Description
South Africa “Zulu” Medal, bar 1879, 1900 Corporal John Stockton, 94th Regiment of Foot, who fought in the Zulu War of 1879 and the First Anglo Boer War of 1880-1881.
Officially engraved: “1900 Corpl J. Stockon. 94th Foot”
Good preserved condition.
Confirmed on the medal roll, with copy service papers.
Also with digital copies of his muster and pay list entries for the period of the Zulu War and Boer War.
For some reason, having already served almost 11 of his 12 years terms of engagement, he paid his way out of the army during his time serving in Bermuda during 1889, giving his forwarding address as Broadway in New York City, USA.
Notably during his service he took part in the Anglo Zulu war of 1879, where he would earn this medal.
During the war, the 94th Foot would see fighting in the Battle of Ulundi during July 1879.
Following the end of the war they would also take part in the successful attack on Sekukuni’s Stronghold on 28th November 1879 during the early part of the Basuto Gun War, the Regiment would earn 2 Victoria Crosses for this action.
After that was done, the regiment remained in South Africa on Garrison duties, becoming one of the unlucky British Army Regiments to fight in the upcoming First Anglo Boer War of 1880-81.
During the Opening clash of the First Boer War, A & F Companies of the 94th Foot were attacked in the Battle of Bronkhorstspruit where they would take significant casualties losing 156 men killed or wounded with the rest taken as Prisoners of War.
The other 6 companies would end up under siege for the rest of the war.
According to the Pay List that records his service during this time, from 1st October 1880 to 31st March 1881, they appear to have been stationed at “Standerton, Transvaal SA”.
The 94th Regt would spend 88 days under siege by the Boers in Standerton, from 29th December 1880 until 26th March 1881.”
John Stockon was born in the Parish of St Thomas, Lancaster, Lancashire during 1854.
His brother was James Davis Stockon.
He first attested for service with the “65 Brigade” at Worcester on 17th October 1878, having previously worked as a Clerk.
Service details from his records:
“Home, 15th October 1878 – 25th Feb 1879
South Africa, 28th February 1879 – 3rd September 1884
Home, 4th September 1884 – 25th October 1885.
Bermuda, 26th October 1885 – 8th August 1889.
Campaigns fought: “Zulu 1879, Boer Operations 1880-1”
He joined the 94th Foot, known as the “Scotch Brigade” on 15th October 1878.
During the Anglo Zulu War he gained promotion to Lance Corporal on 8th March 1879.
Then Corporal on 15th April 1879.
He would however be found Drunk on Duty, leading to 3 weeks in prison and reduced to private from 7th December 1879 until 22nd December 1879.
He would remain as a Private throughout the period of the Anglo Boer War of 1880-81.]
In July 1881 he became a founding member of the “Connaught Rangers”, as the 94th Foot were amalgamated with the 88th Regiment of Foot.
On 31st August 1881 he transferred over to the Army Service Corps and signed on to extend his service to complete 12 years.
He would return to NCO rank, being appointed Lance Corporal on 24th September 1884, then 2nd Corporal on 11th February 1885 and then Promoted to Corporal on 24th February 1886.
However on 14th June 1886 he was caught again being “Drunk on Duty” being tried and reduced on 21st June 1886 back to Private again.
He was discharged following almost 3 years in Bermuda on 8th August 1889, having served 10 years 299 days.
Rather unusually he chose to take his discharge in Bermuda by Purchase, even though he was close to finishing his 12 year contract, and gave his intended place of residence as “67 Broadway New York, USA”.
