2359 Pte John Hughes 4th Regiment

Does anybody have any information on 2359 Pte John Hughes, A Company 2/4th Regiment?

Would appreciate any help.

Regards,

Tim

Confirmed on medal roll SAGS and 1879 bar. Nothing else. Do you have any clues?

Steve

Hello Steve,

I've had some indirect contact with a descendant who has a letter written from him to his parents in Llandinam, mid Wales, in April 1879 whilst in Utrecht.

Just wondered whether anyone has any further service details eg when he was discharged etc?

I can't see his name listed on the Utrecht cemetery memorial where a handful of 4th Regt men were buried so I'm assuming he survived the campaign. He doesn't appear to be buried in Llandinam churchyard with other members of his family either.

Regards,

Tim

Tricky, there are a number of Hughes households in Llandinam in 1881.

Steve

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Thanks Graves,

As ever, a mine of information!

Regards,

Tim

Well done Graves, his attestation to the 41st with a different number had me foxed. Interesting to see he was with the South Wales Borderers Militia before that - an earlier use of the title subsequently allocated to the 24th. I think Private Hughes final resting place is still going to prove a little tricky to find though! Good luck Tim. Any chance, do you think, that we might get to see the letter?

Steve

Steve,

I'm sure it won't be a problem, just waiting to ask permission from the descendant who I believe lives in the states.

Regards,

Tim

1879graves wrote:

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Graves. Your post Record service dated June 1877

They wasn't known as the South Wales Borderers until the Childers Reforms of 1881

Or am I mistaken

Hi Littlehand

He was in the Royal South Wales Borderers Militia, before joining up with the regulars.

April 9th 1879
Cape of Good Hope
South Africa

Dear Father and Mother,

I take great pleasure in writing another letter to you hoping that they will find you all in good health as I am quite well at present. It is very hard out here now and will be as long as this war is on but as far as I can see it will all be over in another two or three months.

I dare say that you have heard of the massacre of the 24th Regt, there was another occurred here on the 24th March when a part of the 80th Regt were going along the road the Zulus pounced on them unaware, only 40 men escaped and the remainder of them were killed , about 103 were killed the number of Zulus that attacked them was 9000 they attacked us and Colonel Woods column consisting of the 4th, 13th, 80th and 90th Regts and one battery of Artillery they were about 1500 hundred strong but we managed to kill 1200 thousand of them.

I had a very near chance, a bullet went right between my legs but it never touched me. All the Regts that left England landed here safe and I can assure you that we will be glad to see you I have not had a quiet sleep since the 23rd day of January. We sleep out in the open air every night with two blankets and a waterproof sheet.

I have no more particular news to tell you at present please remember me to all inquiring friends and all the children. Please write back by the next mail and let me know how you are getting on , try and keep two letters on the road because it takes 10 weeks to get a letter here from England. So no more at present.

From your son
Pte J Hughes
No 2359 a Company
2/4 Kings Own Regt
Utrecht Transvaal
South African Campaign

Please excuse the bad writing because I have to write this on the ground.


(Scans of the original letter to follow, courtesy of a family descendant)

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Photo's by Tim Needham