1698 Sergent Joseph Thomas

Posts : 4 Join date : 2014-05-23

In 1879 one of my ancestors 1698 Sergent Joseph Thomas was with 11 Battery, 7th Brigade Royal Artillery. I am trying to find out which column he was in, where he saw battle and who was his commander. Any help would be great.

Simon

Subject: 1698 Sgt Joseph Thomas Mon May 26, 2014 2:22 am

Hi MrLeprechaun
Your relative Sgt Thomas is in the Medal Roll , his commanding Officer was Major E.G.Tremlett , the following from Mackinnon & Shadbolt's ' The South African Campaign Of 1879 '
No11 Battery , 7th Brigade
Lt- Col Tremlett's battery served with the field force throughout the whole of the war , a heavy share of arduous and important duty falling to it's lot . The Hd-Qtrs were with Wood's column throughout its various operations , including the action at Zunguin Nek , on the 24th Jan ; the battle of Khambula on the 29th March ; and the battle of Ulundi on the 4th July - a detachment also being present at the action on the Zlobane on the 28th March , and two men of the battery at the battle of Ginghilovo on the 2nd April ; while another division of the battery under Lt Wilford Lloyd served with Pearson's column from the date of it's formation till the relief of Etshowe - being present at the battle of Inyezane on the 22nd Jan , and throughout the subsequent
blockade of the post ; and afterwards taking part in the operations of Crealock's Divis . Major Russell , of the battery , was killed when in command of a rocket detachment at Isandhlwana on the 22nd Jan . Hope this helps ? .
Cheers 90th

Posts : 4 Join date : 2014-05-23

Thanks 90th

I'm finding it a bit difficult to find out details of his service as he later died in service in 1886 and I read that the service records of those who died in service were destroyed as there was no need to keep them. He had become a Battery Sergent Major in the 9/1st Western Division R.A. and was in Mauritius when he died.

Simon

Subject: 1698 Sgt Joseph Thomas Mon May 26, 2014 2:21 pm

Hi Simon
Yes that's correct , when the soldiers died on service their records were destroyed .
90th

Posts : 4 Join date : 2014-05-23

90th

I'm trying to a birth record for Joseph I know that he was born in 1853 somewhere in England but the are 2940 matches on Find My Past. I have found out that he enlisted on 01/02/1872 from the Forces War Records, would the place of his enlistment be on muster rolls, i.e. first payment. Any other records which might help?

Simon

Subject: 1698 Sgt Joseph Thomas Mon May 26, 2014 2:44 pm

Hi Simon
Sorry I dont have much of an idea on how that works , hopefully 1879Graves one of our members may see these posts and he will have something to add , he is very good at finding that type of information . agree

Cheers 90th Salute

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