Help with Naval Brigade Volunteers

In 1879 two members of the London Brigade, Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers served with the Naval Brigade landed ashore for the Zulu War. These men appear on the Medal Roll for HMS Boadicea as Jennings, R.V., “Volunteer A.B. (London Arty. Volunteer)” and Ogilvie, P.A. “Vol. A.B. (London Artillery).”

R.V. Jennings was a member of the London Bicycle Club who occasionally travelled from Natal to London and participated in bicycle races. In the club’s monthly gazette Jennings was mentioned as being a member of the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers.

I think the first of these gentlemen was Reginald Vaughan Jennings, born 1858 at St. Johns Wood, Middlesex to Nathaniel and Kate Jennings. He was businessman from Durban who had an office in the Barberton Stock Exchange building. In Jan 1893 he became a member of the Duguza Lodge of Freemason in Stanger, Natal. On September 23, 1896 Mr. Reginald V. Jennings of Highover, Ixopo, Natal, son of the late Rev. N. Jennings of Hampstead, died at Richmond, Natal. His widow was Margaret Jennings.

The second, I believe to be Patrick Alexander Ogilvie, born in Egypt to John Forbes and Anna Gemmel Ogilvie. He was attending Chilton College in 1871. He was married to Margaret Thompson in 1889. During the Boer War (199-1902) was a Lieutenant Patrick Alexander Ogilvie with Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry. He resigned from the unit on May 7, 1901. His wife, Margaret died at New Castle on May 22, 1901. Patrick Alexander Ogilvie died in 1935.

Hopefully one or more of our South Africa members might be able verify their identities. When did they volunteer to serve with the Naval Brigade?

Petty Officer Tom