Description
South Africa 1877-9, aka Zulu War Medal, bar 1877-8-9, 1774 Private Harry Johnston, 1st Bn 24th Regiment of Foot, Killed in Action at Isandhlwana on 22nd January 1879 when the 24th was slaughtered.
Whilst Harry never returned home, he was still commemorated on the family gravestone in his home village of Appledore, after over 100 years, the damaged grave was kindly restored by the Appledore Local History Society during 2018, this grave was also visited by the Anglo Zulu War Society during 2011.
Officially engraved: “1774 Pte H. Johnston. 1/24th Foot.”
Confirmed on the medal roll. In excellent preserved condition.
According to the medal roll “1774 Pte H. Johnston” was at first “Engaged against the Gaikas, Galekas and other Kaffir Tribes 1877-8” and also “Engaged against the Zulus 1879” entitling him to the scarce triple dated clasp, it also noted at the time of issue he was “Dead”.
Harry Johnston fell in action at the Battle of Isanhlwana, aka Isandula or iSandlwana on 22nd January 1879.
On this famous and infamous day, the British Forces had about 1,800 British, Colonial and Native Troops on hand when they were attacked by an overwhelming force for about 20,000 Zulu Warriors, whilst they fought desperately taking with them 3k-5k Zulu’s the defenders of the camp were almost all slaughtered, in total losing about 1300 men killed, with only few fortunate survivors.
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Isandlwana
Henry “Harry” Johnston, aka Johnson, was a Kent man, born in Aldington and raised in Appledore, Kent.
Being born there in 1853, the son of George Johnson, a Blacksmith, and Amy Johnson nee Earll, shown in Appledore on the 1861 Census as a young boy.
He had joined the 24th Foot circa 1871, being recorded as “Posted to Service Companies” on 4th January 1871.
After his death in action, this medal and his effects were claimed by his poor father George.
A local obituary was also placed in his local paper, the Kentish Express on Saturday, 5th April 1879 reading:
“DEATHS, Jan 22nd, Killed in the disaster at Isandula, Harry Johnson, 1st Batt, 24th Regiment, the eldest son of George Johnson of Appledore, formerly of Aldington, aged 26 years.”
Following his death, even though his body could never be recovered and brought home for a proper burial, he was commemorated on the family gravestone on the other side of the world back home in Appledore.
Sadly over time the grave had became damaged, but thanks to the Appledore Local History Society, they organised and paid for the family grave with a large Cross above it, to be restored during 2018, photographs of the gravestone and a small article can be read below at AppledoreHistory.org.uk:
https://appledorehistory.org.uk/bygone-appledore/zulu-war-battle-isandlwana/
The entry on the grave reads:
“ALSO OF HARRY JOHNSON (24th REGT) Killed in Action at the Battle of Isandula on January 22nd 1879, Aged 26 Years.”
Many years later during 2011, the Anglo Zulu War Society during their exhibition weekend paid a visit to Appledore and visited Harry’s grave taking a number of photos before the grave was restored to its former glory.
Appledore Churchyard also features a Memorial Window to Lt Henry Charles Jenkins of the 17th Lancers who was severely wounded at Ulundi, he later retired as a Colonel, and is fittingly buried in the Churchyard with Harry.
