Devon Connection.

Sir BCP started this thread on another forum and as he has now joined this forum, I would like to post my findings so others can help aswell.

Sir BCP asked
"I am researching the Devon connections with the 1879 Anglo Zulu War.
Re the People, directly or indirectly involved, I am using Born, Died or Buried in Devon, to qualify as a Devon connection. "

I posted the following list on the other forum

1. 2nd Corporal Francis Attwood, Army Service Corps – Buried Plymouth, Devon
2. Boatswain John Richard Baker, HMS Euphrates – Born Devonport, Devon
3. Lieutenant Colonel William Clare Ball CB, Army Pay Department – Buried Unmarked grave, Chudleigh Cemetery, Chudleigh, Devon.
4. Private Henry Bittle, Army Service Corps – Born Kenton, Nr Exeter, Devon
5. Captain Hon John Pleydell Bouverie, 17th Lancers – Buried Sidmouth Cemetery, Devon.
6. Sergeant J W Bowers, 60th Rifles – Buried Lynton Cemetery, Devon
7. Colonel Sir Redvers Henry Buller, 60th Rifles – Buried Crediton, Devon
8. Lieutenant Jahleel Brenton Carey, 98th Regiment – Memorial churchyard at Upper Brixham, Devon
9. Lieutenant John Rouse Merriott Chard, Royal Engineers – Born Boxhill, Plymouth Devon.
10. Major General Sir Henry Hugh Clifford, Staff – Buried Ugbrooke House, near Chudleigh, Devon & Memorial Buckfast Abbey, Devon.
11. Lieutenant Commeline Charles Ernest Commeline, Royal Engineers – Wife’s Grave mentions him, Chudleigh Cemetery, Chudleigh, Devon. ??
12. Lieutenant Edward Reginald Courtenay, 20th Hussars – Buried Churchyard, Powderham, near Exeter, Devon.
13. Major General Henry Hope Crealock, Staff – Buried, Littleham Churchyard near Bideford, Devon, and Memorials in the Chruch.
14. Bevert Lieutenant-Colonel John North Crealock, 95th Regiment – Buried Littleham Churchyard near Bideford, Devon
15. Chief Carpenters Mate Richard Deacon, HMS Shah – Born Stoke Damerel, Devonport, Devon.
16. Captain Henry Percy Douglas-Willan, 1st Dragoon Guards, Buried Bampton, Devon.
17. Private J Down, 1-24th Foot – Born in the Parish of North Lew, near Okehampton, Devon.
18. Captain William Hunter Evans, 13th Regiment – Buried Chagford Parish Churchyard, Devon.
19. Private Francis Force, 24th Regiment – Lived Bradwell, Devon.
20. Lieutenant Hon Lionel Henry Dudley Fortescue, 17th Lancers - Buried Filleigh Parish Churchyard, Devon.
21. Civil Surgeon Doctor ,George Michael James Giles, Army Medical Department – Buried Plymouth, Devon.
22. Lieutenant Smith Hannington Gardner, 88th Regiment – Buried Kilmington Parish Churchyard, Devon.
23. 2nd Lieutenant John Stevens Guille, 99th Regiment – Born Exeter & Memorial Plaque to him in Little Torrington Parish Church, Devon.
24. Surgeon Arthur Hardine, Army Medical Department – Buried Paignton, Devon.
25. Brevet Colonel Richard Harrison, Royal Engineers – Buried Churchyard, Higher Ashton & Memorial Rochester Cathedral.
26. Surgeon Major Edmund Baron Hartley VC, Medical Colonial Forces – Born Ivybridge, Devon.
27. Brevet Major Charles Lacon Harvey, 71st Regiment – Buried Littleham Churchyard Nr Exmouth, Devon.
28. Sub Lieutenant George Hayley Hewett, HMS Shah – Buried Abbotsham Parish Churchyard, Devon.
29. Lieutenant Edward Thomas Henry Hutton, 60th Rifles – Born Torquay, Devon.
30. Captain James Fencott James, 13th Regiment - Died at Raglan Barracks, Devonport, Devon and Buried in Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon.
31. Lieutenant Edward Plantagenet Kemeys-Tynte, Royal Glamorgan Militia – Buried Dawlish Cemetery, Devon.
32. Surgeon Major Philip Lefeuvre Kilroy, Army Medical Department – Born Plymouth, Devon.
33. Private George Lee, 24th Regiment – Born Higher Cator, Widecombe, Devon.
34. Chaplain Revd Nisbett Baggallay Lodge BA, HMS Shah – Buried Paignton Cemetery, Devon.
35. Staff Surgeon of the Fleet William Digby Longfield, HMS Tenedos – Died Plymouth & Buried Efford Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon.
36. Trooper Henry (Harry) Lugg, Natal Mounted Police – Born Okehampton, Devon.
37. Quarter Master Sergeant Samuel John Miller, 57th Regiment – Buried Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon.
38. Lieutenant Herbert Cecil Money, Royal Marines – HMS Bodicea – Buried Littleham Churchyard Nr Exmouth, Devon.
39. Captain William Eccles Mostyn, 1-24th Regiment – Memorial Ideford, Devon. (KIA Isandlwana)
40. Private Samuel Murch, 80th Regiment – Born Ashburton, Devon.
41. Captain Henry Hallam Parr, 13th Regiment – Born in Devon.
42. Lieutenant Charles Sim Bremridge Parsons, Royal Artillery – Buried & Memorial St Davids Church, Exeter, Devon.
43. Sub Lieutenant George Edwin Patey, HMS Shah – Buried Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon.
44. Lieutenant Alexander Vaughan Payne, 99th Regiment – Buried Sidmouth Cemetery, Devon.
45. Lieutenant Cooper Penrose, Royal Engineers – Buried Littleham Churchyard, Exmouth, Devon.
46. Captain & Pay Master Henry Walker Phillips, 57th Regiment – Buried St David’s Churchyard, Exeter, Devon.
47. Sub Lieutenant Stanley Talbot Dean Pitt, HMS Active – Buried Belstone Parish Churchyard, Devon.
48. Domestic Class Two W Potham, HMS Tenedos – Born Devonport, Devon.
49. Captain Thomas Rainforth, 24th Regiment – Born Newton, Exeter, Devon.
50. Captain Ephraim Frederick Rathbone, Burgher Force – Born Tiverton, Devon.
51. Surgeon General James Tryrell Carter Ross CIE, Army Medical Department – Buried East Budleigh Churchyard, Devon.
52. Lieutenant Henry Macleod Leslie Rundle, Royal Artillery – Born Newton Abbott, Devon.
53. Assistant Commissary Alfred Sadler, Assistant Commissary – Buried Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon.
54.
55. Major Henry Sparke Stabb, 32nd Regiment – Memorial Ilfracombe, Devon.
56. Deputy-Assistant Commissary-General of Ordnance Steevens John, Commissariat and Transport Department – Died Chieflowman, Devon and Buried Uplowman, near Tiverton, Devon.
57. Private Thomas Stevens, 24th Regiment – Born Exeter, Devon. (Rorke’s Drift Defender)
58. Civil Practitioner George Stoker, Army Medical Department – Buried Exeter Higher Cemetery, Heavitree, Exeter, Devon.
59. Private Henry Tidball, 80th Regiment – Born Morebath, Devon.
60. Lieutenant & Adjutant Courtney Vor Trower, 24th Regiment – Born Exeter, Devon.
61. Major Charles Tucker, 80th Regiment – Buried Ashburton Churchyard, Devon.
62. Surgeon Samuel William Vasey, HMS Boadicea, Buried Chudleigh Cemetery, Chudleigh, Devon.
63. Sergeant William Anning Voysey, Durban Mounted Rifles – Born in Devon.
64. Lieutenant Charles Wallace Warden, 57th Regiment – Died & Cremated at Plymouth, Devon and Memorial Buckland-Tout-Saints, Devon.
65. Lieutenant Raymond Burleton Williams, 13th Regiment – Buried Tamerton Folliot, Devon.
66. Fleet Surgeon David Wilson, HMS Himalaya – Buried Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth, Devon.
67. Petty Officer Class 1 Samuel John Witheridge, HMS Boadicea – Born Plymouth, Devon.
68. Sub Lieutenant Borchier Robert Sherard Wrey, HMS Forester – Buried Tawstock Church, near Barnstaple, Devon.
69. Lieutenant Douglas Arthur Wright, HMS Himalaya – Buried Torquay, Devon.
70. Surgeon T. Sibbald RN H.M.S. Shah - Born Aug. 13, 1852 Lifton, Devon, England
71. 13429 Sapper Frederick Robert Eddy, Royal Enginners, 30th Company - Born Dawlish, Devon
72. Captain John Matthew Benthall was born at Upton, Torquay on 6 August 1840, died on 2 June 1888.
73. Pte Luddington Section; general 'B', grave No. 4498 Weston Mill Cemetery Plymouth.
74. Pte. W. Wilcox 'B' Coy 2nd Btn 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment, present at the Defence of Rorke's Drift.
75. Sergeant Thomas Brooking Tope, 88th, Born, Died & Buried South Brent, Devon.
76. Sgt. W. Blackman RMLI (South Brent Cemetery, Devon).
77. Able Seaman Henry Hussey, HMS Shah - Born Bradninch, near Cullompton, Devon.
78. Able Seaman Thomas G. Bartlett , HMS Tamar - Born Plymouth, Devon, England
79. Domestic Class 1 William Davey, HMS Tamar - Born Stonehouse, Devon, England
80. Petty Officer Class 1 William Deeble, HMS Tamar - Born Plymouth, Devon, England
81. Private R M L I Charles Hawkins, HMS Tamar - Born Exeter, Devon, England
82. Petty Officer Class 2 Thomas Kenshole , HMS Tamar - Born Stonehouse, Devon, England
83. Petty Officer Class 1 William Lee, HMS Tamar - Born Raftow Barnstaple, Devon, England
84. Able Seaman William Northmore, HMS Tamar, - Born Ugborough, Devon, England
85. Leading Stoker Charles Pasker, HMS Tamar - Born Devonport, Devon, England
86. Plumber John Short, HMS Tamar - Born Plympton St Mary, Devon, England
87. Master At Arms Fredk. Hy. D. Strath, HMS Tamar - Born Plymouth, Devon, England
88. Domestic Class 2 Charles E. Sullivan, HMS Tamar - Born Devonport, Devon, England
89. Lamp Trimmer Henry Thomas, HMS Tamar - Born Exeter, Devon, England
90. Domestic Class 2 John Trout, HMS Tamar - Born Devonport, Devon, England
91. Carpenter Henry S.Turner, HMS Tamar - Born Stoke Damarel, Devon, England
92. Boatswain George B. Vickery, HMS Tamar - Born Plymouth, Devon, England
93. Blacksmith George Vosper, HMS Tamar - Born Devonport, Devon, England
94. Able Seaman Richard White, HMS Tamar - Born Exmouth, Devon, England
95. Captain Joseph Henry Laye, 90th - Died Dawlish, Devon, England
96. Civil Practitioner James Alexander Kay, Army Medical Department - Born Plymouth, Devon, England
97. Driver 15094 William Addicott, 5th Company, Royal Engineers - Born Witheridge, Tiverton, Devon, England
98. Private 1248 John Ellis, 57th Regiment - Born Plymstock, Plymouth, Devon, England
99. Able Seaman George William Thomas Hogben , HMS Himilaya - Born Devonport, Devon, England
100. Private 29B/1834 James Napper, 58th - Born St Thomas, Exeter, Devon - Died St Thomas, Exeter, Devon
101. Private 2143 Harry Ayers, 3rd 60th - Born Cullompton, Devon, England
102. Lieutenant William Marrack, HMS Active - Died Plymouth, Devon, England
103. Private 2141 Charles Belcher, 99th Regiment - Born St Georges, Plymouth, Devon, England
104. Private 11/634 Patrick Gleeson, 2nd 4th Regiment - Born Devonport, Plymouth, Devon, England
105. Corporal T/3507 William Farley, Army Service Corps - Born Sandford, Crediton, Devon, England
106. Sapper 13589 Lewis Tucker, Royal Engineers, 30th Company - Born & Died West Alvington, Kingsbridge, Devon, England


If anyone can add to this list please do.
Sir BCP please keep us updated with regards to your visit to Ugbrooke House.

Does anyone know the connection of Capt William Eccles Mostyn (KIA Isandlwana) with the tiny rural village of Ideford in Devon ?
There is a splendid Memorial window to Mostyn within St.Marys Church in Ideford.

I have contacted the person responsible for the Church records and received this extract taken from the historic notes on the windows of the Church:
"The glass commemorates Capt.Mostyn Owen 24th Foot (South Wales Borderers) killed at Isandula, Zululand 22 Jan 1878. He was a nephew of Mrs Robert Whiteway."

Yes, I have noted at least 4 mistakes in that extract. Not sure how many are typos !

The following comment was added by the helpful Church Records administrator:
"I am sorry I could not be more helpful. I have tried contacting current members of the Whiteway family but without success, as it would be interesting to know why they had such an interest in Ideford !"

Comments welcomed.

Here's a link to the photo.

http://1879zuluwar.forumotion.com/pictorial-catalogue-of-azw-graves-memorials-f18/capt-w-mostyn-f-coy-1st-btn-24th-2nd-warwickshire-regiment-t2171.htm?highlight=mostyn

1879graves List up-dated. You now have 75 Devon connections.

1879Graves. Another one added by Tim Needham. Sgt. W. Blackman RMLI (South Brent Cemetery, Devon).

Admin

Can you please add the following found by littlehand & Petty Officer Tom

Able Seaman Henry Hussey, HMS Shah - Born Bradninch, near Cullompton, Devon

Done.

List has been updated.

Hopefully we can make it 100 soon

On my research of my family tree, which is always ongoing. I noticed my great grandfather numbered here, No 84 William Northmore.
Can I ask if you have any further information regarding the crew of the HMS Tamar and their involvement with the Zulu war ?

Quote :

84. Able Seaman William Northmore, HMS Tamar, - Born Ugborough, Devon, England

REPLACEMENTS

"I think by now we all know what occurred at Isandlwana on Jan 22nd 1879, the British army lost a lot of men that day, the Zulu nation even more of course. Something had to be done to fill the many gaps as a result of this huge loss in man-power on the British side. The call went out, leave was cancelled, regiments mobilised and volunteers came forth, out of a sense of duty or revenge?, perhaps a piece of both?. One of these regiments was the 21st or as it was known, Royal Scot Fusiliers. This fine old regiment was also known as The 21st Royal North British Fusiliers. They lined up beside the 58th regiment at Ulundi but I am getting ahead of myself as usual.

Before I relate as to what the 21st did in South Africa a little on the regiment itself. The 2nd Battalion who participated in South Africa was formed in Paisley, Scotland in April 1858, the first Commanding Officer was Col Last who had been in the 99th before this appointment.

By December 1858 the 2nd Battalion was in Newport, Wales, moves to Aldershot, Dover, Ireland followed. Foreign service began in 1863 to Madras then Burma and Rangoon. On the 1st May 1872 the Fusiliers were caught up in a severe cyclone at Madras, thanks to the efforts of the 21st ships and their crews and many passengers owed their lives to these men. And the people of Madras as a thanks gave the Officers Mess a large silver vase.

By 1873 the regiment was back in Scotland when in 1874 it again moved to Aldershot and then to Portsmouth, back to Scotland in Nov 1877. By 1878 the regiment moved to Ireland when a call went out in 1879 after news of the losses reached these shores, the regiment was put on active service conditions. From the depot in Ayr, volunteers from regiments serving in Ireland, the 2nd Battalion left Curragh Camp under the command of Col W Pole Collingwood for Cork. On the 20th Feb 1879 they boarded the 'City Of Paris' and set sail for South Africa. On the 21st March they were in sight of Table Mountain in the face of a severe gale, hoping to make Simon`s Bay before nightfall. At about 8 pm the ship ran onto Roman Rock.

The 'Ayr Advertiser' reported, It was very dark, it was blowing a gale, and there were 1100 men on deck. The Captain gave his orders, with coolness and courage from the bridge; the boats were made ready for lowering, signals of distress were sent up, and all were prepared for the worst. The Scots Fusiliers behaved with admiral coolness, nothing could have been better, the young fellows vying with their older comrades in their apparent contempt of danger. Happily for all on board, the gale, now increasing, catching the ship on the port side, at the same time as the reversed engines pulled her back, pushed her off the rocks; and putting on full steam we now went ahead, and passing through forbidden water, over sunken rocks, we got in into Simon's Bay with no water to speak of in the hold. An episode is worth reporting of the good behaviour of the men. The instance the ship struck the rock, the quartermaster at the wheel uttered an exclamation of horror, and crying, "all is lost!" made a rush to the nearest boat. Two or three young soldiers at once seized the wheel, and did their best to steer the ship until another quartermaster could be got hold of.

The battalion was transferred to the HMS Tamar for the trip to Durban, where it arrived on the 31st March 1879. At Durban bandsmen were issued rifles but the pipers and bugle players retained their instruments. By the 3rd April the Fusiliers left Durban and on the 5th April arrived at Pietermaritzburg and received a warm welcome from the locals. Fort Newdigate was constructed and two companies of the Scots Fusiliers, along with two Gatling guns, a company of Basutos, and a troop of the 1st Dragoon Guards made up the little garrison. A march ensued to the Upoko River where a skirmish had taken place on the 5th June 1879. Waiting there for supply wagons. Fort Marshall was constructed, with two companies of Fusiliers along with a squadron of the 17th Lancers. In overall command was Brigadier General Collingwood. On the 18th June the remainder of the battalion resumed its march. By the time of Ulundi on July 4th the 2/21st were lined up with the 58th regiment, Regimental Colours were unfurled and bands began to play. Under the command of Lord Chelmsford they headed north-easterly between the kraals at NDABAKAOMBE and UNODWENGO. Chelmsford got his troops in a favourable position with his front facing Ulundi about a mile to his east. The first Zulu were seen at about 8:30 am on July 4th. After the savage defeat of the Zulu at Ulundi, Chelmsford received orders from Sir Garnet Wolseley on July 8th to bring the sick and wounded to Fort Newdigate. Chelmsford was camped at EULONGANENI and had decided there to resign his command and leave for home. In closing his parting speech he said the following, "For the courage, coolness, and devotion you have all displayed wherever I have been with you, my best and warmest thanks are due. For the unselfish devotion, untiring energy, and good humour with which you have encountered hardship, fatigue, and privation I find it hard to express my gratitude sufficiently. In all senses you have done your duty as British soldiers!."

The withdrawal started on the 10th July, and four days later they had passed Fort Marshall; with wounded and sick men being escorted to Ladysmith by two companies of the Scots Fusiliers and Bengough's natives. The regiment had started to break up on July 26th on the banks of the Upoko river, with various elements going to different locations. Other engagements took place in South Africa for the 21st but that is a different story. The Zulu nation had been broken at Ulundi and later the then British Prime Minister ( Gladstone ) had commented on the loss of 10,000 Zulu and for what reason when in the cold light of dawn the historians and record keepers gave the post-mortem on the Anglo Zulu War of 1879."

Graham Mason
Anglo-Zulu War Researcher

ZOOP,

HMS Tamar was an Iron Troopship commissioned at Devonport. After the news of Ishandlwana reached across the Empire, Tamar brought the 57th Regiment from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) to Natal, arriving on the 10th of March 1879, disembarking the troops on the 11th.

As she was returning to England she was ordered by Admiral F. Sullivan (Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa Squadron) to go to Simon's Bay where the "City of Paris" had run aground on 23 March. She took on board the 21st Regiment and disembarked them at Natal on 31st March.

While she was returning to England once again, the Tamar stopped at Smon's Bay where her Captain was ordered by the Senior Naval officer at Simon's Bay (Captain Adeane, HMS Tenedos) to go to the assistance of the "Clyde" which had run aground and sunk (3rd April). The troops on board (replacements for the 24th Regiment) had been safely landed ashore. These were picked up by the crew of the Tamar and taken to Natal and disembarked on on the 11th April. The Captain and crew of the Tamar received the praise of Captqin Adeane. Tamar at last proceded to England.

The Tamar's officers and crew were awarded the South African Medal, without clasp, for their service from 10 March to 11 April, 1879.

The Medal Roll shows 215 Medals issued, one of which was to William Northmore, Able Seaman. He was 24 years old at the time. His serial number: 65546.

Petty Officer Tom

If you have a photograph of him, could you post it on the forum?

Petty Officer Tom,
thanks for your reply, very helpful. I don't have a photo unfortunatley, I would love to have one myself !
I would like to know more about the conditions he would of faced in the navy at that time. I do have his service records which I got from National Archives. He started out at the age of 14 his dad signed him over to the navy for 10 years as a boy 2 class in July 1870. He started off on the Impregnable. Also served aboard The Royal Clyde, The Royal Walden and The Royal Adelaid before joining the Tamar in Oct 1877. In 1890, on my grandfathers birth certificate his ocupation is shown as 1st Class Petty Officer aboard HMS Tamar, can you tell me where that stands in navy rankings and what responsibilties he would of had ? also, any links to photos of what uniform he would of worn...
I apologise to other forum members for clogging up this site with my research.

Hi ZOOP .
Welcome aboard , no need to apologise , hopefully we can answer your questions , if any one can concerning the
Navy it's Petty Officer Tom . .
cheers 90th.

Zoop,

Your great grandfather's rank of Petty Officer 1st is next to the top in the navy rankings; Boy, Ordinary Seaman, Able Seaman, Leading Seaman, Petty Officer 2nd, Petty Offcer 1st, Chief Petty Officer.

Next come the ratings, which is the individual specialty in the navy. For a Petty Officer 1st that could be Boatswain's Mate, Gunner's Mate, Quarter Master, Captain of the Hold, etc.

No matter which was his rate, he would have supervised a group of sailors.

As for the Uniforms worn in the day, check out the attached links posted by some of our forum members.

Sketch of Naval Uniforms
http://1879zuluwar.forumotion.com/naval-brigade-f23/naval-uniforms-1879-t3142.htm

HMS Tenedos Naval Brigade
http://1879zuluwar.forumotion.com/naval-brigade-f23/hms-tenedos-naval-brigade-t2493.htm?highlight=tenedos

HMS Active Naval Brigade
http://1879zuluwar.forumotion.com/naval-brigade-f23/natives-manning-the-gun-t2055.htm

Hope all of this helps. Feel free to send me a PM.

Petty Officer Tom

Admin,

Since this is starting to get a little off topic, should you move Zoop's question and susequent answers to the Naval Brigade forum?

Driver 15094 William Addicott added to the list

Private 1248 John Ellis added to the list

Able Seaman George William Thomas Hogben - Added to the list

Private 29B/1834 James Napper, 58th - added to the list

:lol: 100 reached :lol:

Now lets go for 150. Well done 1879 Graves. I remember when this thread first came about.

Private 2143 Harry Ayers, 3rd 60th - added to the list

The list is an excellent achievement. Well done to all concerned.

Private 2141 Charles Belcher, 99th Regiment - added to the list.

Private 11/634 Patrick Gleeson, 2nd 4th Regiment - added to the list.

Corporal T/3507 William Farley, Army Service Corps - added to the list.

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Isandula Collection

Sapper 13589 Lewis Tucker, Royal Engineers, 30th Company - added to the list.