Description
South Africa 1877-9, aka Zulu War Medal, bar 1879, 1832 Private Robert Howes, 1st Battalion 24th Regiment of Foot, aka South Wales Borderers.
Officially engraved: “1832 Pte R. Howes 1-24th Foot”
Particularly good preserved condition.
Confirmed on the medal roll for the medal and clasp 1879, the roll marked “Yes” for “Whether engaged against the Zulus in 1879”.
The roll notes he was at the time of the issue of the medal serving in the 32nd (Cornwall) Regiment, following the end of the regiment many men moved on to other units.
Also noted of course in Norman Holme’s “The Noble 24th” Book which recalls the same.
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 whilst 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.
Following on from the end of the Zulu War, Robert joined the 32nd Foot, which about this time underwent the “Childer’s Reforms” amalgamating with the 46th Foot to create the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.
He is then shown with them on the 1881 Army Census, now with service number 1490 as a Private in the 1st Bn Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, stationed with them at Aldershot in the “35th Brigade”.
He would likely be one of only a few walking around in the DCLI with a Campaign Medal on their chest, let alone the Zulu Medal as the 32nd had only seen such service recently in the 1857-9 Indian Mutiny and the 46th in Crimea.
