Brothers Sears

Just one for the record.
Great Nephew (John Sears)of Pte Arthur Sears 2-24/2404, 
A Company Rorke's Drift defender,  has said that Arthur was the brother of Pte Henry Sears 279, 1st Battalion 24th Regiment killed at Isandlwana.

Cheers Eddie

Thanks Eddie,

I must admit I wasn't aware of this until Kate mentioned it in her post a few days ago.

If you happen to be in touch with Arthur's descendant, I'd be interested to know whether he's aware of any family memorials which commemorate either (or both) of the brothers.....

Regards,

Tim

I Tim.

I found him and other decendants on a Facebook page: (Fireforce ventures) where there is a thread discussing Evan Jones Rorke's Drift defender. I will ask.

Tim.

I asked the question for you and he says that he is not aware of any memorial to either of the brothers. I say either, because, John has now told me that there were three brothers, one at Rorke's Drift (Arthur Sears) and two that died at Isandlwana. Having looked at the list of deceased at Isandlwana I only see one Sears.
He has said he has confirmed this by ancestry searches and the results have apparently shown, one as being clubbed to death and the other speared.
I have asked John if he can dig out the Ancestry record again to find his name.
So we are probably looking for an alias.

Eddie,

Many thanks, interesting to hear that there may be another brother involved at Isandlwana.....

I think I may have tracked down the brothers' parents John and Ann Sears -

John was buried in Sunbury cemetery on 23 Feb 1901 aged 82 while Ann was interred on 28 Jan 1903 in the same cemetery (although in a different grave) - I'm waiting to hear back as to whether either grave has a headstone (which of course could also commemorate their sons) but the fact that John & Ann are in different plots possibly indicates that they are in communal/public graves and therefore unlikely to be marked.

Regards,

Tim

Here's hoping Tim.

I am hoping John will get back to me soon.

Hi Tim/All

It just so happens I have received a message from John's wife, and as she says, he has made a mistake, there was only one brother that died at Isandlwana. However there were three Sear brothers that were serving in the 24th.

Sandra sends the following information, which matches your findings Tim. She is requesting if anyone knows where Arthur's medals are. She also requests as much information as possible on the third brother who served in the 24th, Joseph Sears:

I have done a large family tree...& became very interested when I discovered all about my husband (John's) side of the family while going back...I was thrilled with the Rorke's Drift connection.

My husband's connection is through William Sears 1.9.1846, who is my husbands G- Grandfather.
I will start with my husband John's G-G-Grandparents, John Sears 1816 - 17.12.1901 Sunbury Middlesex & Anne Ives 1819 - 1903, who were married 5.12.1841, In Hounslow, Brentford, and they had 8 children:

Charles 1842

Henry 1844 - 1879 ( Died at the battle of Isandlwana 22nd Jan 1879).

William 1.9.1846 (John my husband, this is his G Grandad), he married Hannah Hyatt, had 4 children.

John 1848

Joe 1850

Arthur 1854 - 1906, married Emma Park 1866 - 1914, had 7 children. ( Defender at Rorke's Drift) originally joined as a Bandsman.

Joseph 1856, married Jane , had 6 children and he later lived on the staines road and was a panel beater. ( Served with the 24th regiment? Number not known), was a musician just like Arthur, and was in India with Arthur, we know this as he was witness to Arthur's wedding to Emma 14th August 1882.

Clara 1860

Following on... family tree, John's G Grandfather, William 1846..one of his children was another William 1879 - 1959, died age 80, who was my husbands grandad, he married Florence Keeble 1877 - 1958, (died aged 81) they had 7 children.
The last one was Percival 1911 - 1997 (who was my husbands dad & he called himself Tom.

Hello Eddie,

I've heard back from Sunbury Cemetery and unfortunately it appears that neither John's nor Ann's grave has a headstone.

Thanks for the additional family information, although I suspect there may be a typo in there - otherwise Ann made it to the ripe old age of 111!

Regarding Joseph Sears I've found the following info in Norman Holmes' 'The Noble 24th'

SEARS Joseph - Private - 2-24/2405 - 2nd 24th A Company
Service details: Awarded good conduct pay at 2d 9/1/1879.
Battalion Orders Rorke's Drift 27/2/1879 - A Company to occupy No.1 post in-lying picquet. Arrived Casemate Barracks Gibraltar 13/1/1880 aboard HMS Orontes. Awarded South Africa Medal 1877-8-9 "Clasp 1877-8-9".

Regards,

Tim

Tim thank you, that has been amended.

It is great that you have found him, does his military record go further through to India? As he was present at his brothers wedding in 1882.

Can we take it from those details he was out with Lord Chelmsfords column, and was later sent to the out-lying Piquet.

Hello Eddie,

Looking at the entry for Henry Sears (killed in action) in 'The Noble 24th' there certainly is a further mention of Joseph:

SEARS Henry - Private - 25B/279 - 1st/24th
Baptised into the Non-conformist Church 5/5/1844 Sunbury-on-Thames.
Parents were John Sears, occupation General Labourer and Ann nee Ives; they married 5/12/1841.
Brothers/sisters: Charles baptised 27/3/1842 Sunbury-on-Thames. William baptised 6/9/1846 Halliford. John (the first) baptised 10/9/1848 Halliford, died in infancy. Joseph (the first) baptised 22/9/1850 Halliford, died aged 2 years September quarter 1852. Arthur born 29/1/1854 Harmondsworth, Staines, Defender of Rorke's Drift. Joseph (the second) baptised 23/3/1856 Sunbury-on-Thames, served with the 24th & SWB in India with his brother Arthur and was a witness to his marriage. Clara Ann baptised 13/6/1858 Sunbury-on-Thames.
Service details: Enlisted Liverpool 13/6/1874 aged 18.
Effects claimed by his Father John Sears.
Honours/awards: South Africa Medal 1877-8-9 "Clasp 1879".
Death: K-in-A Isandlwana Mountain, Zululand 22/1/1879 aged 22

Regards,

Tim

Tim, thank you once again.

I should imagine his medals to be at the museum in Brecon, does anyone know?

I have to add this in relation to Arthur's medals:

Arthur sadly passed away aged 51 years, on 15th December, 1906 at 85 Stephendale road Fulham, he had  been suffering from Tubercular Phthisis. He is buried in Fulham Cemetery, grave 6A, section C18. Shortly after the family moved to 88a Townsend road Fulham.

Arthurs medals were taken to the local pawn shop in Kings road Fulham to raise money for the family, and Arthur's son. "Arthur John" went each week to pay in the money to secure the return of his father's medals.
But Emma's health was fading and at the outbreak of the great war Arthur John had to re-enlist. Emma did not live long enough to know if her son returned home safely, and she died in 1914, and is buried with her husband at Fulham Cemetery.
The fact that we were at war and a sum of money had already been paid to secure the return of Arthur's medals was not taken into account, and they were sold to recover the debt.... Never to be seen again by the family. (Son Arthur did safely return) oh how I would love to see those medals.

In the late sixties Arthur and Emma's daughter "May" realised that she was the only person left who knew the oral history of her family, so she wrote down as much as she could remember, so there would be a written record of their heritage. The Journal was entitled "Emma's Daughter ' and it's thanks to her that so much of the families history was saved from oblivion.
She tried to get the Journal published without success and sadly she lost her eyesight and believed that her Journals only value was to the family themselves..May died aged 77 in 1987.

It would be great if we on this Forum could add to that Diary for May.
Three brothers served in the colours, two survived, Arthur and Joseph. What else do we know?

Cheers Eddie

Eddie,

Just found some information on the internet that Arthur's Long Service Medal was sold at auction December 2002 (Spink) for £2,200.

Regards,

Tim

Thanks Tim.

Singular, just his long service medal.?

Can I please ask, does anyone have access to 2-24 /2405 Private Joseph's Sears full military records?

Tim.

In relation to your post above about baptisms, there is no mention of John (The second). We know the first died in infancy, 1848, but when you indicated a John (The first) I was expecting a second, was there one listed in the 24th ?
I have listed in an above post all siblings, another one named is Joe born 1850, is also unmensioned, is there anything about him?

Eddie

Eddie,

Regarding Arthur's medals, yes it was just his Long Service medal I found a mention of.

Not sure about the reference to 'John (the first)' - I'll try and dig out my copy of Kris Wheatley's 'Legacy - Heroes of Rorke's Drift' book which has a chapter on Arthur and see if that offers any further information.

Regards,

Tim

Thank you Tim

Please include Joe.

Regards Eddie

Eddie,

Just checked Kris Wheatley's chapter on Arthur Sears and there is no mention in there either of a second John:

Charles (1842)
Henry (1844)
William (1846)
John (1848)
Joseph (1850)
Arthur (1854)
Joseph (1856)
Clara Ann (1858)

Regards,

Tim

Thank you Tim

Strange that. And not including Joe 1850, as mentioned by his descendants.

Cheers for taking the time Tim.

Eddie wrote:

Hi Tim/All

It just so happens I have received a message from John's wife, and as she says, he has made a mistake, there was only one brother that died at Isandlwana. However there were three Sear brothers that were serving in the 24th.

Sandra sends the following information, which matches your findings Tim. She is requesting if anyone knows where Arthur's medals are. She also requests as much information as possible on the third brother who served in the 24th, Joseph Sears:

I have done a large family tree...& became very interested when I discovered all about my husband (John's) side of the family while going back...I was thrilled with the Rorke's Drift connection.

My husband's connection is through William Sears 1.9.1846, who is my husbands G- Grandfather.
I will start with my husband John's G-G-Grandparents, John Sears 1816 - 17.12.1901 Sunbury Middlesex & Anne Ives 1819 - 1903, who were married 5.12.1841, In Hounslow, Brentford, and they had 8 children:

Charles 1842

Henry 1844 - 1879 ( Died at the battle of Isandlwana 22nd Jan 1879).

William 1.9.1846 (John my husband, this is his G Grandad), he married Hannah Hyatt, had 4 children.

John 1848

Joe 1850

Arthur 1854 - 1906, married Emma Park 1866 - 1914, had 7 children. ( Defender at Rorke's Drift) originally joined as a Bandsman.

Joseph 1856, married Jane , had 6 children and he later lived on the staines road and was a panel beater. ( Served with the 24th regiment? Number not known), was a musician just like Arthur, and was in India with Arthur, we know this as he was witness to Arthur's wedding to Emma 14th August 1882.

Clara 1860

Following on... family tree, John's G Grandfather, William 1846..one of his children was another William 1879 - 1959, died age 80, who was my husbands grandad, he married Florence Keeble 1877 - 1958, (died aged 81) they had 7 children.
The last one was Percival 1911 - 1997 (who was my husbands dad & he called himself Tom.

Eddie/Tim

I only became aware of this thread when I saw a thread by Gardner1879 in the topic 'The one's the history books forgot - Private 25B/279 Henry Sears, Bugler, E Company 24th Reg. KIA Isandlwana'.

I have the same newspaper clippings that she has (although from different newspapers) which I have added below

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Liverpool Albion 15/3/1879

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Liverpool Weekly Courier 6/9/1879

There are some details that just do not add up. Henry born 1844 could not be the individual killed at Isandlwana, the newspaper reports his age as 22, born circa 1857. The second detail is the father of the deceased soldier is named Henry not John.

There may however be an answer. From the noble 24th:

SEARS, H. 1563 Private
Served in F Company. Confined for 14 days at Rorke's Drift for neglect of duty when on sentry 29/1/1879. Transferred from F to A Company 31/1/1879 (Orders Book - Rorke's Drift, Regimental Archive). Died of disease in service, date not stated. South Africa Medal with clasp 1877-8-9; issued 15/7/1881

The Gibraltar archives have the following details:

Henry Sears, Private 24th Regiment, age 36, died 14/02/1880, onboard S.S. Ontario in Gibraltar Harbour, cause paralysis (locomotor ataxy).
This record is supported by an entry in the deaths at sea register, which I could upload if required.

I found no records for a burial.

The age would give a birth year of circa 1844 so maybe a better fit.

Regards
Dash

Dash
And of course Henry was not a 'bugler'.

Julian,

Concur as at the time only Light Infantry & Rifles Regiments used the rank of Bugler.

JY

He was not even a Drummer either!

Julian Whybra wrote:

Dash
And of course Henry was not a 'bugler'.

Julian,

Yes detail, its in the details, in mitigation my mistake was not to reference the other thread more a failure to correct the error in its title. Guilty as charged.

Regards
Dash

Hi All

But Arthur originally joined as a Bandsman, so may have been referred to as a Bugler, as mentioned in the newspaper article above. His brother Joseph was also a musician.

“Eddie”,

There were no Buglers in the 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment. The rank was used only used in Light Infantry & Rifle Regiments.

JY

Thank you John

I know that there were none, I was implying that as the newspaper article states as such perhaps the family remember him as a bugler in his Bandsman days.

“Eddie”,

Then he would be a Drummer in the Corps of Drummers, which he was not.

JY

Eddie wrote:

Hi All

But Arthur originally joined as a Bandsman, so may have been referred to as a Bugler, as mentioned in the newspaper article above. His brother Joseph was also a musician.

Evening Eddie,

I have had a quick look at the service record for Arthur, he was appointed Bandsman 04/02/1878. He was promoted Corporal 06/03/1883 and further promoted Sergeant Drummer 01/04/1884?

Please correct me if I am wrong, the term 'Bugler' is something the family used and that has been passed down presumably by word of mouth. The use of 'Bugler' in the newspaper - death notice - is what that family used at that time in 1879. The reality is few if anybody would have challenged the description at the time and future generations would have grown up on the story.

I am sure somebody will correct me if I am in error, (not watched it in a long while) but the film 'Zulu' has a scene where 'Chard' tells the 'bugler' to 'spit boy, spit', my point is that in general there is a greater remembrance of images we have seen rather than text we have read.

One question I would have, Arthur was clearly literate, he signs his name on his attestation. Did Arthur or Joseph write home to relate the story of how Henry died?

Regards
Dash

At least now the family knows what his rank actually was, and what it involved.

Hi All

Thank you Dash for the information. As a Drummer he would have most probably have been a Bugler also, as they continue to be today. They either sound the call by drum or Bugle.

Julian indeed.

Dash

Henry Sears 279 is the man we refer to who was a casualty at Isandlwana and on the casualty list. There are other Sears that served. Also John Sears is the great nephew I refer to in my original post.

Eddie,

I would refer you to the comments I made 19 September 2024 regarding Henry Sears No. 279 and why I do not believe he was the brother of Arthur.

Regards
Dash

He most certainly sounded the bugle - at least the film Zulu got that right.

Dash
Chris Wheatley has got Henry as born 1844 and lifted as a brother, perhaps there has been a misprint. In the Noble 24th it states they are brothers. father Henry in the article may go by his middle name, as in John Henry sears?

Eddie,

There is a danger of us going round in circles on this one so I will articulate why I do not think 25B/279 Henry Sears is the brother of Arthur and Joseph. The reference material used is as follows; Arthur Sears service record, Noble 24th and the Gibraltar archives. The information provided by the family – family tree – helps with identification purposes, or so I believe. I will start with Arthur as more information is available than the other three Sears put together.

The Noble 24th (page 359):

SEARS, Arthur. 2-24/2404 Private
Born at Sunbury, Kingston, Middlesex; trade – labourer. Enlisted for 24th Foot at Little Warley, Essex 14/2/1873. Description: age 19 years, height 5’9”, fresh complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair. Religion: Church of England. Attested at Little Warley 15/2/1873. Posted to 2nd Battalion.
Private 15/2/1873. Detached to the School of Military Music, Kneller Hall 1874-75 (1). Granted Good Conduct Pay at 1 penny per diem 15/2/1875. Appointed Bandsman 4/2/1878. Granted Good Conduct pay 2 pence per diem 15/2/1879. Permitted to extend his engagement to complete 12 years with the Colours 2/2/1880. Service continued as Private (SWB 1404), South Wales Borderers 1/7/1881. Obtained a 3rd Class Certificate of Education. Promoted Corporal 6/3/1883; Sergeant 1/4/1884 (2). Re-engaged at Madras for such time as shall complete 21 years’ service 30/1/1885. Appointed Sergeant Drummer 1/6/1888 (3). Discharged 14/2/1894.

Next-of-kin. I. Sears (4), father, Sunbury, Middlesex. Later changed to wife, with the regiment.
Married 14/8/1882, Emma Park at Secunderabad, India, wife placed on the married establishment, 14/8/1882, and had issue, three children; Mildred Clare (5), born 14/9/1883; Arthur John, born 12/9/1885; Alice Emma, born 4/1/1889.

Served at Home 15/2/1873-31/1/1878; South Africa 1/2/1878-12/1/1880; Mediterranean 13/1/1880-11/8/1880; India 12/8/1880-8/5/1886; Burma 9/5/1886-9/11/1889; India 10/11/1889-17/11/1893; a Private in A Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift.

References: ‘Chard’ roll incorrectly named as Pears; Bourne roll amended; Dunbar list.

South Africa Medal with clasp 1877-8-9; India General Service Medal 1854 with clasp Burma 1887-1889; Long Service and Good Conduct Medal without gratuity 4/10/1892.

(1) Kneller Hall was at Twickenham, Middlesex.
(2) Should read Sergeant Drummer – see image 1.


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(3) Incorrect – already Sergeant Drummer – this is a continuation page – see image 2.

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(4) Incorrect – initial is J – see image 3.

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(5) Name on service record is Mildred Clara

I will now review the information on Joseph:

The Noble 24th (page 173):

SEARS, J. 2405 Private (6&7)

Served in A Company. Granted Good Conduct Pay at 2 pence per diem 9/1/1879. South Africa Medal with clasp 1877-8-9

(6) No service record appears to survive for this individual. Additional information from Tim Needham was included in post on 04/10/2022
(7) Named Joseph on the family tree

Now comes the tricky part, I say that as I am at odds with what the family believe in regards to Henry Sears. There were two Henry Sears in the 24th Regiment, one per battalion. Both these individuals died in service and therefore no service record would appear to have survived. As I have done previously I will lay out the reference details I have and then compare them to the brothers above.

The Noble 24th (page 173)

SEARS, H. 1563 Private:

Served in F Company. Confined for 14 days at Rorke’s Drift for neglect of duty when on sentry 29/1/1879. Transferred from F to A Company (8) 31/1/1879 (Orders Book – Rorke’s Drift, Regimental Archive). Died of disease in service, date not stated (9). South Africa Medal with clasp 1877-8-9; issued 15/7/1881.

(8) A Company - the same as Arthur and Joseph served/serving in
(9) Private Henry Sears, aged 36 (born circa 1844), 24th Regiment died 14/2/1880 on-board S.S. Ontario, Gibraltar Harbour – see image 4

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The Noble 24th (page  240):

SEARS, Henry. 25B/279 Private:

Enlisted at Liverpool, Lancashire 13/6/1874; age 18 years 2 months (10). Effects claimed by his father, South Africa Medal with clasp 1879.

(10) Would have been 22 at time of death, so a birth year of 1856

So I will review the information previously supplied on the thread:

Kris Wheatley in her Legacy series - I do not own a copy - gives a birth year for Henry as 1844, there does not appear to be a misprint as the family tree has the same date. Were the family using the Legacy series as the starting point for their research? If 25B/279 Henry Sears was a brother of Arthur and Joseph I would have expected a geographical connection to the South East of England not the North West. Then there is the issue of age, it is not small by any measure, 12 years is difficult to ignore.

Eddie you say the Noble 24th ‘states’ they are brothers, can you give me a page number I have not found that reference. The entry by Tim (04/10/2022) appears to be information from numerous sources rolled into one, I am no expert but can you really be baptised in 1844 and die in 1879 aged 22??

25B/279 Henry Sears personal effects were collected by his father, the Noble 24th does not give a name (11), the details may be contained in the deceased soldiers effects books held at TNA. If 279 was the brother of Arthur and Joseph I would have thought an obituary may have been included in a local (Sunbury area) newspaper, to date I have not found one but of course there is the one in a number of Liverpool/North West newspapers.

(11) See newspaper reports for name of father, given as Henry.

There is a possible BMD for Henry and his parents – A Henry Sears married a Winifred Judge Q4 1854, Liverpool, Lancashire, a son named Henry Andre Sears was born Q2 1857. They are recorded on the 1861 census living at 7 West Derby Street, West Derby, Lancashire and the 1871 census living at Virgil Street, Liverpool, Lancashire. When the 1881 census was taken Henry no longer appears with the family. Is this the family of 25B/279 Henry Sears? The family maintain a connection to the Liverpool at least until the 1901 census although Henry Sears Snr has died by this time.

Before I get to my conclusion I have a question for anybody reading this, are there multiple editions of the Noble 24th? Some quotes which are attributed to the book are certainly not in my copy! The Noble 24th is a fantastic book, it provides a rich source of information but it is not without error, something I have to remind myself of when referencing it.

My objective with this piece was to show how I arrived at my own conclusion, I have no desire or motive to change anybody else’s opinion. I expect other members of the forum will have their own ideas on this. I have laid out all the information I have used for the purpose of identification and am still of the opinion that 1563 Henry Sears is the likely brother, who did not die at Isandlwana but over a year later in Gibraltar harbour. I would happily review any further information/evidence you have Eddie, but at this time I have nothing more to offer.

Regards
Dash