South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8-9 (4389 Fr. Sergt. S. Smith. O/2. Bde. R.A.)

Posts : 4 Join date : 2024-07-03

This medal is unique to O Battery 2 Brigade being the sole recipiant. I cannot find his papers so know little or nothing of where he served in the Cape.
He joined the RA 7th Dec. '73 having just served one month's hard labour for stealing a silver watch from his landlady and was discharged 12th Dec.'85.
His medal roll shows he was in action against the Galekas and Gaikas and other tribes in 1877-8 and against Zulus and Sekukini(sic) 1879.

The question is what battery or brigade did he serve with? I lean towards N/5 but I have little knowledge of the campaign.

He joined the Royal Navy in 1886 serving for many years on HMS Royalist which conducted a series of Blue Jacket retributional operations through the Western Pacific Territories in what was euphemistically known as Commodore Justice under the infamous Captain Meggs Davis a man of ferocious temperament.

Any help would be appreciated guys

Paul Hellier

I've never come across him in any of N/5's papers.

Actually there were two medals awarded to O/2 Bgde , your man Smith entitled to the Clasp 1879 , the other ( they were both Farrier Sgts ) , 2099 James Mc A entitled to the Clasp 1877-78-79 .
90th Salute

Posts : 4 Join date : 2024-07-03

Julian Whybra wrote:: I've never come across him in any of N/5's papers.

Hi Julian I forgot to add that his full name is Selah Smith with clasp 1877-8-9. Do you think he could have volunteered for duty in S.A. with N/5 but had his medal named to his home battery?

Posts : 4 Join date : 2024-07-03

90th wrote:: Actually there were two medals awarded to O/2 Bgde , your man Smith entitled to the Clasp 1879 , the other ( they were both Farrier Sgts ) , 2099 James Mc A entitled to the Clasp 1877-78-79 .
90th

Hi 90th You are correct but there is another medal roll (Appendix to G.O 103) in which it shows Selah Smith as entitled to 1877-8 being in action agained the Galekas and Gaikas and other tribes and 1879 being engaged against the Zulus. He is the only name on the roll and his medal reflects these events. Signed 22nd June 1881 at Devonport
I further note from your observed Roll that O/2 had 1879 clasp medals to Lt-Col Brown Tatton and Capt. Alleyne and a no clasp to Gunner Private J Brown although the last man may have been with 7/1 unless that is a date. I struggle with my 82 year old eyes.
From this info who do you think Smith may have been attached to? Much appreciate any help. Paul

paulhellier
Bill and I have been researching a complete roll of both squadrons of the Imperial Mounted Infantry with a view to publishing it soon (!) Your man was a member of this unit.
4389 Shoeing-Smith Selah Smith, O/2 R.A.
To Pay I.M.I. 25.9.1878; served with the 2nd Squadron, Imperial Mounted Infantry and remained with them throughout the Zulu War; promoted to Farrier-Sergeant & later reduced to Shoeing-Smith within this period of service (precise dates of promotion unknown and reason for reduction not stated).
Being a bit of a hotchpotch creation, the I.M.I. took specialists from wherever they could whenever.
I hope this answers your question.

Hi Paul
Your comment here .
I further note from your observed Roll that O/2 had 1879 clasp medals to Lt-Col Brown Tatton and Capt. Alleyne and a no clasp to Gunner Private J Brown although the last man may have been with 7/1 unless that is a date. I struggle with my 82 year old eyes.
From this info who do you think Smith may have been attached to? Much appreciate any help. Paul

I see in the Dutton Rolls these chaps are listed under the 'Royal Horse Artillery ' not O / 2 Bgde . In Dutton O/2 Bgde has the same two men mentioned Smith and James , as they were mentioned in the Forsythe Roll I initially posted , I see Julian has found where your man was serving .
90th Salute

Posts : 4 Join date : 2024-07-03

Gentlemen Julian and 90th.
Many thanks indeed for all your help and much appreciated. Smith's demotion comes as no surprise as his Navy record shows a similar pattern of service. Again many thanks. Paul

Posts : 1085 Join date : 2009-10-16

Hi All,
Not in any order, Census 1881 RA Barracks Woolwich, Shoe Smith B.1857 Allsense Northamptonshire,Birth record march qtr 1857 Hardingstone Northants, census 1861, priory of St Andrew Northampton father Thomas Shoemaker, mother mary one of 3 kids age 4, census 1871, All Saints Northampton at fathers he wheelwright out of employment age 14 he born Gitteryton Northants, census 1901 crew HMS Tamar Devonport, Rank Blk Mate [blacksmith?] now married. census 1911 Bedwelty monmouthshire he Labourer above ground [mining], married to Elizabeth A [she b.1864 milford Haven] grandson Selah Henry born Devonport.
Our Selah Dies March Qtr 1930 age 72 Bedwelty District.
Only military record Attested 6 Dec 1873, discharged 5 Dec 1885, no.13213 Shoe Smith time expired.
1910 living at a Mrs Cohen's Devonport Plymouth. Census 1921 he is a widow with grandson in Bedwelty District. His grandson Selah Henry was born 7 Nov 1901 Devonport baptised at St Mark's Ford Plymouth, Fathers name Henry[this would be our Selah's son] he is RN Artificer.
The grandson dies June qtr 1952 Pontypool District.
It is likely a relative Joseph Selah Smith was born in 1999 in Newport Monmouthshire District.
Rai KLH

» 50/799 Pte. W. Walker. 57th Foot SOUTH AFRICA 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879
» South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (1804. Pte. A. Fegan. 2-21st Foot.)
» South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (2441 Pte. J. Phelan. 94th Foot.)