John William Theobald.

John William Theobald, was the subject of an article which appeared in Lincoln's 'Chronicle and Leader' newspaper.


A KING IN A CRATE

Lincoln Veteran of the Zulu War.

Thrilling Memories

Cetywayo Bretrayed By His Cooks.

Here are some extracts from the article:

'When he was 20 ( 1874) Mr. Theobald gave up woring on the land to join the Royal Artillery. As a groom , he sailed to South Africa  with horses of the regiment in 1879,.....

Mr.Theobald was one of the gallant band of 60 men who defended the small mission station of Rorke's Drift, on the border of Zulu-land, against repeated attacks of 3,000 Zulu warriors, and he was present at the capture of King Cetywayo, which resulted in the appointment of an English resident and the division of the country in 13 districts, each governed by an independant chief. Ulandi was the chief military kraal wheer the king resided.

According to Mr. Theobald, Cetywayo was not found when the troops visited Ulandi, but the soldiers surprised two Zulu men and a woman, cooking a hearty meal over a glowing fire.

The officer in charge had the men arrested with a view of questioning them as to the whereabouts of the king and the remainder of the tribe, but for  along time the natives would not speak. At last however, combines were produced  and the blacks gave in. King Cetywayo and his wives and his tribesmen were arrested . The royal family were hustled into a large box, the tribesmen and their women werer packed into other boxes. and the prisoners were taken to Cape Town much to the joy of the soldiers.

In 1882 Mr. Theobald was discharged from the Army on account of ill-health.'

Source:E-Mailed

Hi 24th

I have found a John Theobald listed on the Medal Roll.

Royal Artillery, 6th Brigade, O Battery, Driver 1028 John Theobald
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So it is possible that they are the same person and part of his story could be true.

Hi 24th

I have done a little digging on your man and now can say he is the same that is on the medal roll.

The story of being at Rorke's Drift as a defender is incorrect. He didi not leave the UK until March 1879.

The rest of his story, I have not yet check.

When he was 20 ( 1874) Mr. Theobald gave up woring on the land to join the Royal Artillery (True). As a groom (False) , he sailed to South Africa with horses of the regiment in 1879,..... (May have done - need to check this out).

The King Cetywayo story, I have not yet Checked

In 1882 Mr. Theobald was discharged from the Army on account of ill-health. (True)

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I hope the above helps

I did read somewhere that there may well have been others at RD but for some reason were missed of the roll call.

Hi All,
John Willian Theobald, various Royal Artillery Numbers as he changed Batteries, 42154,17110,1028, born Lavenham Sudbury Lincolnshire, discharged 30 Oct 1882 at Chatham.
1891 Census Lexden Essex, Married to Eliza, 6 children, he is a Labourer, 1921 census Lincoln.
He dies March Qtr 1935 in Lincoln District.
Rai Keynshamlighthorse.