Memorial to the 24th Regiment Boys KIA Isandlwana

Springy mate.

I just knew you had done that to get a response from me, the phrase 'you absolute stinker' comes to mind Very Happy

Busy in the garden over the weekend Frank, there is always something to do in the garden, it seems like a never ending task.

Cheers mate. Salute

Subject: Memorial to the 24th regt boys KIA Isandlwana Fri Jun 06, 2014 3:51 pm

Hi Martin
You think your busy in the garden now , wait till you get a few days of sunshine ! , you'll think your in zululand when you wake up !. Very Happy

Cheers 90th

Posts : 2594 Join date : 2009-04-24

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John
Could you clarify something you wrote re James Gurney? I too have him enlisting at age 15 on 20th December 1877 but I have nothing further on his age - the only indicator being the one or two mentions of his being a 'Private' by January 1879 in various rolls and of course his rank as 'Boy' on the two regimental rolls of 1879 and 1892.
You wrote above "However, it is clear for a fact that he was only 16yrs of age on 22nd January 1879".
I was wondering what had prompted you to write with such conviction. Had you found a more definitive source re his dob?
Thanks
Julian

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Julian

A couple of pieces of information you may already have. On the original medal roll 1494 James Gurney is listed as "Lad" (as is 1491 Gordon). And there is a registered birth for James Gurney in Watford for the July Quarter 1863. Gurney appears to be a local family name with another James registered in 1864, so you would need the certificates to find out more.

Steve

Posts : 2268 Join date : 2010-10-22 Location : France

Bonjour,
About GURNEY, in my "notes" i wrote;
"James GURNEY (Compagnie D - 2/24ème), âgé de 16 ans le 22/01/1879 (recruté le 20/12/1877 à 15 ans)".
But i forgot to mention the "source" of this information...

Sorry....

Cheers

Frédéric

Thank you Rusteze.
If Gurney were 15 in Dec 1877, he must have been born in 1862 or 1863 which makes the Watford Gurney of July 1863 the one, i.e. he was born in the quarter May-July which in turn means he MUST have been still 16 in January 1879 and therefore a Boy.
Thank you very much indeed!

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Julian

Just to note that for birth registration purposes the quarter runs from July-September. But it still works!

Steve

Rusteze
Thanks. I stand corrected. My memory is going soft as I sink into senility (or is it debauchery?).

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Julian

It's probably both, but the sadness is that suffering from the former means you can't remember the latter!

Steve

Subject: Memorial to the 24th Regt Boys KIA Isandlwana Thu Jul 23, 2015 2:10 pm

Julian
For your sake , hopefully , it's the latter Shocked

Steve
Very good ! Very Happy

90th

» Memorial to the 24th Regt Boys KIA Isandlwana 22nd Jan 1879
» Memorial to men of the 2nd Btn 24th Regiment
» Memorial to men of the 2nd Btn 24th Regiment killed during the Zulu War.
» Memorial to men of the 1st Btn 13th (Somerset) Light Infantry.
» Memorial to Lts. Melvill & Coghill V.C. & members of the 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment.