Sergeant Thomas Pettitt, 2nd Battalion 21st Regiment (Royal Scots Fusiliers )

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 62 Location : UK

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South Africa Medal (Zulu) clasp 1879, Long Service & Good Conduct Medal Victoria to Sergeant Thomas Pettitt, 2nd Battalion 21st Regiment (Royal Scots Fusiliers a labourer from Bury St Edmonds who enlisted in November 1860. the day after his brother. At the battle of Ulundi the Regiment formed a portion of the right of the square and with the 58th Regiment 'Bore the brunt of the first desperate onslaught of the enemy, large numbers of whom got to within 30 yards before being checked by the galling and destructive fire that poored into them' Discharged medically unfit in August 1880 following his return to England from the Transvaal"

Thomas Pettitt attested for the 21st Regiment of Foot 13 November 1860 aged 19 years, his brother William had attested for the same Regiment the day before also aged 19 years and possibly twins.

At the end of May 1879, Chelmsford invaded Zululand again, this time with a reinforced army. Despite problems of supply, constant skirmishing and the embarrassing death of the French Prince Imperial while on a patrol, Chelmsford's force made steady progress. On 4 July 1879 he drew up his 5,000-strong army in a large square opposite Cetshwayo's capital at Ulundi. The 2nd Battalion 21st Regiment fought at the battle of Ulundi and formed a portion of the right of the hollow square, and with the 58th Regiment bore the brunt of the first desperate onslaught of the enemy, large numbers of whom got to within 30 yards of the line before the galling and destructive fire which was poored into them could stay their advance. In the engagement Brevet Lt Colonel R W C Winsloe was severely wounded in the chest, on the breakup of the Square the Battalion proceeded to the Transvaal.

The service record for William has survived but not for Thomas for some unexplained reason and the pair would benefit for a full Muster search. Thomas Pettitt was discharged from the Army 10 August 1880 medically unfit after returning from Transvaal, South Africa to England.

The pair toned and

GVF £695 SOLD

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