Slightly off-topic: Xhosa Wars

Posts : 26 Join date : 2015-09-17

My question is slightly off-topic, for which I apologise.

I'm trying to learn more about the 6th Regiment of Foot (Warwickshires) who were at King William's Town, South Africa in 1853.

Specifically, Joseph & Mary Gorey. Joseph Gorey's occupation is listed as Private, 6th Regiment. I understand some men were allowed to bring their family to South Africa with them (something which was decided by ballot).

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Any advice on how I might learn more about them?

Kind Regards,
AnorakABO

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Hi

2038 Private Joseph Gorry (note spelling) appears on the South Africa medal (1834-53) roll for the 6th Foot showing service in 1851, 52 and 53. He was discharged in 1857. There is a note which says "medal prepared waiting answer to letter" - however it does not appear to have been issued. You might be interested in two new volumes just published by Col. Mike Snook called "Cape Warriors Vol 1 and 2". They are about the Xhosa Wars. I cannot vouch for the content as I haven't seen them yet, but if his previous works on the Zulu War and Egypt are anything to go by they should be pretty comprehensive and a good read.
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Good luck

Steve

Posts : 26 Join date : 2015-09-17

Hi Steve,

That's great, thank you. I'll see if I can get my hands on Col. Mike Snook's publication.

Just out of curiosity, is it unlikely that the address the letter was addressed to could have survived?

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Very unlikely indeed I am afraid. I can see no sign of his service papers and that's about the only other place you might find an address. It is a good old Irish name and the 6th apparently had a goodly number of Irishmen (but then so did every other regiment!).

The link you provided to his daughters LDS baptismal record is very useful though. Firstly, it is largely military baptisms which is interesting. And if you click on the reference levels at the top you can get back into a full list of South African parish records - might be a little research gold mine.

Steve

Posts : 26 Join date : 2015-09-17

I did find a William Joseph Gory and Janet Mary Gory née Wiley in Uitenhage, about 250kms north of King William's Town in the 1870s. I have no reason to assume it's the same family though. The search continues!

Posts : 26 Join date : 2015-09-17

Apologies for resurrecting an old thread but this is definitely the gentleman I'm looking for! Thank you rusteze.

Joseph Gorry b.c. 1824. He married 1849 in Clogheen, Tipperary, Ireland to Mary Cavanagh. Moved to South Africa and served 1851, 1852, 1853, discharged 1857 from the 6th (Royal 1st Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot. Joseph's father was William Gorry, Farmer of Isle of Man and Mary's father was William Cavanagh of Fermoy, Tailor.

So far I have found two children of Joseph and Mary Gorry née Cavanagh:
1. Elizabeth Margaret Gorry ~20/03/1853 Holy Trinity, King William’s Town
2. Henry John Gorry ~05/03/1856 St George Cathedral, Grahamstown

I have found what may be a record of Joseph Gorry's death at the Itsayam Trading Station near Butterworth, Cape Colony. He is said to be crippled widower, living with the owner of the trading station, Charles Peter Wright, at the time of his death.

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