South Africa medal with 1879 bar

Posts : 3 Join date : 2023-07-06

Hi. Can anyone help in pointing me in the right direction to research the following medal.
South Africa medal with 1879 bar awarded to Private J Devlin, 88th Foot with ribbon.
What was his service record and what campaigns did he take part in.
Thanks Nigel

Posts : 3463 Join date : 2021-01-04

Hi Nigel welcome to the forum.
The 88th (Connaught Rangers) Regiment went out to the Cape in 1877 and served in the Kaffir War of 1877-78 and in the Zulu war in 1879. They left SA in October 1879 and went on to India in 1880 and returned home in 1891. Off the top of my head I think they were based at Fort Napier.

This link might be helpful for you
https://www.1879zuluwar.com/t7542-connaught-rangers?highlight=connaught

If you put in the word Connaught in the search box on the left it will also bring up details of soldiers and officers who served in the Regiment.
Kate Very Happy

Posts : 3 Join date : 2023-07-06

Hi Kate

Many thanks for your informative reply.
I will carry on researching to try to find out a bit more of the gentleman.
regards
Nigel

Posts : 366 Join date : 2017-02-05 Location : Texas, U.S.A.

ninorth,

#95 James Devlin, Pte. of the 88th Regiment did served in Natal and Zululand during the Zulu War, but I did not find a record of which company he belonged to. I do know that when the regiment was sent to Cape Town in September 1879, at the end of the was, James Devin was tried by courts-martial for “being drunk on parade” and after being found guilty was given a sentence of 168 days hard labour and fined £1. 84 days of the sentence were later remitted. (The poor lad was only maintaining the regiment’s tradition of being a hard drinking group.)

There is a lot of information on the 88th during the 9th Cape Frontier Wars and the Zulu War in “The Connaught Rangers” by Graham Alexander at the following link.

https://www.anglozuluwar.com/images/Journal_18/The_Connaught_Rangers.pdf

I hope this helps answers your question about what campaigns he may have been involved.

Tom

Posts : 3 Join date : 2023-07-06

Hi Tom.
Many thanks for your research, it is much appreciated and fascinating.
Out of interest, how did you find out the information provided if that is not giving anything away.
Kind regards
Nigel

Posts : 366 Join date : 2017-02-05 Location : Texas, U.S.A.

Nigel,

I have sent you a message by pm

Tom

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