968 Private MOFFATT Thomas
Attested on 13/12/76. Posted to 2/24th on 22/1/77. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Transferred from B to G Company on 29/1/79. Served in India and returned to England on 27/1/83. Date of discharge not recorded. Died at Runcorn, Cheshire, aged 80 years. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘B’ rolls, on ‘D’ list.)
1342 Private MORRIS Augustus
Born at Dublin, Co. Dublin; trade – labourer. Attested at Liverpool on 3/3/77, aged 20 years. Description: 5ft 7in tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes, red hair. Religion: R/C. Served in South Africa, Gibraltar, India and Burma (IGS Medal with clasp ‘Burma 1885–7’). Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Appointed lance corporal on 5/2/79. Reverted to private on 21/10/79. Served in South Wales Borderers but did not transfer to regiment. Appointed lance corporal 12/6/86. Transferred to army reserve on 18/12/87. Discharged on 5/3/89. Next of kin: sister – Mrs Hughes, 46 Oliver Street, Bootle, Liverpool. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘B’ rolls, on ‘D’ list.)
525 Private MORRIS Frederick
Attested at Liverpool on 4/12/74, aged 19 years. Posted to 2/24th on 13/12/76. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Posted to India and died of disease at Secunderabad on 26/9/83. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘B’ rolls, on ‘D’ list.)
1371 Private MORRISON Thomas
Attested on 8/3/77. Posted to 2/24th on 11/5/77. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Served in India and returned to England on 26/4/83. Date of discharge not recorded. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘B’ rolls, on ‘D’ list.)
662 Private MURPHY John
Attested at Tredegar on 22/11/75, aged 19 years. Posted to 2/24th on 6/1/76. Name amended from John to James in various documents. Confined on 11/2/78 and sentenced to receive 25 lashes. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Returned to England from India on 28/10/83. Date of discharge not recorded. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ roll where his name is given as James, and ‘Ba’ roll, on list.)
1279 Private NEVILLE William
Born at Wigan, Lancashire; trade – collier. Attested at Liverpool on 23/2/77, aged 19 years. Description: 5ft 5¼in tall, fresh complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair. Religion: C/E. Served in South Africa, Gibraltar and India. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Transferred to army reserve on 21/6/83. Married Sarah Elizabeth Graham at Incein-Makerfield on 1/6/80. Confined by Civil Power on 30/11/85, tried and convicted of assault and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment with hard labour. Released from prison on 18/5/87, he then completed his service in the army reserve and was discharged on 25/2/89. (He signed his service documents ‘William Nevil’ which may be the correct spelling of his surname). Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘Ba’ rolls, on ‘D’ list.)
1257 Private NORRIS Robert
Born at Liverpool, Lancashire; trade – labourer. Attested at Liverpool on 22/2/77, aged 19 years 2 months. Description: 5ft 7¼in tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. Religion: C/E. Served in South Africa, India and Mediterranean. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Transferred to army reserve on 28/6/83. Rejoined for army service in the Royal Sussex Regiment (1922) on 5/5/85. Appointed lance corporal 18/8/86. Promoted corporal 17/12/86. Reverted to private on 27/7/87. Re-engaged on 29/2/88. Transferred to Corps of Military Foot Police (301) on 1/8/88. He was admitted to hospital at the Curragh on 14/9/89 suffering from the effects of a specific disease he had acquired in India in 1882. Following examination by a medical board at the Curragh Camp, Ireland, on 13/6/89, it was found that the disease had affected his heart. He was declared unfit for further service and invalided from the army on 17/7/89. Next of kin: uncle, J. Norris, 15 Hind Street, Edge Hill, Liverpool. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘B’ roll only.)
1480 Private OSBORNE William
Attested at Pontypool on 28/11/77. Posted to 2/24th on 26/1/78. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Posted to India and returned to England in October 1883. Date of discharge not recorded. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘B’ rolls, on ‘D’ list.)
1399 Private PARRY Samuel
Born at Sirhowy, Tredegar; trade – labourer. Attested at Monmouth on 23/5/77, aged 20 years. Previously served in Monmouthshire Militia. Description: 5ft 5½in tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes, light hair. Religion: C/E. Served in South Africa. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Following an attack of fever in January 1879 he was examined by a medical board at Pinetown on 29/1/80 and recommended for return to England. On arrival at Netley he was again examined by a medical board and found to be suffering from chronic rheumatism, which had originally been manifested at Rorke’s Drift in 1879. The cause of his disability was attributed to the climate and military service as ‘His regiment underwent exposure’. He was found unfit for further service and invalided from the army on 25/5/80. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘B’ roll.)
1410 Private PARTRIDGE William
Born at St Paul’s, Ross, Hereford; trade – labourer. Attested at Newport on 5/6/77, aged 20 years. Previously served in Monmouthshire Militia. Description: 5ft 6¼in tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. Religion: C/E. Served in South Africa and Gibraltar. Served in G Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. In his letter Bourne, then Colour Sergeant of B Company in 1878, mentions that his batman was named Partridge. William Partridge may possibly have been this man, having been transferred to G Company prior to the action at Rorke’s Drift; however, it is strange that Bourne failed to include him in his original ‘Roll of Defenders’. He served the South Wales Borderers but did not transfer to the regiment. Married to Mary Letitia at Brecon on 15/11/80. Discharged at Davenport on 11/11/81, as unfit for further service, and awarded a 12 months conditional pension of 7d. per diem. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘Ba’ rolls, also on ‘D’ list.)
1186 Private PITTS Samuel
Attested on 14/2/77. Posted to 2/24th on 22/2/77. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Posted to India and returned to England on 26/4/83. Date of discharge not traced. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ roll and ‘D’ list, incorrectly named as Pitt in both.)
1286 Private ROBINSON Thomas
Born at St Patrick’s, Dublin, Co. Dublin; trade – none. Attested at Bow Street Police Court, London, on 23/2/77, aged 24 years. Description: 5ft 9in tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. Served in South Africa, Gibraltar and India. Confined on 24/4/78, convicted of disgraceful conduct ‘In losing a pair of boots’ and imprisoned on 27/4/78. Released on 29/7/78. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Served in South Wales Borderers from 1/7/81 but did not transfer to regiment. Transferred to army reserve on 21/6/83, discharged on 25/2/89. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘B’ rolls, also on ‘D’ list.)
1065 Private RUCK James
Attested on 18/1/77. Posted to 2/24th on 31/1/77. Promoted corporal 12/1/78. Reduced to private 17/7/78. Served in South Africa and India. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Appointed lance corporal 23/1/79. Transferred to G Company on 14/3/79. Promoted corporal 30/4/79. Reduced to private on 13/10/79. Promoted corporal 15/5/81. Reduced to private 14/3/82. Placed on unattached list on 28/11/86 whilst serving at Madras, India. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘B’ roll only.)
1185 Private SAVAGE Edward
Born at St Woolas, Newport, Monmouth; trade – labourer. Attested at Cardiff on 8/2/77, aged 19 years. Previously served in Monmouthshire Militia. Description: 5ft 4¾in tall, fresh complexion, blue eyes, light brown hai
r. Religion: R/C. Served in South Africa only. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Transferred from B to G Company on 29/1/79. Served in South Wales Borderers from 1/7/81 but did not transfer to regiment. Married Joanna McCarthy on 26/3/83. Transferred to Army Reserve on 11/2/83. Whilst serving at Gosport in 1880 he acquired a specific disease that eventually rendered him unfit for further service. He was discharged from the army reserve on 20/6/92, having been admitted to Glamorgan County Asylum. A medical certificate dated 6/6/92 was provided by the institution and sent to the Regimental Headquarters at Brecon, together with a letter written at 137 Wellington Street, Canton, Cardiff. The letter is signed ‘Mary Savage, Wife’ and it can only be presumed he had remarried. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ roll and ‘D’ list.)
1051 Private SCANLON John
Attested on 16/1/77. Posted to 2/24th on 31/1/77. He served in A Company and was a patient in the hospital at Rorke’s Drift. Killed in action. Effects claimed by his mother. Mentioned in Lieutenant Chard’s official report on the action. He is buried in the cemetery at Rorke’s Drift and his name appears on the monument. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘B’ rolls.)
2404 Private SEARS Arthur
Born at Sunbury, Kingston, Middlesex; trade – labourer. Attested at Little Warley on 14/2/73, aged 19 years. Description: 5ft 9in tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair. Religion: C/E. Served in South Africa, Mediterranean, India and Burma. Was at Kneller Hall School of Military Music in 1874–5. Appointed bandsman 4/2/78. Served in A Company and was presumably a patient in the hospital at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Transferred to South Wales Borderers (SWB 1404) on 1/7/81. Promoted corporal 6/3/83, sergeant 1/4/84. Served in Burma (IGS Medal and clasp ‘Burma 1887–89’). Re-engaged at Madras on 30/1/85. Married Emma Patrick at Secunderabad on 14/8/82. Children: Mildred Clara (b. 14/9/83), Arthur John (b. 12/9/85), Alice Emma (b. 4/1/89). Awarded LSGC Medal on 4/10/92. Discharged on 14/2/94. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ roll incorrectly shows as Pears, given correctly on ‘Ba’ roll and on ‘D’ list.)
1618 Private SHEARMAN George
Born at Hayes, Middlesex; trade – labourer. Attested at Westminster on 4/11/64, aged 17 years. Description: 5ft 5½in tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. Served in India, South Africa, Mediterranean and Burma. Re-engaged at Secunderabad on 6/7/72. Promoted corporal 2/6/74. Reduced to private 11/7/74. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Appointed lance corporal 5/2/79. Reduced to private on 18/11/79. (Followed by several promotions and demotions.) Served in South Wales Borderers but did not transfer to regiment. Discharged at Gosport on 14/12/86. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ roll only, incorrectly named as Sherman, as he is in medal roll, also on ‘D’ list.)
914 Private SHERGOLD John
Born at St George’s, London; trade – labourer. Attested at Coventry on 1/3/59, aged 18 years 3 months. Description: 5ft 5¾in tall, fresh complexion, hazel eyes, light brown hair. Served in Mauritius, India and South Africa. Re-engaged at Rangoon on 26/3/68. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. (He claimed compensation for his field kit, ‘lost at Isandlwana’.) Examined by a medical board at Pinetown on 15/11/79 and recommended for return to England. On arrival at Netley he was found to be suffering from debility and rheumatism and was declared to be ‘weakly and worn out’. Discharged as unfit for further service on 6/4/80. Intended residence: 43 East Road, Clapham. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Incorrectly shown in medal roll as J. Shergo.) (Ref. ‘B’ roll only.)
1005 Private SMITH John
Born at Wigan, Lancashire; trade – labourer. Attested at Ashton 24/12/76, aged 25 years. Previously served in Royal Lancashire Militia. Description: 5ft 7½in tall, fresh complexion, blue eyes, brown hair. Religion: C/E. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift where he was wounded in action. Examined by a medical board at Pietermaritzburg on 6/8/78 and recommended for return to England. Admitted to Netley on 20/9/79 and returned to duty on 10/10/79. To army reserve on 21/7/80. Rejoined 46 Brigade on 1/3/81 and posted to South Africa on 5/3/81. Injured by rupture on 10/5/81 on line of march in Natal. Returned to England 19/3/82 and transferred to Royal West Kent Regiment (46B/2333) on 1/7/81. Discharged at Dublin on 25/7/82 as unfit for further service. Intended place of residence: Bury, Lancashire. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘B’ roll only.)
777 Private STEVENS Thomas
Born at Exeter, Devonshire; trade – bricklayer. Attested at Brecon on 9/3/76, aged 22 years. Description: 5ft 5½in tall, dark complexion, brown eyes, black hair. Religion: C/E. Next of kin: father – ‘Robin Hood Inn’, Dowlais, Glamorgan. Served in South Africa, Gibraltar and India. Appointed lance corporal 20/1/77. Promoted corporal 12/8/77. Confined on 13/1/78, tried and reduced to private on 19/1/78. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Served in South Wales Borderers from 1/7/81 but did not transfer to regiment. Transferred to army reserve on 17/3/82 and recalled to army service on 2/8/82. Re-transferred to army reserve on 8/2/83. Married Ellen Calvert at Merthyr on 1/9/83. Discharged from army reserve on 16/3/88. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ roll which names him incorrectly as Stephens, named correctly on ‘Ba’ roll, also on ‘D’ list.)
1812 Private TASKER William
Born at St Martin’s, Birmingham; trade – buffer. Attested at Sheffield on 20/9/66, aged 20 years 7 months. Description: 5ft 6¼in tall, fair complexion, grey eyes, fair hair. Next of kin: brother – J. Tasker, 68 Church Street, Birmingham. Served in India, South Africa and Mediterranean. Reengaged at Warley on 20/8/73. Deserted on 10/3/74, rejoined on 25/3/74. Confined, tried and imprisoned on 30/3/74, released on 10/5/74. Appointed lance corporal 13/8/75. Reverted to private and confined on 26/5/77, tried on 2/6/77 and sentenced to 28 days imprisonment with hard labour. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift where he was wounded in action. Served in South Wales Borderers but did not transfer to regiment. Married Elizabeth Ridney at Brecon on 29/9/83. ‘Prematurely discharged for the benefit of the public service’ on 31/1/85. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘B’ rolls, also on ‘D’ list.)
973 Private TAYLOR Frederick
Attested at Newport on 9/12/76. Previously served in Royal Monmouth Militia. Posted to 2/24th on 22/1/77. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Died of disease at Pinetown, Natal, on 30/11/79. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’ issued on 29/8/81. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘B’ rolls.)
889 Private TAYLOR Thomas
Attested 16/11/76. To 2/24th, 25/11/76. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Returned to England 27/1/83. Date of discharge not recorded. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ and ‘B’ rolls, also ‘D’ list.)
1280 Private THOMAS John (Real name Peter Sawyer)
Born at Liverpool, Lancashire; trade – labourer. Attested at Liverpool on 23/2/77, aged 24 years. Description: 5ft 5¾in tall, sallow complexion, blue eyes, brown hair. Religion: R/C. Served in South Africa, Gibraltar and India. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. To South Wales Borderers on 1/7/81 but did not transfer to regiment. On 26/5/82, whilst stationed at Secunderabad, India, he signed (with his mark since he was illiterate) a declaration before the Cantonment Magistrate. The document states that he had enlisted under the assumed name of John Thomas and his true name was Peter Sawyer, as confirmed by his baptismal certificate. Married Annie Louisa Kelsey at Portsea, Hants, on 5/7/83. Discharge from army reserve on 25/2/89. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ roll only and ‘D’ list.)
1394 Private THOMPSON John
Attested at Brecon on 3/5/77. Posted to 2/24th on 26/1/78. Served in South Africa and India. Served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Appointed
lance corporal on 15/5/79. Reduced to private 6/12/79. Returned to England from India in October 1883. Date of discharge not recorded. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ roll only and ‘D’ list.)
879 Private TOBIN Michael
Born at Windgap, Co. Kilkenny; trade – labourer. Attested at Monmouth on 6/11/76, aged 20 years. Description: 5ft 9½in tall, fresh complexion, grey eyes, brown hair. Religion: R/C. Served in South Africa, Gibraltar and India. May have served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Confined on 4/7/79, tried and sentenced to receive 50 lashes – sentence remitted. Served in South Wales Borderers from 1/7/81 but did not transfer to regiment. Transferred to army reserve on 28/3/83. Married Margaret Mohan at Windgap in February 1886. Discharged from army reserve on 10/11/92. Intended residence: Ninemile House, Tipperary. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘B’ roll only – see next entry.)
641 Private TOBIN Patrick
Attested at Newport on 17/9/75, aged 18 years. Posted to 2/24th on 21/3/77. May have served in B Company at the defence of Rorke’s Drift. Appointed lance corporal in 1880 (precise date not recorded), but wrongly shown as ‘Michael Tobin’. Promoted corporal in April 1881, being again incorrectly named as ‘John Tobin’ – evidently he had been confused with 2698 Lance Corporal John Tobin who received the medal for South Africa without clasp. Returned to England on 28/10/81. Date of discharge not recorded. Medal for South Africa with clasp ‘1877–8–9’. (Ref. ‘C’ roll only and ‘D’ list. In view of the confusion regarding this man and 879 Pte Michael Tobin, it is impossible to determine whether either or both were present at the defence of Rorke’s Drift.)
1281 Private TODD William John
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