WWW.1879ZULUWAR.COM

Film Zulu. Lieutenant John Chard: The army doesn't like more than one disaster in a day. Bromhead: Looks bad in the newspapers and upsets civilians at their breakfast.
 
HomeHome  GalleryGallery  Latest imagesLatest images  SearchSearch  RegisterRegister  Log inLog in  
Latest topics
» Did Ntishingwayo really not know Lord C wasn't at home
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyYesterday at 6:37 pm by Tig Van Milcroft

» Dr. A. Ralph Busby
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySun Nov 17, 2024 11:25 pm by Julian Whybra

» Lieutenant M.G. Wales, 1st Natal Native Contingent
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySat Nov 16, 2024 12:32 pm by Matthew Turl

» Colonel Edward William Bray, 2nd/4th Regt.
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Nov 15, 2024 9:55 pm by Julian Whybra

» Royal Marine Light Infantry, Chatham
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyThu Nov 14, 2024 7:57 pm by Petty Officer Tom

» H.M.S. Forester
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyThu Nov 14, 2024 4:07 pm by johnex

» Samuel Popple
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyWed Nov 13, 2024 8:43 am by STEPHEN JAMES

» Studies in the Zulu War volume VI now available
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySat Nov 09, 2024 6:38 pm by Julian Whybra

» Colonel Charles Knight Pearson
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Nov 08, 2024 5:56 pm by LincolnJDH

» Grave of Henry Spalding
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyThu Nov 07, 2024 8:10 pm by 1879graves

» John West at Kambula
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyThu Nov 07, 2024 5:25 pm by MKalny15

» Private Frederick Evans 2/24th
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySun Nov 03, 2024 8:12 pm by Dash

» How to find medal entitlement Coker
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySun Nov 03, 2024 10:51 am by Kev T

» Isandlwana Casualty - McCathie/McCarthy
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySat Nov 02, 2024 1:40 pm by Julian Whybra

» William Jones Comment
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Nov 01, 2024 6:07 pm by Eddie

» Brother of Lt Young
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Nov 01, 2024 5:13 pm by Eddie

» Frederick Marsh - HMS Tenedos
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Nov 01, 2024 9:48 am by lydenburg

» Mr Spiers KIA iSandlwana ?
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Nov 01, 2024 7:50 am by Julian Whybra

» Isandhlwana unaccounted for casualties
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Nov 01, 2024 7:48 am by Julian Whybra

» Thrupps report to Surgeon General Wolfies
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyThu Oct 31, 2024 12:32 pm by Julian Whybra

» Absence of Vereker from Snook's Book
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Oct 25, 2024 10:59 pm by Julian Whybra

» Another Actor related to the Degacher-Hitchcock family
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyMon Oct 21, 2024 1:07 pm by Stefaan

» No. 799 George Williams and his son-in-law No. 243 Thomas Newman
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySat Oct 19, 2024 12:36 pm by Dash

» Alphonse de Neuville- Painting the Defence of Rorke's Drift
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Oct 18, 2024 8:34 am by Stefaan

» Studies in the Zulu War volumes
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyWed Oct 16, 2024 3:26 pm by Julian Whybra

» Martini Henry carbine IC1 markings
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyMon Oct 14, 2024 10:48 pm by Parkerbloggs

» James Conner 1879 clasp
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyMon Oct 14, 2024 7:12 pm by Kenny

» 80th REG of Foot (Staffords)
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySun Oct 13, 2024 9:07 pm by shadeswolf

» Frontier Light Horse uniform
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySun Oct 13, 2024 8:12 pm by Schlaumeier

» Gelsthorpe, G. 1374 Private 1/24th / Scott, Sidney W. 521 Private 1/24th
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySun Oct 13, 2024 1:00 pm by Dash

» A Bullet Bible
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySat Oct 12, 2024 8:33 am by Julian Whybra

» Brothers Sears
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Oct 11, 2024 7:17 pm by Eddie

» Zulu War Medal MHS Tamar
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Oct 11, 2024 3:48 pm by philip c

» Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth.
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyTue Oct 08, 2024 4:15 pm by rai

» Shipping - transport in the AZW
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySun Oct 06, 2024 10:47 pm by Bill8183

Search
 
 

Display results as :
 
Rechercher Advanced Search
November 2024
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
    123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
252627282930 
CalendarCalendar
Most active topics
Durnford was he capable.1
Durnford was he capable. 4
Durnford was he capable.5
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
Isandlwana, Last Stands
The ammunition question
Durnford was he capable. 3
Durnford was he capable.2
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
The missing five hours.
Most Viewed Topics
Please Do Not Post Ads on Our Forum
Google Chrome new standards imposed
Isandlwana, Last Stands
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
In deference to other online platforms discussing the history of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879
The missing five hours.
ISANDLWANA SURVIVIORS
The ammunition question
Recent Members To The ZULU WAR 1879 Discussion & Reference Forum ( A Small Victorian War in 1879)
Pte David Jenkins. 'Forgotten' Survivor of Rorke's Drift Returned to Official Records
Top posting users this month
Julian Whybra
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_leftI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor BarI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_right 
Tig Van Milcroft
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_leftI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor BarI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_right 
Dash
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_leftI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor BarI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_right 
SRB1965
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_leftI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor BarI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_right 
warrior3
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_leftI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor BarI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_right 
Eddie
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_leftI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor BarI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_right 
John Young
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_leftI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor BarI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_right 
1879graves
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_leftI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor BarI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_right 
aussie inkosi
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_leftI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor BarI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_right 
Tim Needham
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_leftI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor BarI am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Bar_right 
New topics
» Dr. A. Ralph Busby
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySat Nov 16, 2024 11:36 am by Julian Whybra

» Colonel Edward William Bray, 2nd/4th Regt.
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyWed Nov 13, 2024 8:49 pm by John Young

» Samuel Popple
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyTue Nov 12, 2024 3:36 pm by STEPHEN JAMES

» Colonel Charles Knight Pearson
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Nov 08, 2024 5:56 pm by LincolnJDH

» John West at Kambula
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyMon Nov 04, 2024 11:54 pm by MKalny15

» How to find medal entitlement Coker
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyFri Nov 01, 2024 9:32 am by Kev T

» Frederick Marsh - HMS Tenedos
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyThu Oct 31, 2024 1:42 pm by lydenburg

» Did Ntishingwayo really not know Lord C wasn't at home
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyMon Oct 28, 2024 8:18 am by SRB1965

» Thrupps report to Surgeon General Wolfies
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptySun Oct 27, 2024 11:32 am by SRB1965

Similar topics
Zero tolerance to harassment and bullying.
Due to recent events on this forum, we have now imposed a zero tolerance to harassment and bullying. All reports will be treated seriously, and will lead to a permanent ban of both membership and IP address. Any member blatantly corresponding in a deliberate and provoking manner will be removed from the forum as quickly as possible after the event.  If any members are being harassed behind the scenes PM facility by any member/s here at 1879zuluwar.com please do not hesitate to forward the offending text.  We are all here to communicate and enjoy the various discussions and information on the Anglo Zulu War of 1879. Opinions will vary, you will agree and disagree with one another, we will have debates, and so it goes. There is no excuse for harassment or bullying of anyone by another person on this site. The above applies to the main frame areas of the forum. The ring which is the last section on the forum, is available to those members who wish to partake in slagging matches. That section cannot be viewed by guests and only viewed by members that wish to do so. 
Fair Use Notice
Fair use notice. This website may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner. We are making such material and images are available in our efforts to advance the understanding of the “Anglo Zulu War of 1879. For educational & recreational purposes. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material, as provided for in UK copyright law. The information is purely for educational and research purposes only. No profit is made from any part of this website. If you hold the copyright on any material on the site, or material refers to you, and you would like it to be removed, please let us know and we will work with you to reach a resolution.
 

 I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor

Go down 
4 posters
AuthorMessage
RainQueen

RainQueen


Posts : 4
Join date : 2014-09-22
Age : 63
Location : Bayside, Melbourne

I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Empty
PostSubject: Re: I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor   I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyTue Sep 23, 2014 10:25 am

G'day All,

My name is AJ, I'm an Aussie sheila who is a half-cousin, umpteen times removed to
Alfred Henry "Harry" Hook.  There may be a secondary connection through a Wintle
further up the line.  

I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor.  I
found them in the Royal Soldier's Daughter's Home in the 1911 Census this last weekend:
Victoria Catherine (VC) and Letitia Jean.

My attention had been drawn to South Africa whilst trying to locate an Australian-born
Buchanan antecedent who was in Pretoria 1898-1903 as a mission worker.

He got struck by lightning whilst walking home in January 1903, his body shipped back home
to Blackwood, Victoria.

I have noticed the references to how ferocious the lightning was from the few personal accounts written by chaps years earlier.  Still reading all the archives to get a sense of the culture that was swirling around my Buchanan kin.

Hope they make a decent remake of the movie "Zulu" that avoids casting Nicholas Cage and Sir Anthony Hopkins and doesn't come out looking like "300" - although Gerard Butler would be scrumptious as John Chard (hormonally speaking).

I digress.

Great forum.  Happy to be here.  
My dad was a Brit - Sheffield born, bred & buttered.
He came to Australia and the natives got him.

Cheers
RainQueen
Back to top Go down
http://toughangels.org
rusteze

rusteze


Posts : 2871
Join date : 2010-06-02

I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Empty
PostSubject: Re: I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor   I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyTue Sep 23, 2014 10:59 am

Welcome to the forum RainQueen.

I can very much recommend a book called "Hook of Rorke's Drift" by Barry C Johnson published in 2004. It gives an extensive family history and there is also a photograph of Catherine and Letitia. There is also a chapter on the Royal Soldiers Daughters Home.

Look forward to hearing more about your connection to Henry Hook.

All the best.

Steve
Back to top Go down
90th

90th


Posts : 10909
Join date : 2009-04-07
Age : 68
Location : Melbourne, Australia

I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Empty
PostSubject: New Members Welcome    I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyTue Sep 23, 2014 11:23 am

Hi Steve
Is this the book you mention ' Rorke's Drift And The British Museum ; The Life Of Henry Hook , VC it's by Barry C Johnson ,
so I assume it's the same one . scratch
Cheers 90th You need to study mo
Back to top Go down
RainQueen

RainQueen


Posts : 4
Join date : 2014-09-22
Age : 63
Location : Bayside, Melbourne

I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Empty
PostSubject: Re: I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor   I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyTue Sep 23, 2014 12:41 pm

rusteze wrote:
Welcome to the forum RainQueen.

I can very much recommend a book called "Hook of Rorke's Drift" by Barry C Johnson published in 2004. It gives an extensive family history and there is also a photograph of Catherine and Letitia. There is also a chapter on the Royal Soldiers Daughters Home.

Look forward to hearing more about your connection to Henry Hook.

All the best.

Steve

Thanks for that, Steve.  I did manage to see a photo of the girls on Ancestry.com
and found a with information about the R.S.D.H. [Awwww, I'm not allowed to post external links
for 7 days]

Google archhistory + Royal Soldier's etc

Suppose I should adjourn to the Genealogy Forum to skite about my
connection to Harry Hook.  Rolling Eyes  I have popped all his mob on my genealogy website
including the folks his siblings married - can't post the link to that either. 

Harry lost a nephew in the 14-18.  His kid sister's lad.

Still getting up to speed.  Been a long time since I last swung by Rorke's Drift.

Keep your powder dry.
Back to top Go down
http://toughangels.org
RainQueen

RainQueen


Posts : 4
Join date : 2014-09-22
Age : 63
Location : Bayside, Melbourne

I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Empty
PostSubject: I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor   I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyTue Sep 23, 2014 4:46 pm

Thank you for that image to Barry Johnson's book, xhosa2000.
Very helpful. I swiped this from a forum on ancestry, it goes back
to 2006. Suppose it is old news?

Hey, I might be late to this party, but I'm bringing more beer


"15th November 2006

Death of member of 1879 Group
It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Henry
Bunting, a long standing honourary group member, the grandson of
Henry Hook VC. Henry passed away last Thursday, and he had
been ill for several weeks."

Alfred Henry Hook VC died in 1905 and is buried in his birthplace,
Churcham, Gloucestershire. I had never before heard of a Bunting
connection, Bunting being a Guild ONS registered to my good friend
Michael Bunting and with which Mary Rix, our Guild Marriage Index
coordinator, is also connected as a leading light in the Bunting Society.

I did a bit more legwork at FreeBMD and in the GRO Indexes at
findmypast.com and found that Alfred Henry Hook married at Islington in
1897 to his 2nd wife, Ada Letitia Taylor, and they apparently had a
daughter, Letitia Jean Hook, born at Islington in 1902. She would have
been only 3 when her father died, but she married in 1923 to a John J R
Bunting and their son Henry E R Bunting was born in 1924 - presumably
the man who died only last month and the grandson of Henry Hook VC.

I have passed these details on to Michael, though of course he may have
them already. I am posting this purely to make the point that we should
all look out for data in the most unlikely places, which may relate either
to our own ONS or those of fellow Guild members - in this case it was
because of my watching a film which has been around since 1964.

To give another example, I found 3 Stockdale sisters who were the
longest living UK triplets. Where? In the Guinness Book of Records!

R Stockdill (2534)


Rain Queen
Back to top Go down
http://toughangels.org
littlehand

littlehand


Posts : 7076
Join date : 2009-04-24
Age : 56
Location : Down South.

I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Empty
PostSubject: Re: I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor   I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyTue Sep 23, 2014 6:55 pm

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hook-Rorkes-Drift-Henry-1850-1905/dp/0951711563
About the book
"Henry hook was a working man, born in rural gloucestershire and he became famous after winning the victoria cross at rorke`s drift, he also won an entry in who`s who and was featured in two cigarette card series. He served in all three branches of the land forces of his day....the regular army, the militia in monmouth and the volunteers in london. This is his life story and the book has the following chapters.
A sturdy gloucestershire woodman to 1869 / in the pope`s own 1869 - 1874 / henrietta`s story 1870 - 1877 / south africa....war on the frontier 1878 / south africa....rorke`s drift 1878 - 1879 / south africa....the buffalo border 1879 / the move to london 1880 - 1881 / the V.C. at the museum 1882 - 1892 / military life at the B.M. to 1904 / fame and the reading room 1893 - 1903 / the second mrs meyrick and the second mrs hook 1891 - 1904 / a triumph 1903 - 1905
epilogue.....memorials - the royal soldiers daughters home - champion of birmingham`s underdogs - a reputation restored"
Back to top Go down
littlehand

littlehand


Posts : 7076
Join date : 2009-04-24
Age : 56
Location : Down South.

I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Empty
PostSubject: Re: I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor   I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyTue Sep 23, 2014 7:00 pm

Pte. Henry (Harry) Hook (1373 B Co. 24th. Regiment).

"Born at Churcham in Gloucestershire in 1850.
He first served in the Monmouth Militia and enlisted into the regular army at Monmouth in
March 1877 aged 26. He received a scalp wound from a Zulu assagai at Rorke's Drift,
which, in later years caused him some discomfort. He purchased his discharge from
the regular army in June 1880, but later served 20 years in 1st Volunteer Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.

Digest of Citation reads:On 22nd and 23rd of January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, a distant room of the hospital had been held for more than an hour by three privates, and when finally they had no ammunition left the Zulus burst in and killed one of the men and two patients. One of the men, Private J.Williams (Reg No.1313)however succeeded in making a hole in the wall large enough to get through,and taking the last two patients into the next ward, where he found Private Hook. Working together; the two men, one holding the Zulus at a distance with his bayonet, while the other managed to knock through three more partitions; and they were able to bring eight patients into the inner line of defence

After his discharge in 1880, he resided at Sydenham Hill and worked at the British Museum.
He retired in 1904 and returned to live in Gloucestershire. Interestingly, there is some mystery
about his first marriage. His wife thought he had been killed in South Africa and ran off with
someone else. Hook married again in 1897 in Islington.

He died of pulmonary tuberculosis on 12th March 1905 at Osborne Villas, Roseberry Avenue,
Gloucester and is buried at Churcham. He received his VC from Sir Garnet Wolseley,
GOC South Africa at Rorke's Drift on 3 August 1879. (His VC is in the South Wales Borderers Museum Collection).

Buried in St. Andrews Parish churchyard, Churcham, Near Gloucester. Diagonally opposite to
the entrance on the other side of the church.


<><><><><><><><><><

Year: 1850
Month: Sep
Day: 1
Parents_Surname: HOOK
Child_Forenames: Alfred
Fathers_Forenames: Henry
Mothers_Forenames: Ellen
Mothers_Surname:
Residence: Birdwood
Occupation: Labourer
Officiating_Minister: Geo.C.Hall Vicar
Event: Baptism
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P83 IN 1/10
Page_Number: 14
Parish_Chapel: Churcham


1851
Henry Hook abt 1829 Churcham, Gloucestershire, England Head Churcham, Gloucestershire
Helen Hook abt 1831 Churcham, Gloucestershire, England Wife Churcham, Gloucestershire
Alfred Hook abt 1850 Churcham, Gloucestershire, England Son Churcham, Gloucestershire


1861
Henry Hoak abt 1832 Churcham, Gloucestershire, England Head Churcham, Gloucestershire
Eleanor Hoak abt 1834 Churcham, Gloucestershire, England Wife Churcham, Gloucestershire
Alfred Hoak abt 1851 Churcham, Gloucestershire, England Son Churcham, Gloucestershire
Ellen Hoak abt 1860 Churcham, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Churcham, Gloucestershire
Henry Hoak abt 1857 Churcham, Gloucestershire, England Son Churcham, Gloucestershire
James Hoak abt 1854 Churcham, Gloucestershire, England Son Churcham, Gloucestershire
Mary Hoak abt 1853 Churcham, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Churcham, Gloucestershire

1871 Newent
Alfred Hook 21
Comfort Hook 20 Kilcot
John Jones 50
Ann Jones 48

1881 Glendower St
Henry (V.C.) Hook abt 1854 Churcham, Gloucestershire, England Servant Monmouth, Monmouthshire

1891

Name: Ada Lettia Taylor
Name: Alfred Henry Hook
Year of Registration: 1897
Quarter of Registration: Apr-May-Jun
District: Islington
County: Greater London, London, Middlesex
Volume: 1b
Page: 546

1901
Henry Hook abt 1854 Gloucestershire, England Head Islington, London
Ada Hook abt 1864 London, England Wife Islington, London
Catherine Hook abt 1899 London, England Daughter Islington, London"
Back to top Go down
RainQueen

RainQueen


Posts : 4
Join date : 2014-09-22
Age : 63
Location : Bayside, Melbourne

I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor Empty
PostSubject: Re: I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor   I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor EmptyWed Sep 24, 2014 10:35 am

This bioprofile was prepared a few years back by one of my mob of Hook descendents
in Australia [G.V.C.], with information that was available to him at the time.

It details the common paternal ancestor in the 18th Century as James HOOK.


Alfred (Henry) Hook VC
1850 – 1905


Christened Alfred Hook and born in Birdwood near Churcham in Gloucestershire, Alfred was known variously as Alfred, Alfred Henry, Henry, even Henry Albert Hook during his life.

He would be a half second cousin to the children of James Hook who emigrated to Victoria in 1853. Whilst he is a distant relative to our family, his life has been recorded and his story is interesting and worth recounting.

His father was Henry Hook, his grandfather Richard Hook. Richard was a half-brother to
Daniel Hook [1785-1836]. Daniel is my GGG-grandfather.


Daniel and Richard Hook’s father, James Hook, born 1754 (wife Elizabeth HARPER) is therefore the common link, with the two boys being the offspring of different mothers.

One of Daniel's sons, James Hook (1824-1892) married Anna Hudson (1831-1872) and they
emigrated to Australia on "The Hope" arriving on 18 March 1853. Their children, for the most part, flourished and did very well for themselves. Ballarat region is swarming with Hooks. If you shake hands with one, check to make sure you still have your watch

The Census records were gleaned for this information:

In 1861 Alfred at the age of 11 was working already, as a wood cutter, the same occupation as his father. They would have been working in the area around Churcham in Gloucestershire. [Highnam Woods when they were still woods, methinks]

He married Comfort Jones in Newent in Gloucs in 1870 and in 1871 they were living in Newent, with Comfort’s parents boarding with them.

Presumably they had moved to Monmouthshire in Wales by 1874 where Alfred joined the Royal Monmouth Militia.

In March 1877 he joined the regular army in the 24th Regiment Foot Royal Fusiliers and saw service in South Africa in the Anglo-Zulu War. On 22/23 of January 1879 he was involved in a desperate action at Rourke’s Drift in Natal, subsequently being awarded the Victoria Cross. The story of the action was that the Zulus attacked a temporary hospital at Rourke’s Drift station and in an action protecting patients at the hospital, several soldiers and patients were separated at the far end of the hospital. The fighting continued for over an hour until the soldiers ran out of ammunition and the attackers set fire to the thatch roof of the building. The Zulus were able to overpower the defenders, killing one of the soldiers and several of the patients. The remaining soldier then broke down the partition wall into the next ward where Alfred was stationed and managed to move two patients there. Then with one holding the Zulus at bay with his bayonet, the other progressively broke down three more partition walls until they reached an inner defensive position, in the process managing to save 8 patients.

Alfred received a scalp wound from a spear that dislodged his helmet in the action, and as a result of their actions, both were awarded the Victoria Cross. Both men were privates at that point, and Alfred was later promoted to Corporal.

The action has been recounted in the film “Zulu”, however, as is common in commercial films, fiction has supplanted fact and Alfred is depicted as an unruly drunken Londoner. In fact he was a teetotaller, from Gloucestershire, and shortly before the Rourke’s Drift action had been awarded Good Conduct pay.

In June 1880 Alfred resigned from the regular army, later serving for 20 years in the 1st Volunteer battalion, Royal Fusiliers, attaining the rank of Sergeant-Instructor. His return to civilian life was difficult however, as, basically illiterate with no special skills, he had to rely on goodwill and his merit to find meaningful employment. With his mother and sister in Wales, he was living in Monmouth in 1881 and was a groomsman to George Willis, a GP and surgeon.

He was recorded as Henry Hook V.C. Later that year, Alfred applied for work as a labourer with a government body, and the envelope holding his application in the name Henry Hook, makes interesting reading.

Held by the British Museum, dated 30 Sept 1881, it notes his action at Rourke’s Drift and the award of the V.C., recommendations by the clerk of works, as well as Major Bromhead, the Prince of Wales and Princess Christian. It has then been noted by Lord Chelmsford that “Hook cannot be appointed at present because he is not able to read or write”.

The envelope has then been crossed “Engaged as Labourer Dec 26 1881”. He was employed at the British Museum, initially as an “inside duster”, later being promoted to “hold reader’s umbrellas”. (Lord Chelmsford had been the Commanding Officer of the English forces during the Anglo-Zulu war.)

In the meantime Comfort and their son and two daughters were noted in 1881 and 1891 living with her parents in Newent. Under the misapprehension that Alfred had been killed in South Africa, she remarried in Gloucestershire in 1895. Subsequently in Nov 1896 Alfred petitioned for divorce from Comfort, noting David Meyrick as co-respondent with her.

The divorce was granted in Jan 1897 and in May that year, Alfred married Ada Letitia Taylor, interestingly noting that he was a “bachelor”, and able to sign his name by then.

In 1901 Alfred and Ada were living at 15 Sealy St, Islington, London, with Alfred noted as an attendant at the British Museum.

In 1904 he retired from the Museum due to ill-health and returned to Gloucestershire with his family. On 12 March 1905 at the age of 54, he died from TB at 2 Osborne Villas, Roseberry Ave, Gloucester. He and Ada had two daughters.


For the meantime, this version is standing as a first draft while more information is being collected, that will sort out any inconsistencies. Harry Hook's service in South Africa runs parallel to, and is a prelude, to more directly related, branch of my family that were over there during the time of the Boer Concentration Camps and the Second Anglo-Boer War.

Been a serendipitious overlap of two discrete branches. I might be able to pull a family saga trilogy out of my hat. A bodice-ripper. Rungles in the jumbles and all that. Drink. Bonk. Pass Out.

So that's that....

thank you, goodnight and may your
gawd go with you.

Rain Queen

Back to top Go down
http://toughangels.org
 
I am interested in what happened to Harry's younger daughters with Ada Taylor
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1
 Similar topics
-
» This website is loaded with Information for those interested in Genealogy.
» Gunner William George Taylor
» AZW. Is anyone in the world really interested or do they care for that matter?

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
WWW.1879ZULUWAR.COM  :: GENEALOGY-
Jump to: