Mr. John Hinshaw

"ZULU WAR RELIVED FOR FIFE FAMILY
Memories of stories told to him by his father were brought back to a Kirkcaldy man at the showing of a film in Kirkcaldy A.B.C. cinema this week.
For 69 year old Arthur Hinshaw, of 65 Hendry Road was guest of honour at a showing of "Zulu" - the story of the defense of Rorke's Drift in Natal by a company of British soldiers during the Zulu War in 1879.
Mr. Hinshaw's father, Mr. John Hinshaw, was a member of that small British garrison which defended Rorke's Drift against 4000 Zulus on the day in which 11 V.C.'s were awarded.
A native of Gateshead, Mr. Hinshaw remembers being told by his father, who died in Glasgow in 1941, all about the battle that is now a part of history.
John worked as a clerk in Newcastle.  One day his employer struck him for some mistake he had made and Mr. Hinshaw's temper flared.
He picked up the thing that happened to be nearest him - an ink well - and threw it at him.
Ran Away
The red ink sprayed out of the well all over his boss and John, thinking he had killed him, ran away.
He joined the 2nd battalion South Wales Borders (24th Foot) and was stationed at Bercon.
They were posted to South Africa and marched from Cape Town to Natal.
Mr. Arthur Hinshaw remembers well being told about the massacre of the 1st Battalion at Isandula and the defense of Rorke's Drift by 80 men of "B" Company.  Mr. Hinshaw has a copy of the "Newcastle Daily Chronicle" of November 5 1897 which gives his father's account of the battle.
MEDAL
Mr. Hinshaw's son, Mr. Arthur Hinshaw, Junior, of 59 Benarty Street, has one of his prize possessions, his grandfather's campaign medal for the Zulu War.  At the performance of the film Mr. Hinshaw felt that he had been there at the time and knew exactly what was coming next.  Even the characters were familiar!  John often talked of Hook, one of the heroes of the film, and actually met him after the Zulu War and wrote to him for many years.  Due to the excellent turnout by the public, "Zulu" is being held for a second week at the A.B.C."

Hi Chelmsfordthescapegoat

I am unable to find anyone of that name listed on the Medal Roll.

Thanks 1879Graves.

It also states. "2nd battalion South Wales Borders (24th Foot)" cue Martin!

Hi Chelmsfordthescapegoat

John Albert Hinshaw enlisted into the Army in 1877 under the alias of Alfred Herbert Woodford.

He is listed on the Medal Roll as 1271 Lance Corporal A.W. Woodford.

Served in D Company 2nd Bn 24th Foot (2nd Bn orders book promoted LCpl 23.1.1879) - so was not at Isandlwana nor the defence of Rorke's Drift.

Well, maybe the old boy was at Rorke's Drift and could have gone to Isandlwana but was not AT Rorke's Drift or Isandlwana on 22/01/79......so goes family history......

In my own less auspicious families military career, my dad and granddad told me things about Suez and WW2 (respectively), which either I have remembered wrong, assumed wrong or they both embellished to stop some kid pestering them about "what did you do in the war Granddad?" when he was trying to listen to the pools scores on the radio....

Nothing at all to do with the topic but yesterday I had the absolute pleasure in standing next to the grave of Sam Wassal. Pouring rain and me from South Africa in light bush slacks and my Rorkes drift shirt. There really shouldnt be that much rain in one place at the same time. Biblical.

You back in blighty then?

Maybe after all those years of South African sun you have forgotten about our fine weather......especially in the North West.....

Hi Sime
Flying (literally) visit to family in Cumbria. And yes i did forget the origin of the English sun tan.

Frank,

We experienced the Cumbrian monsoon when we were up in the Fells last week!

You’d better stay indoors later this afternoon given the approaching weather front, or buy a brolly!

JY

Good way to catch Flu John.
Julie Andrews did the same.
Remember the song.... The hills are alive with the sound of mucus.

Hi All,
John Albert Hinshaw, born 1856 Kennington London, 1891 and 1901 census Gateshead married 1892/93 Jane, son Albert born 1894 Gateshead. was a Railway Labourer.
Rai Keynshamlighthorse.

Hi

Has anyone looked up John's newspaper article mentioned in the original post above.
Newcastle Daily Chronicle, November 5, 1897.

Only details I have - so promotion is mentioned in the 2 Bn Orders Book - and was at RD from 23 Jan 79 for six weeks after the battle. from his number enlisted about Apr 1877,

WOODFORD Alfred W (HINSHAW, John Albert). – Lance/Corporal – 25B/1271 – 2nd/24th D Company
Service details: Appointed Lance/Corporal 23/1/1879.
Awarded good conduct pay at 1d 26/2/1879.
Arrived at Casemate Barracks Gibraltar in the Mediterranean 13/1/1880 aboard H.M.S.Orontes.
Honours/awards: South Africa Medal 1877-8-9 with clasp 1877-8-9.