New Castle Mounted Rifles. 'Captain Robert Bradstreet'

I have been looking up the New Castle Mounted Rifles (With regards to SirDCC Post Helmet plates) there's not a great deal on this unit. In particular I'm looking for information on Captain Robert Bradstreet who was killed at Isandlwana. Any help would be appreciated. (A photo would be also appreciated)

Here's his name on the memorial at Isandlwana.
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Source Zulu War - Volunteers, Irregulars & Auxiliaries By Ian Castle.

Hope it helps.

Hi Chelmsfordthescapegoat

According to the obit' in 'The Graphic' 17th May, 1879:
'Captain Robert Bradstreet,
Who was the second son of the late Major Charles Robert Bradstreet, H.E.I.C.S., was born in the Madras Presidency in April, 1838. He was educated at the King's School, Canterbury, and in the year 1861 proceeded to the colony of Natal, where he was for some time employed in directing the works of the formation of a breakwater at the mouth of the Umkomanzi River. He subsequently visited the Diamond Fields and Gold Fields, and latterly resided at the village of Newcastle, Natal, where he acted as Assistant Magistrate of the district. On the outbreak of the Zulu War Captain Bradstreet was chiefly instrumental in forming the Newcastle Mounted Rifle Volunteer Corps, of which, with the Buffalo Border Guard, he was in command at the ill-fated engagement at Isandlwhana. Captain Alan Gardner, in his account of the affair, says that he led the Mounted Volunteers under Captain Bradstreet to a small point in front of the camp, and that for a short time they were able to check the enemy, but that at length, being overpowered by numbers, they were forced to retire on the camp. The colonial papers state that when last seen poor Bradstreet was fighting vigorously with his sword, surrounded by Zulus, his ammunition being all expended. In 1874 Captain Bradstreet married a daughter of Dr. Scoble, of Natal, by whom he leaves a son and daughter.'

(Original spelling retained. JY) John Young Collection

Thanks to all for information. 1879Graves. Thanks for the link in the P.M I see Peter Quantrill, gives some useful infoe. All I need now is a photo. ??

hi ctsg.
I managed to find a sketch of Bradstreet and it is the same picture in several books , if you have ' They Fell Like Stones '
by noted zulu historian John Young it is on page 66. You may find a photograph in the Killie Campbell Library , but I am
certain if one does / did exist it would have been used by Young and Knight etc etc .
cheers 90th.

ps, Did you see the photo for sale of the Good Lord I posted for your perusal .

Hi Chelmsfordthescapegoat

From The Graphic

1879Graves. You are a diamond. Thanks very much. Its not the person I thought it was. Back to the drawing board. Could lead to some more helpfull reseach if you don't mind.

Hi All

In relation to 1879graves post 2010 9:44pm.

There were three Bradstreet's attending King's school Canterbury near enough at the same time:

Ref: School index
Charles Robert Bradstreet - 1848
Robert Bradstreet - 1848
William Carolus Bradstreet -1850

Charles and Robert Bradstreet are brothers, William being a member of another line of Bradstreet's.

Charles and Roberts father was Major Charles Robert Bradstreet H.E.I.C.S 37th Madras Infantry, died 26 , April 1839, age 39, and was married to Anne Nursey, dates unknown.

Quoted at rorkesdriftvc.com and in Colburn United Services magazine and Naval Military Journal:
Captain Charles Robert Bradstreet mentioned, also became a major and was the eldest son born in Madras India 19th March 1837.
Ensign - Madras Infantry 11th June 1859
Lieut.   - 1st June 1871
Captain  13th September 1871
Major.     11 June 1879.     Note: I believe this date added to the confusion of which brother was at Isandlwana.    

Captain Robert Bradstreet was born in Apr 1838 and was a casualty at Isandlwana in 1879 as we now know, age 41

William Carolus Bradstreet was the son of Reverend William Bradstreet and is believed to have become a clerk for the government Board of Trade.

Also note: under the sketch above it states Captain R Bradstreet, no "C" Bradstreet.

Note: also in 1879graves post where it says son of Major Charles Robert Bradstreet, born 1838, the 1838 referred to Robert being born then, not Charles jnr. This date has also been attributed to Charles jnr on some sites and has added to the confusion.

Eddie

Hi all

Robert Bradstreet's widow Maud, remarried soon after his death, on 01 December 1880 to Charles O'Grady Gubbins..

Natal Witness BMDs 1880.

The daughter was Maud Lilian Bradstreet born 6 Jan 1878 Newcastle, Natal (Natal Witness 28th January 1878).
Died 14 Jan 1934 Park Lane Nursing Home, Johannesburg, Transvaal.

Hi Julian

I don't know if you were just stating a fact or stating that Maud was the daughter, not the mother.

However, The Natal Witness Birth, Marriage and Deaths do actually state that it was the widow of Robert Bradstreet that got married. The Surgeon Charles Gubbins and Maud went on to have a child, Chas Fitzgerald B Gubbins, died on 19 May 1883 just over one year old.
The mother had the same name.

Eddie
I was stating that Robert and Maud Bradstreet nee Scoble had a daughter and that "The daughter was Maud Lilian Bradstreet born 6 Jan 1878 Newcastle, Natal (Natal Witness 28th January 1878).
Died 14 Jan 1934 Park Lane Nursing Home, Johannesburg, Transvaal.

Hi Julian

Thank you.

Natal Witness 4th February 1879
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Pity it doesn't say who saw him. It sounds a bit boys-own-paperish, you know, the way we like our colonial heroes to die. If it was the same eye-witness who reported the finding of Melvill 'wrapped in the colours' then this report can safely be taken with a pinch of salt.

Natal Witness 27th March 1879
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Seems the Natal Witness has sold Robert Bradstreet a little short by not mentioning that he was indeed a Magistrate
in and around the area of Newcastle ! .
90th

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Natal Witness 13.12.1879

Henry Simpson and Peter de Bary would have been the NMR troopers who had been with Chelmsford on the Mangeni Reconnaissance.
Arthur Dimmock, similarly but with the BBG.

I remember Gary emailed me a copy of Bradstreet grave and seeing Gary enjoying himself in Zululand I thought I would post it on his behalf also he has issues posting images on the forum[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

The Grave is in much better condition now , the trees have been removed !
90th

Pleased to hear it.

Hi Julian
But in saying that the Inscription is very difficult to read but you can read it , although it doesn't photograph very well .
90th