Patrick Johnstone Colloty

Posts : 26 Join date : 2015-09-17

I read a family story of one Patrick Johnstone Colloty, son of Michael and Bridget Colloty of Ireland.

It's claimed that Patrick "fought with Prince Napoleon", or "was his bodyguard during the Boer War". Clearly the latter is out of the question, as Prince Napoleon died in 1879 and the 1st Boer War was fought from 16th December 1880.

Another family member recalls he was "personal assistant of Prince Napoloen<sic> in Natal, South Africa".

I did a little research and found Patrick Johnstone Colloty was a POW in Ceylon. A little further research confirmed he was captured at Bethlehem and sent to Diyatalawa in Ceylon on the vessel Bavarian (September 8-10 1900). One of the 19 Uitlanders arriving that day with the 1230 Free Staters and 42 Transvaalers? Or perhaps he was considered a Free Stater (having been captured in Bethlehem)?

Either way, is it safe to conclude that he may have been part of General Marthinus Prinsloo's force that surrendered July the 29th, 1900?

The BIG question remains, however, whether he had formerly been in a British regiment and, perhaps following the death of Prince Napoleon, had ended up in the Free State? scratch

Subject: Patrick Johnstone Colloty Mon Dec 12, 2016 6:40 am

Hi anorakABO
I checked the Index of Ian Knight's ' With His Face To The Foe , The Life And Death Of Louis Napoleon , The Prince Imperial Zululand 1879 ' , no mention of anyone named Colloty .
90th Shocked

Posts : 26 Join date : 2015-09-17

Thanks 90th. I'm still interested to know whether Patrick Johnstone Colloty served in a British regiment and, if so, what made him switch sides during Second Boer War. No doubt a woman! Very Happy

Subject: Patrick Johnstone Colloty Wed Dec 14, 2016 8:58 am

He could've enlisted under an Alias , many troops did so . Very Happy

90th

Posts : 2871 Join date : 2010-06-02

Seems quite likely that "Prinsloo" and "Prince Louis Napoleon" are being confused here?

Steve

Subject: Re: Patrick Johnstone Colloty Wed Dec 14, 2016 6:37 pm

AnorakABO,

Pte. 65th Brigade/2364 P. Collity, 94th Regiment, would have been entitled to the SAGS Medal with the bar 1879, had he not chosen to desert from his regiment whilst in South Africa.

Medal returned unissued.

The 94th served in Transvaal post the Anglo-Zulu War, first against the baPedi people and subsequently in the 1st Anglo-Boer War.

I would suggest that you discover where and when he deserted by consulting the Pay & Muster Rolls of the 94th at the National Archives.

John Y.

Subject: Re: Patrick Johnstone Colloty Thu Nov 02, 2017 12:30 pm

The mysterious Patrick Johnstone Colloty was my gggrandfather who I have been researching for many years. I have recently discovered through DNA testing, his family in Ireland and New Zealand.
Patrick married a Hanora SULLIVAN in January 1879, in Curravough, Ireland. In September 1879, Hanora gave birth to Bridget Culloty who sadly died before December 1879.
The birth entry of Bridget states the father as Patrick who was living in Buttavent and his occupation was a Soldier.
His Father Michael died in 1879 in Ireland as well.
So I agree that Patrick could not have been Prince Napoleon’s bodyguard as stated by AnorakABO.
I have a copy of his claim for compensation from the British Government for losses incurred during the Boer War and he states that he was riding into Harrismith to hand himself over as he didn’t want to fight, when he was arrested in 1900 and sent to Ceylon.
By this time he was already married to a Christine Killian and had a whole brood of children. They married in February 1887 and their first child was born in 1888.
I think your reference to him in 94th Regiment is probably the information to persue regarding his Military record. I will be trying to find him in these records on what is available online.

Regards
Lisette.

» William Patrick O'Brien. A Rorke's Drift Veteran's Reminiscences
» Pte Patrick Walsh
» John Patrick Seeler