Zulu WarMedal

Posts : 8 Join date : 2013-10-19

I have just found a medall in our Family that was given to my Great.Great Great Grandfather 13834 THG Cullerne RE
Bar 1879
I bought a couple of books on the war "Washing of the Spears" but very little about the RE

Which column were they with he was 2nd Company. I believe there were three columns Chelmsford.. Pearson. and Wood
Can any one helpme on this?

Brian

Subject: Zulu War Medal Sat Oct 19, 2013 8:20 am

Hi Brian.
In a nutshell there were 5 Columns , No 1 Commanded by Pearson in which the 2nd Co RE were present , these 177 men were under the Command of Capt W.R.C.Wynne ( Who Died at Ft Pearson 9 / 4 / 79 ) this Column took part in the Battle of Nyezane which was on the same day as Isandlwana & R.Drift but much earlier in the day 22 / 1 / 79 . The Column then proceeded to Eshowe where it was entrenched for about 15 weeks before it was relieved by Lord Chelmesford and his relief column . No 2 Column was under the command of A.Durnford , No3 Column was commanded by Glyn although it's well known that Lord Chelmesford issued the Orders as he was with this column , No 4 Column commanded by Wood and the last No5 by Rowlands .
Cheers 90th.

Subject: Zulu War Medal Sat Oct 19, 2013 8:28 am

Forgot to mention the previous info was from ' Red Earth , The Royal Engineers and the zulu war 1879 ' Produced by the R.E.Museum , Prince Arthur Road , Gillingham , Kent . From pge 7 ; In November 1878 the authorities had agreed to send more troops to Sth Africa . Word had reached London War was expected .The 2nd Field Com RE was among those travelling to the Cape , setting out from Shorncliffe Camp on the 29th Nov 78 . The journey was made aboard the troopship Walmer Castle , calling at Madeira and Cape Town , then onto Port Natal .
Cheers 90th. Salute

Posts : 3394 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Brian

Just to add a little to what 90th has said, the following is credited to Thomas Cullerne

At the Battle of Nyezane on Wednesday 22nd January 1879, he is quoted as saying or writing the Following.
“The fight lasted from three to four hours, hard fighting. I am thankful to say I escaped. We expect another battle in a few days. We were taken by surprise in the bush.”
Source ‘The Red Earth’

Subject: zulu war medal Sat Oct 19, 2013 10:36 am

Hi Graves1879.
As you can see I also used the ' Red Earth ' , I had a quick browse ( a very quick one ! ) and obviously missed the Cullerne statment ! You need to study mo

, Glad you posted it Salute

Cheers 90th Shocked

Posts : 8 Join date : 2013-10-19

The 1879 medal to Spr Cullerne.. Found out from my cousin that his Name was \Francis Henry Cullerne. Obviously an error on the medal lists.
Thanks to all who gave me information
Brian Seward North Vancouver BC:D

Posts : 8 Join date : 2013-10-19

Is it possible to get a copy of the Museum history "Red Earth"

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Coincidence or what ? Currently on EBay.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zulu-War-medal-and-bar-recipient-Death-remembrance-Card-/290999509985?pt=UK_Collectables_Militaria_LE&hash=item43c0ec23e1

Steve

Subject: Zulu War Medal Tue Oct 22, 2013 6:57 am

Hi Brian .
I've spent some time trying to find RED EARTH with no luck , I'll have another try tomorrow .
90th You need to study mo

Posts : 9 Join date : 2014-01-28 Location : USA

Brian,

My grandfather was in the 30th Company, RE, as a Sapper. His unit and others joined Chelmford and he was at Ginginhlovo. Later the forces were split and the 30th went up the coast with Crealock. Grandfather's number was 13336 with him enlisting at the end of 1875. The numbers seem as if there were about 500 numbers difference between your ancestor and mine; do you know about when yours enlisted?

Posts : 8 Join date : 2013-10-19

rainproof, I have found no date of when he joined , however he was discharged in Sept 79 and began work in a Doctors Office in Slaithwaite Yorks.

Posts : 9 Join date : 2014-01-28 Location : USA

Brian,
If it helps, my grandfather's term of enlistment was 8 years service plus 4 years in a reserve status subject to recall. Perhaps the servicemen numbers were not assigned sequentially, or perhaps your ancestor was able to be released from service when he returned from South Africa.

Posts : 8 Join date : 2013-10-19

Yes, I believe he was discharged on medical grounds having had a bad illness in SA.

Subject: Zulu War Medal Tue Jan 28, 2014 9:39 pm

Hi Rainproof .
Going by the Regimental number you gave for your Grandfather 13336 , according to the Forsyth Publication ' The South African War Medal 1877-78-79 , The Medal Roll states the following ; Sapper 13336 W. Clarke . Medal with 1879 Clasp . There were 212 medals issued , 4 returned to Woolwich Mint , 206 with the Clasp 1879 , 6 unclasped ( Never crossed the Border into Zululand )
They were commanded by Captain Bindon Blood who I think also had a command during WW1 ? .
Cheers 90th You need to study mo

Posts : 8 Join date : 2013-10-19

Sorry his number 13834!! the 8 became a 3 somewhere. He was with Capt Warren Wynn.

Posts : 9 Join date : 2014-01-28 Location : USA

Thanks for giving me the name of my grandfathers Company CO.

Posts : 9 Join date : 2014-01-28 Location : USA

Brian,

My grandfather did only a little better....in the following Egyptian campaign he contracted malaria such that he had a weak heart for the rest of his life. Considering all the locales for serving Victoria, this must have happened often.

Subject: Zulu War Medal Tue Jan 28, 2014 10:16 pm

Hi Brian .
Yes , your ancestor was with Wynne , and yes T.H.G. Cullerne your ancestor was in the 2nd Field Co R.E , Sapper .
Did you say you have his medal or do other family members have it ? .
90th.

Posts : 8 Join date : 2013-10-19

My Cousin has the medal

Posts : 2 Join date : 2014-01-30

Hello all my 1st cousin(3xremoved) William Clifton born 1853 Twekesbury glouces.
1st Dragoon Guards served in the Zulu campaign 1879 till 1880 when he was posted to Meerut India
on the Orontes from Durban.
I have his service record and it states he was awarded the Africa medal with clasp.
Does anyone know which battles the Dragoons were involved in? some of it is hard to read as
whoever filled in those forms did not print.
William lived and joined up in Birmingham and had previously served in the Warwickshire militia.
I think his regimental number was 1175.
regards Geniey.

Subject: Re: Zulu WarMedal Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:31 pm

I could be wrong, but I think they only took part in the Battle of Ulundi. The last Battle, which brough the Zulu War to an end! Happy to be corrected!

Subject: Re: Zulu WarMedal Thu Jan 30, 2014 10:50 pm

Lt Colonel R J C Marter - 1st Kings Dragoon Guards. . Some information regarding there movements! Click on link below. Scroll down to 1879 entries

http://www.qdg.org.uk/diaries.php?dy=45

Subject: Re: Zulu WarMedal Thu Jan 30, 2014 11:22 pm

Last one for the night. Hope it helps!

http://samilitaryhistory.org/vol065ec.html

Subject: Re: Zulu WarMedal Fri Jan 31, 2014 1:03 pm

from memory there is a comprehensive write up from Briasn Best on the AZWHS web site - I cant pinpoint when though. I have a hard copy somewhere so will check later when it was posted. As far as Ulundi there was only a minority of KDG - the cavalry being predominantly, colonials , MI and 17th Lancers.

A troop of the KDG did capture Cestwayo and also escorted the body of the PI.

regards

Sergio

Guest

As Sergio say's. On the 1st of June the second invasion began
as the huge column crossed into Zululand. for the KDG there
was to be disappointment. the head quarters and four troops
were to be based at Conference Hill, while another two troops
were sent to Rorkes Drift. the only KDG to accompany Chelmsfords
second division was a detachment commanded by Major Marter.

British Cavalry in the Zulu War. by Brian M Best. AZWHS page 17

Guest

sorry, meant to say. Tenth Edition. Salute

Subject: Re: Zulu WarMedal Fri Jan 31, 2014 4:53 pm

Thanks Xhosa Salute

will save me a task. I remember it was an excellent article outlining how the KDG had to give up their mounts to the Lancers. I can only imagne the outrage amongst the KDG officers..

Guest

like you i have all the printed hard copy's,
mine were within arms reach, and i had an idea
where the article was! Yes the KDG were fit to spit!
as you know they were part of the ' heavy brigade '
large men on larger horses..lots of good information
and worth anyone having all the set.1- 16. Les Wink

Guest

Whilst bringing forward a convoy, Marter
heard that the battle of Ulundi had been
fought! and that to his bitter grief he and
his men were out of the longed for fight... that from me.

"I could be wrong, but I think they only took part in the Battle of Ulundi. The last Battle, which brough the Zulu War to an end! Happy to be corrected"!.. littlehand! you were wrong! but then you posted
the links which proved you were! that is a tad confusing. Salute

Posts : 2 Join date : 2014-01-30

Hello littlehand thank you for the info my cousin had fever twice so conditions could not have
been very good.
At least I know that he set sail for Meerut and was not part of the army that stayed in SA.
regards Geniey.

Subject: Re: Zulu WarMedal Tue Feb 04, 2014 6:24 pm

Just to clarify things on this thread.

1st (King's) Dragoon Guards present at the Battle of Ulundi, 4th July 1879.

Captain William Vesey Brownlow, performing duties as an Assistant Transport Officer, and Orderly Officer to Colonel Drury Curzon Drury-Lowe, formerly of the 17th (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers, commander of the Cavalry Detachment.

Lieutenant Robert Abraham Brewster French-Brewster, Deputy Provost-Marshal of the IInd Division, commanding twenty-four other-ranks of the 1st K.D.G.'s present - who according to a source I have read - were performing the role of Military Mounted Police.

John Y.

Guest

"Peeler's come to arrest the Zulu's". Very Happy

Subject: Zulu War Medal Tue Feb 04, 2014 9:27 pm

Like it Les , LOL.
90th

Guest

Hiya Gary

not long now! Salute

Subject: Re: Zulu WarMedal Thu Feb 06, 2014 7:18 pm

Geniey wrote:: Hello littlehand thank you for the info my cousin had fever twice so conditions could not have
been very good.
At least I know that he set sail for Meerut and was not part of the army that stayed in SA.
regards Geniey.

Genley, no problem, I will carrying on searching, if anything else comes up, I will post. Salute

» Did he take part in the Zulu War. William 'Zulu' Smith, was a veteran of the Zulu War of 1879
» OFFICIAL HISTORY OF THE ZULU WAR. NARRATIVE OF THE FIELD OPERATIONS CONNECTED WITH THE ZULU WAR OF 1879
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