T. Roberts was indeed in the Royal Navy, and did serve in the Zulu War. Thomas Roberts was born 8 April, 1860 in St. Mary’s, Nottingham. He entered the Royal Navy in 1876 as a Boy 2nd Class, official number 97613, aboard HMS Impregnable where he remained until 1878 when, as an Ordinary 2nd Class he was transferred to the “Royal Adelaide for a couple of weeks, and then to HMS Liffey, a frigate serving as store ship at Coquimbo, Chile, for the Pacific Station. In November, 1878 he was transferred to HNS Shah for transport back to England. On the return voyage “Shah” was diverted to South Africa for the Zulu War, where Roberts served as part of the Naval Brigade, for which he received the South Africa Medal with “187” clasp. After returning to England Roberts was sent back to “Royal Adelaide” for 2 months, before being sent to HMS Cambridge n 1880. In March, 1882 he served aboard the “Royal Adelaide,” “Swiftsure,” “Royal Adelaide” and “Northumberland” before being transferred to HMS Superb in June, 1882. While aboard the “Superb” he was at the bombardment of Alexandria in the Egyptian War, for which he received the Egypt Medal with “Alexandria” clasp and the Khedive’s Star. After a short period of time aboard HMS Cruiser in 1883, Roberts returned to the “Alexandria” where he was promoted to Able Seaman in September, 1883. HMS Alexandria would be the last ship he served aboard. In March, 1884 he was sent was to back to England from Malta, and invalided out of the service on 4 April 1884.
Tom
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