Description
South Africa 1877-9, aka Zulu War Medal, bar 1879, 1834 Private W. Johnston, 1st Battalion 24th Regiment of Foot.
Officially engraved: “1834 Pte W. Johnston. 1-24th Foot”
Confirmed on the medal roll for the medal and 1879 clasp, for being “engaged against the Zulus in 1879”.
The roll notes that after the end of the war, he transferred over to the 1st 11th Devonshire Regiment.
The same information is noted in Norman Holme’s Book “The Noble 24th”.
The most famous regiment involved in the South African Wars of 1877-79, was undoubtedly the 24th Regiment of Foot, aka the South Wales Borderers, for their services in the Zulu War earning the “1879” clasp.
Both battalions were mobilised for active service crossing Buffalo River into Zululand on 11th January 1879, leading into the Battle of Isandhlwana where a large number of the 24th were left behind in the camp and slaughtered, whilst some were lucky to be out of the camp at the time or where on route to join them.
Meanwhile nearby a small number of men, majority of them from the 24th Foot, were present at the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, receiving 7 of the Victoria Crosses awarded.
