion desired to be present."
Belfast Telegraph - Monday 22 October 1923
Duttons p314 90th Regiment 1660 Chignall W 1877-78 clasp.
If anyone can prove he did take part in the AZW that would be nice.
"Hero's End. - The body of William Chignall, an aged and destitute hero of the 99th Foot, who served with Conspicuous gallantry in the Zulu War, was taken to the grave at Tiptree, Essex, under disgraceful circumstances. Representatives of the British Legion there were anxious to salute the dead fighter, but after the bereaved widow had been waiting for instructions from the Poor Law Union for five days, the corpse was hurried to the grave In a cart, with nobody to do the veteran reverence., What has Tiptree to say about this treatment by its Poor Law Officials of one of our builders of the Empire?"
John Bull - Saturday 03 November 1923
Not the 99th