1634 Pte William Dicks. Rorke's Drift Defender.

Any Information relating to 1634 Pte William Dicks would be gratefully appreciated.

I have been in contact with Pete Dicks who is looking for information on 1634 Pte William Dicks.

From Peter Dicks.

“I'm trying to link my family to William Dicks 1634 B Company 24th who is buried in an unmarked grave. William was born in Islington and was a corporal before being demoted to the ranks and serving at Rorkes Drift. My daughter - in - law is of the Ndebele tribe from Zimbabwe and the tribe were of Zulu descent. Her fathers name was Ndluvu and it's said that one of their forefathers was a Zulu at Rorkes drift. Any help in linking the family to William would be appreciated.”

Pete already has the photo of 1634 Pte William Dicks un-marked grave as posted on the Pictorial-catalogue-Of Graves-Memorials.

Information can be posted on forum. Idea

Posts : 3379 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi All

DICKS, William. 2-24/1634 Private
Born at Islington, London. Middlesex; trade -labourer. Enlisted for 11 years service with the 24th Foot at Westminster Police Court 25/11/1864. Description: age 17 years, height 5' 6", fresh complexion, brown eyes, brown hair. Attested 26/11/1864. Posted to 1st Bn 24th Foot.
Private 26/11/1864. Transferred to 2nd Battalion 1/2/1865. Granted Good Conduct Pay at 1 penny per diem 26/11/1868. Granted 2 pence per diem Good Conduct Pay 26/11/1871. Forfeited 1 penny per diem Good Conduct Pay 11/8/1873. Sentenced by Commanding Officer to imprisonment 8/4/1874 - 14/4/1874. Good Conduct Pay at 1 penny per diem restored 16/4/1875; increased to 2 pence per diem 15/4/1876. Appointed Lance Corporal 17/9/1877; promoted Corporal 14/11/1877; appointed Lance Sergeant 3/5/1878; reverted to Corporal 29/7/1878. Confined 16/9/1878 - 18/9/1878; tried and sentenced to be reduced to Private 16/9/1878. Boy's service allowed to count under Clause 37, Army Act 1879. Service continued South Wales Borderers 1/7/1881. Re-engaged at Secunderabad 6/8/1882 for a further term as shall complete a total service of 21 years. Discharged at Gosport 9/2/1886, having completed service amounting to 21 years 65 days. Conduct very good.
Next-of-kin, Mrs. A Framplar, sister, 42 Havelock Street; London. Served at Home 26/11/1864 - 29/6/1865; India 30/6/1865 - 2/1/1873; Home 3/1/1873 - 31/1/1878; South Africa 1/2/1878 - 12/1/1880; Mediterranean 13/1/1880 -11/8/1880; India 12/1/1880 - 22/1/1886; Home 23/1/1886 - 9/2/1886. Served in the Kaffir War 1878. Served in the Zulu War 1879 (WO97),

Posts : 600 Join date : 2010-01-07 Location : UK

Well done 1879graves, seriosly, I dont know how you do it! Idea

Thanks 1879Graves. Information has been passed on. Now that was quick.

Apparently official records frequently confuse him with Private James Dick (1697) and there is some confusion as to which one (if not both!) were present at Rorkes Drift. James Dick was awarded the South Africa Medal incorrectly named W Dicks.

James Dick was illiterate and probably not aware of the confusion.

JohnB

Posts : 600 Join date : 2010-01-07 Location : UK

JohnB
According to the roll, both were present at Rorkes Drift

thanks joe

Posts : 3379 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi All

DICK, James. 2-24/1697 Private
Born at Island Magee, County Antrim, Ireland; trade - labourer. Enlisted for 10 years service in the 24th Foot at Belfast, Ireland 3/2/1865. Description: age 18 years, height 5' 7", fresh complexion, grey eyes, curly brown hair. Attested at Belfast, Ireland 6/2/1865. Posted to 2nd Bn 24th Foot.
Private 6/2/1865. Granted Good Conduct Pay at 1 penny per diem 6/2/1868, increased to 2 pence per diem 6/2/1871. Re-engaged at Secunderabad 18/11/1871. Granted Good Conduct Pay at 3 pence per diem 6/2/1877. Forfeited 1 penny per Diem Good Conduct Pay 28/1/1878; restored to 3 pence per diem 28/1/1879. Service continued in South Wales Borderers 1/7/1881. Granted Good Conduct Pay at 4 pence per diem 6/2/1883. Granted Good Conduct Pay at 5 pence per diem 6/2/1888. Claimed discharge after giving 3 months notice. Discharged at Secunderabad 20/2/1889 having completed service amounting to 24 years and 15 days: Conduct exemplary.
Next-of-kin, Mrs. J. Dick, mother, Island Magee, County Antrim, Ireland.
Served at Home 6/2/1865 -29/6/1865; India 30/6/1865 - 2/I/1873; Home 3/1/1873 - 30/11/1878; South Africa 31/11/1878 - 12/8/1880; Mediterranean 13/8/1880 - 11/8/1880; India 12/8/1880 - 20/2/1889. Served in the Kaffir War 1878. Served in the Zulu War 1879 (WO97)

Posts : 3460 Join date : 2021-01-04

His medal is up for sale on sale room estimate £120 - 150. Date of auction 14th December.

https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/bosleys-military-auctioneers/catalogue-id-srbos10045/lot-51fd559d-99bf-4ce6-9b31-af6300aa64a9?queryId=31a5f3fa511371877bb056a85524f6fb

Auction house description:-
2nd Bn 24th Foot South Wales Borderers South African Zulu War Medal, clasp 1877-8-9. Awarded to 1634 PTE W DICKS 2 24TH FOOT. PLEASE NOTE Converted by Spink & Son of London to a card place setting stand bearing silver hallmarks for London 1905. Confirmed on the medal serving with the Regiment at time of award. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY

» 1634 Pte William Dicks
» With Reference to the Zulu Regiment/s, that attack Rorke’s drift.
» George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender.