‘D. O’NEILL GUNr RN HMS SHAH’ ONE OF 3 GUNNERS TO SERVE DURING THE ZULU WAR, PRESENT AT THE BATTLE OF GINGINDLOVU

"D. O’NEILL GUNr RN HMS SHAH’ ONE OF 3 GUNNERS TO SERVE DURING THE ZULU WAR, PRESENT AT THE BATTLE OF GINGINDLOVU

Royal Navy Gunner Daniel O’Neill was present onboard HMS Shah and landed with the Naval Brigade, taking part at the battle of Gingindlovu and relief of Eshowe. From all the ships landing men, just three Royal Navy Gunners served in Zululand itself during the War and only O’Neill and Cook were present during the battle of Gingindlovu. Undoubtedly these two men were closely involved with the Gatling and artillery pieces taken from the ships. O’Neill is recorded as being on shore with the Naval Brigade from 8th March 1879 to 16th July 1879. O’Neill’s entry in the 1880 Navy list gives the following:

'O'Neil, D., Gunner of " Shah," landed with her Naval Brigade during the Zulu War, accompanied the Ekowe Relief Column, present at the battle of Gingihlovo, 2nd April, 1879.'

The medal roll shows 4 Gunners on Shah, which is unusual as only one of these Officers is normally allocated per ship However it seems the others were on passage to other appointments when Shah was diverted to South Africa after news of the disaster at Isandlwana"

I'm certain Jager Medals sold this medal last year .
90th