Zulu: Lieutenant John Chard:What's our strength? Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead:Seven officers including surgeon, commissaries and so on; Adendorff now I suppose; wounded and sick 36, fit for duty 97 and about 40 native levies. Not much of an army for you
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My Great, Great Uncle Harry Boik (Trooper #141) served with the Natal Mounted Police for at least part of the Zulu Wars. He was not present at Rorke's Drift or Isandlwana. I have attached a photo of him taken in about 1929. I would be interested if anyone is able to help me out with any further information on him.
This might help. Note what it says about Rorke's Drift?
The Natal Witness, dated about 1932.
The death has occurred of a highly respected old pioneer, Mr Harry Boik of 'Maylands', Inzinga, who passed away after a long and painful illness.
He was buried at Inzinga cemetery a large number of friends and neighbours being present. The officiating clergyman was the rev Mr Gibbs, of Underberg. The late Mr Boik was one of the earliest pioneers in the district, having resided on the farm ' Maylands' for the past 43 years.
Born at Leystone Essex some 74 years ago and educated at Ardingly College, he came to Natal as a youth of 17 years and joined the Natal Mounted Police. He served throughout the Zulu War, and at one time acted as escort to the late Prince Imperial.
Being on patrol he escaped the massacre of Isandhlwana, the patrol escaping to Rorkes Drift, which place he helped to defend. After the Zulu War he took his discharge from the police and went to Kimberly to try his luck as a digger, but desired luck not coming he returned to England. After being there for two years the call of his Country was too strong. He came out again and re-joined his old regiment, and was stationed for some years at Bulwere and deepdale, where he again saw service against the natives on the Griqualand border. He was resigned to take up farming, and after marrying Emma second daughter of the late John Root of Deepdale, he and his bride came to live on 'Maylands' which was bare veld and no road nearer than the Nottingham Road. All provisions had to be brought there on packhorses.
By dint (?) of hard work and economy they made good and eventually became the owners of a fine farm of 5000 acres, where they carried on successfully as stock farmers. Mr Boik was a very keen angler and was largely responsibly for the stocking of local rivers with trout. Of a kind and humorous disposition Mr Boik was held in high esteem by all who knew him.. He leaves to mourn their loss his wife, a daughter, Mrs. Wilfred Butler of Martizburg and five sons. Among the wreaths were noticed from His loving wife and sons; Colin and Nellie; Wilfred, May and children. Willie Twenie and family; Agnes, Mr & Mrs. C.W.Cross and family; Reggie & Lillian. All at Borreray. Mr & Mrs. A.K. Stone and family; All at Castle Howard; Frank Dunn and F. Strydom; Merie McLean; Grannie Butler and Raymond. All old friends at Snowdon, All at 'Vergelegen'; L Carter. All at No.6 Macfarlane Street Martizburg. Mr & Mrs. C.J. Laurens and E.J.Roberts.
Occupation: Natal Mounted Policeman 1875 - 1885
Pioneer and farmer 1885 - 1932.
Steve
90th
Posts : 10051 Join date : 2009-04-07 Age : 64 Location : Melbourne, Australia
Subject: Harry Boik NMP Wed Jul 22, 2015 6:30 am
A tad more info on Boik From '' For God , Queen & Colony '' by Terry Sole . Belk ( Boik )Henry Attested 25 / 9 / 76 - Discharged 6 / 10 / 79 . 90th
Frank Allewell
Posts : 7440 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 73 Location : Cape Town South Africa
Subject: Re: Harry Boik, Natal Mounted Police Wed Jul 22, 2015 7:42 am
Only three NMP at RD, Lugg, Hunter and Green. Funnily enough though Barry mentioned a possible 4th some time back? Possibly he could clarify for us?
Cheers
barry
Posts : 918 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay
Subject: NMP defenders at Rorkes Drift Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:18 am
Hi Frank, Good to hear from you. Yes indeed. However reperusal of the NMP Regimental records vis-à-vis RD defence only shows the three whom you mentioned above. Another problem I have is that Tpr Belk (Boit) took his discharge from the NMP in 1879, so could not have been involved with all of the NMP activity around the visit to the Natal battlefields of the French Royal family, as this all occurred in the period Apr-Aug 1880. He may have been part of the Dartnell patrol, but the men in that hardly "escaped" to RD, as claimed in the obituary. Perhaps this is only sensational or glorified journalism. I will revert if I find more on this trooper.
regards
barry
whizz-bang
Posts : 3 Join date : 2015-07-15
Subject: Re: Harry Boik, Natal Mounted Police Wed Jul 22, 2015 8:31 am
Hi, I've learned a lot so far from the good people who have taken the time to reply. Thank you very much. I look forward to anymore information members may be able to offer.
90th
Posts : 10051 Join date : 2009-04-07 Age : 64 Location : Melbourne, Australia
Subject: Re: Harry Boik, Natal Mounted Police Sat Jul 25, 2015 11:38 am
I see he re-enlisted in 1882 as number 595. Enlisted (Pietermaritzburg) 25.9.76. Trooper, Natal Mounted Police (No141). Zulu War 1879; service in Zululand. Discharged 6.10.79. Farmer of Imperlhle (Spelling?). Enlisted 3.8.82. Trooper, Natal Mounted Police (No595).
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