9312 Sapper H Cuthbert 5th Field Coy RE

Subject: 9312 Sapper H Cuthbert 5th Field Coy RE Fri Jun 19, 2015 10:24 am

Hi,
first post so feeling a little bit anxious. I'm looking for information on the above, who is an ancestor of mine killed at Isandlwana. Can anyone assist on: position in line at start of battle, & where he would have fallen?
Thanks.

Very Happy

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Hi Martini-Henry

Welcome to the forum, great to hear from you. You may know that there is a reference to Sapper Cuthbert in a little book called the "Red Earth" published in 1996 by the Royal Engineers Museum to accompany an exhibition of the RE and the Zulu War. Cuthbert was one of those who came up with Lt. Chard to repair and maintain the ponts at Rorke's Drift.

In the section on Sappers at Rorke's Drift it says "The four sappers received orders on 22nd to join No 3 column at its new camp at the foot of the hill Isandhlwana, some ten miles up the road from Rorke's Drift. The four men climbed into their empty wagon and the native driver set off for Isandhlwana. Later that day, having successfully lured Lord Chelmsford and half the column away from Isandhlwana, the 20,000 strong Zulu army swept down on the camp which, despite of fierce resistence was totally overrun, the four Sappers being amongst the 1,350 casualties, only 78 Europeans escaping."

I imagine they must have been located in the camp itself. But others may have a better idea of where exactly.

Hope you can tell us more about Sapper Cuthbert.

Steve

Subject: Re: 9312 Sapper H Cuthbert 5th Field Coy RE Fri Jun 19, 2015 12:41 pm

Thanks mate family history is a funny thing and family elders are no longer around. They did tell me he was at Rorke's drift as he wasn't listed as a casualty I was stumped. It's great that you have cleared this puzzle up.

Guest

Henry Cuthbert
Born c. 1845
Enlisted 5/8/1867, age 22 years 11 months
Re-engaged to complete 21 years service - Aldershot 11/7/1878

Served with 15th Company RE c. 1875-1876
Posted to 5th Field Company RE 1/1/1877 (Sandhurst)

Muster and Pay rolls reveal that his next of kin received credits of £7. 12s. 3d.

Subject: Re: 9312 Sapper H Cuthbert 5th Field Coy RE Fri Jun 19, 2015 9:22 pm

Wow! Thanks Mr Stevenson - that is brilliant! Where did you get this info?

Guest

Information came from the Muster and Pay Rolls held at the National Archives in Kew.

I sent copies of my research into William Gamble, Henry Cuthbert, John McLaren and Marshall Wheatley to the RE Museum prior tot the Red Earth Exhibition

Subject: Re: 9312 Sapper H Cuthbert 5th Field Coy RE Mon Jun 22, 2015 5:04 am

Sir, I owe you a debt of gratitude.

Posts : 270 Join date : 2017-07-21 Location : San Diego, CA

Sapper Cuthbert was identified along Fugitive's Trail by Commandant A. Montgomery of the 1st Natal Native Contingent, during a July 1879 visit to the battlefield.

Subject: Re: 9312 Sapper H Cuthbert 5th Field Coy RE Fri Mar 12, 2021 1:29 pm

Some information here and a letter to his wife.

Click Here

Posts : 1 Join date : 2024-06-27

Greetings,

This is my first post. I would just like to thank all members for their dedication in their research. I have been researching my family tree, as my father’s side was rather spotty. I was surprised to find that Sapper Cuthbert was my great great grandfather. I am very proud to have that relationship, especially since I was a Royal Engineer myself. Once again, my thanks for all the additional information.

Subject: Re: 9312 Sapper H Cuthbert 5th Field Coy RE Tue Sep 03, 2024 12:32 pm

Thank you so much for sharing your story and connection to Sapper Cuthbert. It’s always special to find those ties to family history, especially when they align with our own experiences. We're glad the forum members' research could help you, and we appreciate your kind words. Welcome to the group!

Subject: Re: 9312 Sapper H Cuthbert 5th Field Coy RE Wed Sep 04, 2024 11:53 am

Cuthbert69
To complete the picture for you, apart from Corporal Gamble and the three sappers named above, there were also three other R.E. present and killed at the battle:
9032 Corp. N. Mansfield 7th coy RE
Lieut. Francis MacDowel
Bvt. Col. Anthony Durnford

Martini-Henry
Re your family elders' story that Cuthbert was at Rorke's Drift. He was. But he left it on the morning of the 22nd January to make the trip to Isandhlwana. So your family elders were sort of right.

» Hon Guy Cuthbert Dawnay
» Replacements By “ Sapper “.
» Sapper G. Walker