Charles Samuel Shepherd Frontier Light Horse

I was wondering if someone could help me out on a bit of a conundrum I’ve had for some years now. I have two medals to two quite different men, BOTH with the same surname, SHEPHERD; both medals were purchased from the same individual, at the same time and judging by the matching condition and dark toning, have always been together. They were originally purchased by Jack Webb (Abu Klea book fame) outside Johnston Mathey, London (precious metal dealers) from a man queuing to scrap them for cash during the Bunker-Hunt ‘silver rush’. Jack was offering a pound for any silver medal!!
Anyway, his name is CAPTAIN CHARLES SAMUEL SHEPHERD South African Light Horse; Queen’s South Africa Medal 1898-1902 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Laings Nek, Belfast.
Died 22nd July 1901 (Enteric Fever) – Springfontein. Aged 43.
I have an account of the doings of the SALH with a couple of mentions of Shepherd, particularly at SALH taking Bastion Hill.
However, I have recently been informed that he may well be mentioned in a book by Cameron Simpson ‘Frontier Light Horse in the Zulu War 1879’. I’ve tried to buy, borrow or steal a copy but to no avail. If any forumer has a copy or Cameron himself could enlighten me as to whether Charles Sheperd was with the FLH and in what capacity, Trooper, NCO, officer – he would have been abouy 20 or so.
Thanks in anticipation

Les Nicoll.

PS…The other Shepherd (cousin, nephew?) is.
LIEUTENANT RICHARD EDMUND SHEPHERD, Mid. 3rd Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Mounted Infantry Company - QSA clasps, Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Driefontein, Paardeberg, Relief of Kimberly.(Also entitled to clasp ‘South Africa 1901’) –
Mentioned in Despatches L.G.. 2nd April 1901.
Killed in action 31st October 1901 - Brakenlaagte (Aged 26) (The Boer destruction of Lt. Col. Benson’s Column - 20 miles North-West of Bethel.

Hi Drakewood

The best place to contact Cameron Simpson is on Facebook, he frequents Ian Knight's Anglo Zulu War History Group on FaceBook.

Good Luck.

Hi Drakewood,
C S Shepherd on his probate it gives his address as Bury St, St James London, you give his age as 43, giving a birth date of 1858, on the 1861 census, born Rochester Kent, father William.
Rai Keynshamlighthorse.

Hi Drakewood
From Cam Simpson's book ... Born Kent England 1859 , resided Bury street , St James , Middlesex ; Travelled to SA with several Militia officers and joined the FLH 13/10/78 , Trooper , FLH ( No 240 ) .No active service recorded although he stated that he served as a Lt in the FLH in the First Anglo - BaPdedi War 78 , Discharged 23/12/78 ; Lt 1st / 3rd NNC 17/12/78 ( Date overlap ) ; AZW 1879 ; Lt 1st Batt NNC ; He stated he was present at Ondini / Ulundi 4/7/79 , Discharged Oct 79 . On 10/11/79 from the Royal Hotel Pietermaritzburg he requested a Cape Colonial appointment stating he had served in the Sekukuni campaign , then with Chelmsford's column and finally under Capt C.E.Le M. Cherry until the end iof the zulu war ; Cmdt R.L.Londsale wrote ...
'' Mr Shepherd served in the 3rd Regt NNC as Lt from Jan - June 79 having been transferred from the FLH from the Officer commanding which ( Col Buller VC CB ADC ) he brought strong recommendations . His conduct in the performance of his duties was all that could be desired , it being marked by zeal and intelligence '' .
90th

Hi 90th
Thanks for all reponses to this topic but in particular. thanks once again to 90th for your generous shaaring of information. I doubt you’ll remember but you were previously very helpful with your imput into a couple of my previous enquiries viz Lieutenant Strong 90th Regt. MID for Kambula and later KIA as a Major at Spion Kop and Capt. James Faunce Lonsdale NNC KIA Ishandlwana
I’m aware that the item you posted on the Capt. C.S. Shepherd FLH and SALH is from Cam Simpkins book and most enlightening but it’s more the fact that you have taken the trouble to respond to my post, copy the item and post it, is most appreciated.
I always thought there was some back history to the man and I’ve made many enquiries to try and deternin it – now all in a flash, its there!!
Sadly, I don’t have his Zulu medal and it would be interesting to know if its named as Trooper or Lieutenant. When I track it down I’ll let you know.
Thanks again

Les Nicoll

Drakewood,

Not saying that this is your man with any certainty, but the photograph came with a number of known Zulu War officers.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
C. S. Shepherd.
(John Young Collection)

JY

Hi John,
Could also be Charles Sinclair Shepherd 2/4th Zulu War.
Rai Keynshamlighthorse.

Hello Rai,

I did think of that, but ruled him out as he was Shephard, rather than Shepherd.

JY

Hi John,
I think your wrong me old mate, i have him down as shepherd, i looked on the British Newspaper site and they have him as Shepherd on every posting, i do have a picture of his grave i will try and find.
Rai

Rai,

Happy to be corrected, however, his service record at The National Archives has the spelling as Shephard.  Also see WO 76/119, which has been digitalised and the preview shows it as Shephard.

All but one entry in The London Gazette that I can find record the same spelling, including his probate entry.  

I don’t have the D.S.O. Volume of The Distinguished Service Order, 1886-1923: A Complete Record of the Recipients of the Distinguished Service Order, 1886-1923… so I don’t know if a photograph accompanies Shephard’s entry that we could make a comparison with.

But as I say I am happy to be corrected.

JY

Hi John,
I owe you an Apology me old mate, it is Shepard, plaque Osmington Weymouth Dorset. Sorry John.

Rai Keynshamlighthorse.

Rai,

No worries.  I have just found a photograph of Shephard on the King’s Own Museum website it is on the link [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] listed as Accession No. KOO883/05e.

Or can be found listed as Officers etc circa 1864-1876, King’s Own Royal Regiment.

Now to search my previously unidentified 4th Officers!

JY

Hello John,
Fabulous surprise when I opened your post re Charles SAMUEL Sherherd (with an E) and signed as a
bonus. I imagine its circa 1878/9 which would tie-in with the youthful appearance of the sitter.. I think you've put to bed the alternative suggestion of Shephard (with an A) and am more than happy to encompas the photograph into my file on what has always been my mystery man. Great stuff - it's made my day

Thanks

Les Nicoll

Hello Les,

This is reverse of the carte-de-visite:

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

As you can see the photographer was based in Dover, Kent.  I did some checking on Grossman and discovered he was the child of Hungarian refugee parents.  He served in Rifle Brigade, prior to taking up photography for a living in Dover.  His Dover studio was established in 1867 and continued until 1901.  Apparently Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught encouraged Grossman in his career path, hence his Royal Patronage.

In my opinion the photograph itself is consistent with a late 1870’s/an early 1880’s image, which would obvious be in the right time-frame for it to be C. S. Shepherd at the time.

JY

Hello John
Thanks for posting the reverse of the CDV of Shepherd, which indicates that from Rochester (where he lived) to Dover (Grossman photographer) is a mere 9 miles – possibly nearest photographic facility or HQ for Kent Militia?
Anyway, from the looks of the actual portrait its reasonable to assume it was taken just prior to his departure for S.A. and assimilating the facts and conjectures, it again seems reasonable to suggest he was, like his fellow voyagers, a young Militia officer (eg quickly promoted Lieutenant in FLH).
I’ve checked out Grossman (R.B. Century) and he was never of officer rank so its curious as to his connection with Connaught.
Now all I have to do is find his Zulu medal and make a nice family group.
Again, thanks for your help John, It’s much appreciated.

PS I don’t know if your area of expertise extends to the 1st Boer War but I have a few interesting items (all Zulu medals) that you may wish to run the rule over at a later date - Garrett, Wilkinson both 6oth both at Ginginhlovo, both KIA Ingogo; Mc Gregor RE Mid Sekukuni’s Kraal); Mid Laings Nek; Mid Ingogo - KIA Ingogo; Pte J. Green, 7 Coy.,ASC killed in Brownlow’s Composit Mounted Squadron charge at Laings Nek

Les Nicoll

Les,

Funny you should ask that question I was just scanning some 1st Boer War photographs to a friend in Northern Ireland.

I have a copy of William Samuel Clark’s published account of Brownlow’s charge at Laing’s Nek, I don’t know if you have seen that?

JY

John
Must confess, I’m unaware of William Samuel Clark’s account of Browlows Charge at Laings Nek but I imagine it’s quite detailed and I further imagine it makes my ‘write-up’ concerning Private John Green ,No 7 Company, Army Service Corps, attached Major Brownlow’s Composite Mounted Squadron, Natal Field Force, appear somewhat inadequate.
As I understand it, Green was one of only four men actually killed in the charge – I always thought that the number would be higher.
If Green does gets a mention in the book it will hopefully confirm my opinion that he was killed in the charge itself and not as some ASC bystander.
Ever hopeful

Les Nicoll.

Thanks to all concerned with their assistance concerning the involvement of Captain Charles Samuel Shepherd in the Zulu War, the outcome of which has been quite enlightening – especially a signed CDV of the young man from John Young.
In truth, although my interest in the man (I have his QSA medal) has been ongoing for many years, the story revealed leaves me with mixed feelings.
I’m happy to have his Zulu history unravelled but disappointed that he was only with the FLH a couple of months. only participating in the ill fated First Anglo - BaPdedi War in 1878 (Chief Sekhukhuni) ending in Nov. 1878 and as such was not engaged with the FLH in their epic struggles, Hlobane Mountain, Devil’s Pass, Kambula, Sekhukhuni’s Stronghold and Ulundi. Instead he chose the NNC – maybe the pay was better or maybe it was where he gained his Lieutenancy?
Maybe it’s my negative impression of the NNC – OK for chasing Zulus after they’d been routed eg Kambula, Ginginhlovo. Ulundi but pretty useless when it came to confronting them, eg Isandhlwana – I have the Zulu medal to Captain James Faunce Lonsdale, killed whilst Commanding No. 9 Coy, 1st/3rd Regiment Natal Native Contingent at Isandhlwana and their near instant collapse exposing the line leaves me with a somewhat jaundiced view concerning them.
I imagine I’ll get slated for that from the NNC enthusiasts!

Les Nicoll

Hi Drakewood ( Les )
Just glad I was of some help .
90th