Captain of Hussars

Subject: Captain of Hussars Thu Dec 01, 2022 11:20 am

Was The Hon Phillip Ogilvie Norton MLC, JP a Captain in the Hussars during the Zulu war?

A Colonist.

Subject: Re: Captain of Hussars Thu Dec 01, 2022 11:40 am

Hi

The Dictionary of Irish Biography states there was a Land owner by the name of James O'Gorman 1745 - 1855, that may be his father, but doesn't say where. The original James was a landowner and farmer also.

Also a Major Purcell O'Gorman 1820 - 1888, in the 90th of foot and MP for the City of Waterford 1874 - 80. This may be a relation.

Posts : 1074 Join date : 2009-10-16

Hi All,
There is a Captain P Norton Natal Hussars 1879 clasp. Sounds like your man.
Rai Keynshamlighthorse

Posts : 1074 Join date : 2009-10-16

Hi All,
A bit more to add, Hon Phillip Ogilvie Norton born 9 Aug 1842 Grahamstown S Africa, Died 12 sept 1898 Greytown Natal, married Elsie Elizabeth Otto 1863 in Pietermaritzburg, he was a Justice of the Peace.
One of his sons was also Philip Ogilvie Norton and probably served first as a trooper then Lieutenant in the Imperial Light Horse during the 2nd Boer War.
Rai Keynshamlighthorse.

Subject: Re: Captain of Hussars Thu Dec 01, 2022 11:45 pm

Hi Rai

What was you source for the above please.

Subject: Re: Captain of Hussars Fri Dec 02, 2022 12:02 am

Admin

My post above in relation to O'Gorman was entered onto this thread by mistake, and has been re-entered correctly. please can you remove.

Thank you Eddie

Subject: Re: Captain of Hussars Fri Dec 02, 2022 12:49 am

Hi I have done a little more research:

I have found that The Hon Phillip Ogilvie Norton (The father) commanded the Natal Hussars from 6 December 1877 to 27 March 1880. ( 1879 with clasp).
I also found out that Phillip Ogilvie Norton jnr, his son, received the DCM for services in the Boer war with the Imperial Light Horse.

Eddie

Subject: Re: Captain of Hussars Fri Dec 02, 2022 3:19 am

Hi all

Google: Emperor Norton to find the following:

Phillip Ogilvie Norton (Senior's) uncle was Joshua Abraham Norton, who was known as Emperor Norton, was a resident of San Francisco, California who, in 1859, proclaimed himself
"Norton I, Emperor of the United States". In 1863, after Napoleon III invaded Mexico, he took the second title of
"Protector of Mexico".
Born: Deptford, Kent, England 4 February 1818.
Died: San Francisco, California, USA, 8 January 1880.
Buried: Woodlawn memorial park, Colma, California, USA.
Nationality: American, English, South African.

CAPTAIN P NORTON, Natal Hussars obviously took part in the Anglo Zulu war, can anyone tell me where he would have fought or served throughout the war.

Thank you Eddie

Subject: Re: Captain of Hussars Fri Dec 02, 2022 6:23 am

Eddie,

The Natal Hussars were part of Pearson’s No. 1 Column during the initial invasion.

Norton commanded the unit - one other officer & thirty-seven other-ranks - in the field at the Battle of Nyezane, 22nd January 1879.

The Natal Hussars, along with most of the mounted troops, were ordered back to Natal as the fortified mission at Eshowe could not accommodate them.

Following iSandlwana the Natal Government ordered that units of Natal Volunteer Force were only to operate in defence of the colony. That said four men of the Natal Hussars served in a composite unit of volunteers supporting Major-General H. H. Crealock’s 1st Division during the 2nd invasion.

The Natal Hussars were stood down from active duty in July 1879.

JY

Subject: Re: Captain of Hussars Fri Dec 02, 2022 8:29 am

Thank you John

That was a great help. I have a descendant enquiring what he did during the war. If you were to come across any further details please let me know, Thank you.

Subject: Re: Captain of Hussars Fri Dec 02, 2022 8:58 am

Hi John

Do we know if Phillip served anywhere before 1879?

Eddie

Subject: Re: Captain of Hussars Fri Dec 02, 2022 11:22 am

Eddie,

He was commissioned as a Captain in the Natal Hussars on 29th October 1877. The Natal Hussars were part of the Natal Volunteer Force, a territorial force. Originally raised in July 1865 the Natal Hussars were mobilised on 25th November 1878. Prior to the unit’s activation Norton had attended the annual training camp in April 1878, which was more than likely his only service before mobilisation.

As well as being a prominent farmer, Norton had other civilian commitments, he was the President of the Umvoti Agricultural Society and a Natal Government appointed Sheep Inspector.

JY

Subject: Re: Captain of Hussars Fri Dec 02, 2022 2:37 pm

Hi John, great stuff, thank you very much.

Subject: Capt Of Hussars Mon Dec 05, 2022 1:56 pm

Norton's AZW Medal has either recently gone to auction or is about to ?
90th

» Captain Douglas Haig 7th Hussars
» Quartermaster W P Hellet Natal Hussars
» A.J.G Byng 7th Hussars.