Description
South Africa Medal 1877-9, bar 1879, Zulu War, 306 Private George Floodgate, 3rd 60th Foot, the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.
Officially engraved: “306 Pte G. Floodgate. 3/60th Foot.”
Confirmed on the medal roll for the medal and clasp, noted “Yes” on the roll for “Whether engaged against the Zulus”.
Particularly well preserved example in good condition.
During the Zulu War of 1879, the 3rd 60th Foot aka the King’s Royal Rifles, arrived to join Lord Chelmsford’s Relief Column just in time to fight in the Battle of Gingindlovu on 1st April 1879 and the following relief of the Siege of Eshowe.
Also during his Army Service he would serve in the First Boer War, being confirmed on the muster rolls for the period as present with the battalion, during which the 3/60th would take part in both the actions at Ingogo River and the disastrous Battle of Majuba Hill.
Following this he was posted to Egypt for further active service, taking part in the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir, for which he is entitled to the Eypgt Medal, bar Tel-el-Kebir and a matching Khedive’s Bronze Star.
Royal Hospital Chelsea discharge books recall he was discharged to the Army Reserve during April 1887.
Floodgate is a rarely encountered name, very few medals being issued to this name, as it happens a “W. Floodgate” also served in the Egypt War, with the 3rd 60th Rifles, possibly a relative.
George Floodgate, was born circa 1856 in Elmers End, Beckenham, Kent, in South East London.
Sadly George died quite young and sudden during 1897, his death was recalled in the local Croydon Express on 11th September 1897:
“CORONER’S INQUEST, SUDDEN DEATH
On Saturday afternoon, Dr C.O. Fowler, the Deputy-Coroner, held and inquest at the Golden Lion, Stanley Road, respecting the death of George Floodgate, 39, a labourer, living at 26 Wortley Road.
The Widow deposed that the deceased returned home from work on Thursday evening and complained of pains in the chest. He had some tea, and soon afterwards went to bed. After some considerable time had elapsed, she heard a thud, and upon running up to the bedroom, she found the deceased lying on the floor insensible. She at once sent for Dr Henderson, but before that gentleman’s arrival her husband expired.
Dr Henderson gave evidence that upon making a post mortem examination, he found that the deceased had a severe rupture of the aorta, filling the pericardium with blood, ultimately causing death.
The jury being satisfied with the evidence, returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony.”
