1794 Pte Ashley Goatham

1794 Pte Ashley Goatham, Died 22nd Jan 1879 Isandhlwana, Memorial, Bredgar Churchyard Kent.

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Ashley Goatham (above), killed in the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879, in his last letter he tells his mother to ‘cheer up’

Hi All .
Some more info on Ashley from ' The Noble 24th ' by N.Holme . Goatham , Ashley Thomas 1 / 24th 1794 . Pte .
Named incorrectly as Ashby Gotham on muster rolland O. Goatham on medal roll . Born 22 / 1 / 55 at Bredgar, Kent . He was the son of George Goatham and his wife , Rose Hanna . Posted to service Companies , Jan 1872 , Deserted 30 / 11 / 75 ; Rejoined 11 / 12 / 75. Married Susan Seale in Sth Africa and had issue , One son . ( A number of his letters dated 72 - 79 are held in the Killie Campbell Library , Natal . and the Regimental Archive . ) There is a memorial to him in Bredgar Churchyard ( Regimental Archive ) , Effects claimed by his father . South Africa Medal with Clasp 77-78-79 .
As we can see he was killed on his birthday , I think some of his letter are in ' The Red Soldier ' by Frank Emery . I also seem to remember he and his father had some sort of row and Ashley says in his letters to his mum why isnt his father sending him letters ; or words to that effect if I remember correctly .
cheers 90th.

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Photo by Tim Needham