Captain Joseph Ruscombe Poole, Royal Artillery

Subject: Captain Joseph Ruscombe Poole, Royal Artillery Tue May 05, 2015 9:29 pm

Joseph Ruscombe Poole, born 27th January 1843.

Commissioned as a Lieutenant 18th December 1861. Promoted to Captain 16th January 1875.

He served with the Field Force during the war.

Accompanied King Cetshwayo to the Cape Castle, where he served as the king's gaoler. During their time together the king and the officer struck up a friendship

Brevet of Major 24th July 1880.

Killed in action at the Battle of Laing's Nek 28th January 1881, during the 1st Anglo-Boer War.

The king's official intrepreter, Mr. Samuelson had to break the news to Cetshwayo, ‘...as soon as the bad news had been interpreted by me, Cetshwayo’s head drooped downward and tears rolled down his cheeks.’

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An engraving from The Graphic of 26th March 1881, relating to the death of Brevet Major Joseph Ruscombe Poole, R.A.

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The photograph on which the engraving is based depicting the then Lieutenant Joseph Ruscombe Poole, prior to January 1875.
John Young Collection.

John Y.

Posts : 272 Join date : 2010-08-13

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Isandula Collection

Posts : 272 Join date : 2010-08-13

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Isandula Collection

Posts : 4 Join date : 2016-08-02

Hello and thank you for letting me join the forum.
I purchased a Zulu war medal from a country house sale over 35 years ago. The medal is in very good condition and has a single clasp "1879", it is named in sloping capitals to Major J R Poole Royal Arty but has no number on it. I was wondering if this medal was awarded to the Major J R Poole in this topic. If anyone could give me some advice on how to verify the medal it would be greatly appreciated. Also I have no idea as to the value of this medal but it did cost me £45, which to me was a lot of money at the time!

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Welcome Macram.

It sounds as though you may have something very valuable indeed. Here is a good general reference guide for the medal.

http://www.northeastmedals.co.uk/britishguide/zulu/south_africa_zulu_medal_1877_79.htm

I would suggest you take it to a reputable auction house (such as Spinks) for an opinion on authenticity and value. If it is right and because it is to a special recipient as Cetewayo's gaoler, I would guess around £4k, but I could be way out. It is unlikely to be less I would think as AZW medals are through the roof. Don't accept any offers until you have professional advice!

Which country house did it come from, that may give a clue as to provenance?

Steve

Posts : 4 Join date : 2016-08-02

Hello Steve
Thank you for your response and information. I have just been looking at the link you provided and it provides a lot of interesting information on the AZW medal. I had no idea it could be potentially worth so much! But I will get it checked by a professional auction house. The name of the country house escapes me at the moment but I saw the sale by chance as I was driving through Suffolk all those years ago, but it was near Walsham Le Willows. However, thank you for help and advice.
Mark

Subject: Capt Joseph Ruscombe Poole RA . Wed Aug 03, 2016 2:11 pm

Hi Macram
I agree with Rusteze , have it verified , if you got it 35 years ago there is no doubt in my mind it's genuine , no such thing as fakes I believe that far back when it comes to medals , especially as I doubt Poole was very well known and who would contemplate even making a fake medal to Poole , it's hard to gauge it's value , but 4 K may be close to the mark , it all boils down to what someone is willing to pay , as its a very rare ( Cetswayo's Gaoler ) medal , the good thing is you will be able to find Poole in the records and books etc , good luck with it , certainly have it verified . You will be in for a pleasant surprise I expect .
90th

Gary,

Your statement:...if you got it 35 years ago there is no doubt in my mind it's genuine , no such thing as fakes I believe that far back when it comes to medals... brought a smile to my face.

At that time at there was a prolific skimmer in operation, not only was he involved in renaming prominent named recipients and k.i.a.'s, he was not adverse to some cairn-robbing at Isandlwana.

He was convicted in London in 1979/80 in a reported case.

John Y.

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Here is his entry on the medal roll at Kew.
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His baptism took place on 22 March 1843 near Bridgewater in Somerset. His father was a solicitor and farmer. Interesting baptismal entry which has "Ruscombe"pencilled in. Ruscombe Hall was later built for the Ruscombe-Poole family in 1863 (now holiday lets). John Poole was the officiating minister, no doubt a family member.
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Wonder how it came to be in Suffolk?

Steve

Posts : 4 Join date : 2016-08-02

This is fantastic the amount of knowledge/information you gentlemen have on here. I should say I have since been told that the family that used to own the house where I purchased the medal were the Martineau family. I still cannot remember the name of it but I described it to a friend of mine who knowns the area and he said he knew the one I meant as it is the only large house in the middle of the village. The medal was not in the house by the way it was in a seed tray in a shed with some other odds and ends and it was seeing the ribbon sticking up that made me look. As to why it was in Suffolk I have no idea, but I'm glad it was. Following your earlier advice I have also been in contact with a reputable auction house and will be talking to them on Monday 8/8/16. I will keep you posted on the outcome.
Mark

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

A quick search reveals the house as "The Lawns" bought by the Martineau family in the 1850's. They had a lot of interesting connections but I cannot see any Pooles at first glance. I do like a good mystery, medals in seed trays!

Good luck.

Steve

One of the Martineaus was Bartle Frere's biographer.

John Y.

Subject: Capt Joseph Ruscombe Poole RA . Thu Aug 04, 2016 4:46 am

Thanks JY , I was obviously to young to know of skimmers back then ! Very Happy

.

It's becoming an interesting topic with the Martineaus , along with the Frere connection .
Cheers 90th Very Happy

90th,

Too young... Lay off the dagga in your roll-ups like the Major ordered... Joker

I haven't forgotten you just too busy at work at present to comply with your request!

JY

Subject: Capt Joseph Ruscombe Poole RA . Fri Aug 05, 2016 2:22 am

Hhahahahha JY Very Happy

.
I was about to shoot you an email as a gentle prod re your book , and the Smith CDV , glad I read this first before annoying you ! Joker

Cheers JY

Think I'll catch up with the Major next April - May for a couple of weeks .

Posts : 4 Join date : 2016-08-02

Hello Gentlemen,
An update on the Zulu war medal. The medal has been confirmed as genuine and is to be sold by Lockdales at Martlesham Heath in Suffolk on Saturday 19/11/2016. Major Poole served in the first Boer war and was mentioned in dispatches before being sadly killed in action on 28/1/1881 at Laings Nek. The medal has been guided at £1500-£2000 and is quoted in the catalogue as a nice research piece. I would just like to thank you all for the help and information you so kindly provided. Many thanks. It would be nice to think the medal could be purchased by a museum and put on display for many people to appreciate.
Kind Regards,
Mark

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