Private George Comberton

Private George Comberton served during the Zulu Wars, a Belfast-born volunteer who subsequently settled in the east end of London where he established a successful chain of butcher’s shops.

Private 1901 George Comberton 1st 24th
Service continued in South Wales Borderers 1st July 1881. Discharged 24th July 1882. South Africa Medal with Clasp 1879. His regimental service number was 1901.

A very dubious account of Comberton’s actions in South Africa 22-23/1/1879 were published in Essex Countryside Magazine April 1966. Interesting to note that he did not arrive in South Africa until May 1879 as he was part of the draft aboard the Clyde which left Woolwich on 1 March 1879.

He died at 150a Keppel Road, East Ham, London, England 3/1/1919 aged 68 years. Buried in Old East Ham Cemetery, Norman Road, East Ham.

"GEORGE COMBERTON – TIMELINE


1851/2 – Born Belfast

1870 – Estimated date of joining the Army. (Army papers yet to be looked for).

1879 – Regimental No. 1901 with 1-24th Foot - came out with the draft which left Woolwich on 1 March 1879. Originally from 37th Foot. Born in Belfast but lived in East Ham.

1881 – Census. Still in the Army 1-24th Foot. Census shows a number of NCO’s and soldiers in barracks at Harwich.

1882 – Discharged from the Army June 1882

1886 – Married Mahala Williams (about age 23). Assumed to be the same GC, but not confirmed. Fate of marriage & Mahala unknown.

1888 – Married Annie Sophia Godbold (widow). – Annie Cheshire married Arthur Godbold in 1874. Arthur died in the 2nd quarter 1877 age 26, and their son Arthur in the last quarter of 1877 age 2. Annie Esther B was born in the 3rd Quarter 1877

1891 – Census. Now a Greengrocer. Living with wife Annie and stepdaughter Annie in East Ham.

1901 – Census – Still a Greengrocer, this time in Hampstead with wife stepdaughter and two greengrocer assistants.

1909 – Stepdaughter Annie marries under her birth name of Godbold. Marries James Donald Cameron

1910 – Stepdaughter Annie has a son Donald J A Cameron 4th Quarter (West Ham registrar’s district)

1911 – Census – Recorded as a Butcher, and living with wife Annie (East Ham)

1911 – Stepdaughter Annie living in East Ham with Husband (recorded as Donald) and 6 month old son (recorded as James)

1919 – GC Died of Influenza 1st Quarter (West Ham registrar’s district). Buried in the cemetery at East Ham parish church.

1920 – Wife Annie dies 4th Quarter (West Ham registrar’s district)

1964 – Zulu film released

1966 – Article written by Donald Cameron on GC appears in the Essex County Magazine.

1977 – Donald James A Cameron dies 4th quarter (Barking registrars district). Date of birth given as 9.11.1910

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Source: ebay.

Seems to be a lot wrong with the story , can't have been at RD if he came out in the March Draft , I gave up then .
90th