Durnford's in the Zulu War

In response to a question raised earlier, this may help, from my research and Durnford blogs.

There were three members of the Durnford family who served in the Zulu Wars.

1. Lieutenant Colonel Anthony William Durnford as featured earlier in the biography killed.

2. H Durnford [1]1st Battalion 13th Prince Albert's Light Infantry South Africa 1877-1879

The 1st Battalion saw active service in South Africa, fighting in the Ninth Xhosa War of 1878 and Anglo-Zulu War of 1879
H Durnford
Campaign or Service: South Africa
Service Date: 1877-1879
Service Location: South Africa
Regiment or Unit Name: 1st Battalion 13th Prince Albert's Light InfantryRegimental Number: 36/1461

Entering Zululand at Bemba's Kop

Commanded by Colonel Evelyn Wood VC
11th Battery, 7th Brigade RGA (less one section) Four 7-pounders and 2 Rocket troughs
1st Battalion 13th Prince Albert's Light Infantry
90th Light Infantry
Frontier Light Horse (4 Troops) Lieut-Col Redvers Buller
Baker's Horse (2 Troops) Capt W G Parminter
Boer Burghers (1 Troop) Piet Uys
2 Battalions, Wood's Irregulars (friendly Zulus)
3. James Durnford 99th Duke of Edinburgh's Regiment South Africa 1877-1879

No.1 Column
Entering Zululand at the Lower Drift
Commanded by Colonel C K Pearson


Naval Brigade (including Royal Marines) Two 7-pounders, two rocket tubes and a Gatling gun.
One section, 11th Battery, 7th Brigade Royal Garrison Artillery. (Two 7-pounders and one rocket trough)
2nd Field Company, Royal Engineers
2nd Battalion, 3rd (East Kent) Regiment (The Buffs)
99th (Duke of Edinburgh's) Regiment
One Troop Imperial Mounted Infantry (24th)
One Troop Natal Hussars. Captain Philip Norton
One Troop Durban Mounted Rifles. Captain William Shepstone
One Troop Alexandra Mounted Rifles. Captain W T Arbuthnot
One Troop Stanger and Victoria Mounted Rifles. Captain Charles Saner
(each Troop 40-50 strong)



1879 The First Zulu Wars

After serving in Ireland the 99th returned to South Africa in 1879 to take part in the Zulu war. The Battalion landed at Durban in January, 900 strong. Leaving two companies to garrison Durban and Stanger, the Regiment concentrated with the 1st Division on the Lower Tugela River at the Southern end of Zululand. Lord Chelmsford then invaded with three columns, his objective being the Royal Kraal at Ulundi.

Severe fighting followed, with the British better armed but outnumbered by 40,000 warriors of splendid physique, courage and discipline. The centre column under Lord Chelmsford was severely defeated on 22nd January at Isandhlwana and a detachment hard pressed in the defence of Rorke’s Drift. The left column with Colonel Evelyn Wood had to go on the defensive after the disaster in the centre, in case of a Zulu invasion of Natal.

Colonel Pearson on the right advanced with his column on Ekowe, a mission station about thirty-five miles North of the Lower Tugela. With him were Lieutenant Colonel Welman and two companies of the 99th, who acted as Advanced Guard as they crossed the Inyoni River on 19 January.

Three days later the Buffs heavily defeated a Zulu force on the Inyezane River, the 99th Detachment protecting the transport, and the column reached Ekowe after beating off an early morning attack, and started building a fort and other defences.

Colonel Pearson sent some of his force to Natal on the threat of Zulu invasion and his remaining 1,300 men now invested in Ekowe by a Zulu Army, who made no direct assault but prevented any access to the Garrison. The 99th’s Detachment were 400 strong and engaged in outpost duty, raids on Zulu Kraals for food, and skirmishes

After the disaster of Isandhlwana reinforcements poured out from England, and Lord Chelmsford collected 6,000 men, including the remainder of the 99th. In the middle of March communications with Ekowe was established by heliograph. On 02 April a 10,000 Zulu assault was repulsed mainly due to the casualties caused by rifle and gatling fire. In July, Lord Chelmsford defeated nearly 15,000 Zulus near Ulundi, the 99th engaged on Garrison and escort duties.

H. Durnford S/N 1461 13th Foot Somerset Light Infantry served in Zulu War and was awarded the South Africa Medal

J. Durnford S/N 1179 99th Foot Lanarkshire Regiment served in Zulu War and was awarded the South Africa Medal

Isaac James Durnford No 4177 from Somerset, joined the Commissariat Transport Corps at Aldershot May 1882

Records 1894 James Durnford served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment S/N 6348

There is a record in 1898 for James Durnford born 1859 from Brighton S/N 7735 from 3rd Royal Sussex Regiment, S/N 7735, seems like the same person.




Durnfords in the Boer War

Records show 3 Durnfords served in the Boer War, but only one can be identified.

· Private Harry Durnford 25078 Unit 53 (East Kent) Company 11 Battalion Imperial Yeomanry
· M. Durnford 2198 Johannesburg Mounted Rifles
· Sergeant T. H. Durnford 4766 Unit 1 Battalion of King's Royal Rifle.

Have you seen this link Krish? Might be of some use in your research and you might be able to say if he was in the AZW or not.

https://www.1879zuluwar.com/t11637-albert-durnford-99th-regiment?highlight=durnford

Kate

gardner1879 wrote:

Have you seen this link Krish? Might be of some use in your research and you might be able to say if he was in the AZW or not.

https://www.1879zuluwar.com/t11637-albert-durnford-99th-regiment?highlight=durnford

Kate

Alfred born 1860 died in 1950, was actually Alfred Dunford. Son of James Dunford and Elizabeth. Through history, our surname of Durnford has had many different spellings. It does not apppear that Alfred served im the Zulu War, and the only Durnford who did is only known as J. I have a very extensive Durnford tree, but working out who J was is impossible. Many with surname Dunford served in Boer War, but the only Durnfords are those I listed. Kris