23rd Regiment of Foot (Royal Welsh Fuzileers) - Zulu War?

I don't think they were, but can anyone prove me wrong?

Otherwise, was it possible that someone from the 23rd might be attached to a command in the Zulu War? E.g. a signals officer?

Also, who were the superintendents of the military telegraph, presumably in Natal, during the Zulu War?

In particular I'm looking for record of service in the Zulu War of a Lt. Ernest Riddle Evans (1851-1891)

Mac & Shad p. 309. Evans proceeded to the Cape with drafts and served in the Field Force in the later stages of the war.

Julian Whybra wrote:

Mac & Shad p. 309.  Evans proceeded to the Cape with drafts and served in the Field Force in the later stages of the war.

So LT. Ernest Riddle Evans? What does drafts mean?

Any other info? I gather he was from the 23rd Foot, so I assume to was attached, as the 23rd AFAIK did not server as a unit in the Zulu War?

Do you have the reference title?

Thanks

Peter

ah...The South African Campaign of 1879
Mackinnon, J. P.; Shadbolt, S. H.

Evans, Lieut. E. R. 23rd Foot.
No-one else from the 23rd served. in the ZW.
Drafts from other regiments were sent out from England to S. Africa to make good the losses suffered by the loss of the 24th at Isandhlwana. They arrived from March onwards.
Yes he would have been attached. Have you looked in Hart's Army List for any further info?
The reference is from Mackinnon, J. P., and Shadbolt, S., The South African Campaign 1879, (London 1880), p. 309.

Fantastic! Just found him in Hart's 1879 under the 23rd.

Like to have more info on him in the Zulu War though if it's possible. Apparent he was a superintendent of the military telegraph during that war.

Peter
I believe then he would have served with C Telegraph Troop Royal Engineers.
Looking at the Pay Lists and Muster Rolls of that corps in the National Archives will show any officers attached and dates of service/location.
Pages 328-9 of Mac & Shad show other officers of that corps and the telegraph sections which they commanded.

Great thanks for the info. A lot of help.

Peter

I'm not sure whether it might be of use but the Royal Signals Museum houses a display and records relating to RE Telegraphs. It's at Blandford Camp, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11 8RH, open M-F 10-5.
01258 482683 is the number I have for it. It might be worth giving them a ring to see whether it could help.
It might also be worth looking at Evans's subsequent career in later Army Lists to see whether he exchanged at some point.

Thanks. I know he was posted to India in 1880. Just his Zulu experience I did not know in any detail.

BTW, I'm in Western Australia...

Peter

You could always google them and e-mail any questions.

PeterBrowne,

From Hart’s 1885 - original spelling & punctuation retained:
Captain Evans served as Signal Officer in the Zulu war in 1879 (Medal with Clasp.) Served in the Boer war 1881.

Promoted to Captain 24th December, 1881.

Hart’s 1885 has him attending the Staff College, Camberley.

JY

Hi All 

The Imperial War museum lists the following:

Plaque
ER Evans (War Memorial Record 31133) Wrexham, Clwyd, Wales. Commemoration 1800-1899.

St Giles church Wrexham,
No photo

Hi All 

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ER Evans 1851 - 1891 entered service on the 28th February 1874 as Sub Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion 23rd foot(Royal Welsh Fusiliers) and was immediately promoted the full Lieutenant.
Initially serving in Ireland, in May 1879 he embarked for South Africa, serving in the Zulu wars as a signals officer and superintendent of military telegraph, fighting in battles against insurgent chief Sekukuni, gaining the QSA medal and clasp. Returning home in 1880, he almost straight away was sent to India, and marched with the regiment to Chakra (where he was promoted Captain), then onto Dum - Dum, returning to the depot in 1883.

On completion of his 'tour' in 1885, he joined Staff at Sandhurst, gaining the title Major.
Reposted to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1886, he returned to India and subsequently Burma where he took part in the late stages of the 1886-87 campaign, including the expedition to Wunto and the Mawlu Affair, gaining the India medal and clasp.
Again returning to India in March 1887, he went to Lucknow with the regiment, then onto Peshawar. Finally, in the spring of 1891 he accompanied the 1st battalion on service against the tribes of the Black mountain in Hazara, succumbing to Pneumonia at Palosi on 5th April 1891.

Well found, Eddie. You'll make Peter a very happy man.

Hi Julian 

Thank you. I have ammended my post 12:13 pm to include the church where the Memorial is situated.

'' Gaining the QSA with Clasp '' , he had passed away before the 2nd Boer War ! , should read SAGS Medal with Clasp .
90th

Julian Whybra wrote:

Well found, Eddie.  You'll make Peter a very happy man.

That was the reason for asking in the first place..shoosh, don't tell anyone...

90th wrote:

'' Gaining the QSA with Clasp '' , he had passed away before the 2nd Boer War ! , should read SAGS Medal with Clasp .
90th

Yes, I told them wrong medal

Peterbrown.

90th