Description
Queen’s South Africa, bar Cape Colony, 709 Private Henry Ambler Longbottom, Prince Alfred Volunteer Guards, came to SA with brother in 1880s, from Dublin.
Officially impressed: “709 Pte H. Longbottom. Prince Alf: Vol: Gd:”
Confirmed on the Medal Roll.
Private Longbottom is on the list of recipients note in the Regimental History who were presented with their medals in a presentation ceremony and parade after the war at the Feather Market Hall.
The book “The Longbottom Family: Dublin to South Africa 1781 to 1994” has the following details regarding him:
“Henry Ambler, came to South Africa with his younger brother Rigby Sharpe in late 1880, where he fought in the Boer War as a member of the Prince Alfred’s Voluntary Guard in 1901-1902 for which he received the Queen’s South African medal and the Kings South African Medal for services rendered.
The receipt of his medals at the Feather Market Hall is mentioned in the History of the Prince Alfred’s Guard, 1856-1966 by Neil Orpen.
Henry Ambler William Longbottom was born in Dublin on 8th August 1861.
The son of Richard Longbottom and Sarah Jane (Ambler), his middle name came from his mother’s maiden name.
At the age of 19 in the aftermath of the Zulu and First Boer War, a young 19 year old or so Henry along with his younger brother who was about 15 came to South Africa.
Henry later died at the age of 74 on 3rd October 1935, having worked as an “Overseer” living in Port Elizabeth.
