58th rutlandshire foot 1879

Posts : 4 Join date : 2014-08-03 Location : Kent England

Hello everyone
new guy eljas here, From reading quite a few posts on here it's obvious that there is an awful lot of combined knowledge out there between the forums members.

So to the point, I have recently discovered My gg grandad George Hayward was a seargent in the 58th Rutlandshire foot. He was married to a local girl in 1878 in Folkestone whilst barracked at or near Dover castle, I am trying to find out more about him and his army career. I signed up to the FWR to see what they had on him. (very basic information) Seems he was shipped out to africa in 1879 and received the south africa medal no bar. but thats it no more info on how long he was there, if he saw action there or when he was discharged. any more information would be greatly appreciated and sorry in advance if this is not posted correctly or if this is not the type of topic members are interested in.

regards eljas

Guest

Hiya eljas, your very welcome here, ignore my avatar that
is from 1880, the 58th did indeed see action, during the
second invasion they were with the second division under
General Newdigate..as you said their are many good people
on here so look forward to some more information.
cheers xhosa2000

Posts : 4 Join date : 2014-08-03 Location : Kent England

Many thanks for your responses, As well as trying to find out what eventually happened to George I am also interested in his army career, I have an unconfirmed report he signed up in Shrewsbury in 1876
but is it possible he could have made seargent by 1879?

I read in an account by by S. Monick (PROFILE OF AN ARMY: THE COLONIAL AND IMPERIAL FORCES OF THE ZULU WAR OF 1879) That the 58th were sent to africa in early 1979 and the 58th left two detached companies in Natal under Major General Clifford as part of the lines of Communications guard.
My question is what would have been the duties of those two detached companies?
many thanks in anticipation
eljas