He was born on the Berea, Durban, on the 29th July, 1853, and entered the High School in August, 1864, remaining until June, 1868. He passed through most of the classes
of the school, and each year carried off prizes, the last being December, 1867, when he was head boy of the Second Class. The reports of his attendance showed that he
valued his privileges, as the records remaining show that he was never late nor absent for the period to which they refer. Genial, kind, and benevolent, he was beloved by all his companions. On leaving school he went into the Transvaal trading with his father, and was also occupied part of his time as a bookkeeper. When the Zulu War commenced he joined Major-General Wood's First Native Contingent, under Major Leet, which followed the General to Kambula. He was Interpreter and Guide to Colonel Rowland's Column, on the Amaswazi border, and was selected on several occasions as special messenger to the Swazi King. He had before been repeatedly employed by the Transvaal Government as confidential messenger to Cetywayo. On the 28th March, 1879, he left Kambula Camp with Major-General Wood, and was amongst the ill-fated on the Hlobane Hill who could not make good their escape. He was on several occasions mentioned in despatches, and was referred to by name by Sir E. Wood in his public speeches on his return to England. Wherever he moved he sustained the character of an upright
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