Description
South Africa Zulu War Medal 1877-9, bar 1879, 2076 Pte Edward Steel, 99th Duke of Edinburgh’s Lanarkshire Regiment, during the campaign they fought at Gingindlovu 2nd April 1879.
Officially engraved: “2076 Pte E. Steel. 99th Foot”
Confirmed on the medal roll, as entitled to the medal and the 1879 Clasp, for the Zulu War.
The roll notes at the time of writing at Bermuda in September 1880 he was still serving with the Regiment.
Some edge damage to start of unit about 4 o’clock obscuring the “F” in “Foot” and general pitting and polishing, suspension slack.
Not the best condition but a genuine officially named medal to a Soldier who fought in the Zulu War.
The bottom of this article from the Regimental Museum recalls the services of the 99th in the Zulu War:
https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/research/history-regiments/99th-lanarkshire-regiment-1824-1881
Traditionally being a Scottish Regiment, the 99th Foot fought through the war in South Africa during 1879, before moving over to Bermuda in 1880, but returned back to South Africa in 1881.
During that year the regiment would cease to exist, becoming the 2nd Battalion of the newly formed “Wiltshire Regiment”.
In late 1878, the 99th Foot landed in South Africa and were preparing for the Zulu War.
They were assigned to Lord Chelmsford’s Column, where they marched to the relief of the British Forces under Colonel Charles Pearson who were under siege by the Zulu.
Notably the 99th saw fighting at the Battle of Gingindlovu on 2nd April 1879 where the 99th helped to defeat the Zulu when they tried to overrun the British whilst laagered (encamped).
During the battle the British formed a defensive Laager in a square shape protecting the cattle and wagons in the centre.
The 99th Foot deployed their 5 companies to hold the centre of the left side of the square, with HMS Shah’s Naval Brigade on their left with the 2/3rd Foot on their right.
An illustrative painting, by Vernon W. Jones, a Welsh Seascape and Landscape Artist was posted here, displaying the men in their uniforms holding their side of the square:
