Description
South Africa 1877-9, aka Zulu Medal, bar 1879, Able Seaman Tom Martin, HMS Shah, Naval Brigade in the Zulu War and present in the Battle against the Ironclad Huascar of the Peruvian Rebels.
Officially engraved: T. MARTIN. A.B. H.M.S. “SHAH”
Confirmed on the medal roll for both the medal and clasp 1879, this medal being recorded as “sent to party” on 31st August 1881.
Tom Martin served on board the Royal Navy Frigate HMS Shah from 10th December 1876 until 31st October 1879.
His period of service would include first the Battle of Pacocha, an unusual action were the British ships HMS Shah and the Amethyst engaged the Peruvian Rebel held Ironclad Monitor Huascar, leading to a naval battle.
During this action the Shah launched the first ever combat use of the self-propelled torpedo which had been newly invented and just entered the service.
Following on from this he saw service during the South African Wars of 1877-9, earning the clasp for 1879, when he joined the “Blue Jackets” of the Naval Brigade to go ashore and fight the Zulus up close.
Once ashore the Naval Brigade served with the Relief Column taking part in the Relief of Eshowe and also fought at the Battle of Gingindlovu.
Tom Martin, was born on 30th July 1856 in Sherborne, Dorset.
He began his naval service aged 17 as a Boy 1st Class at HMS Daedelus on 1st October 1873.
Joining HMS Achilles, he became of age and was rated Ordinary 2nd Class on 30th July 1874.
Having mostly served on various Training Ships and rose to Ordinary Seaman on the Training Ship Seaflower as of 1st March 1876, he was ready for a real ship.
His first ship would be a big one, joining HMS Shah first on 14th August 1876 – 28th November 1876, before rejoining after a brief time on HMS Duke of Wellington from 29th Nov 1876 – 9th Dec 1876.
He would then join HMS Shah serving on the ship from 10th December 1876 – 31st October 1879.
During this period he was advanced to A.B. Able Seaman on 1st September 1878.
Following his victorious return home after the Zulu War and also having taken on a Chilean Ironclad Battleship, he chose to leave the service, having understandably seen enough action to last a life time being packed into just a few years on his first proper ship to top it off.
He was discharged by purchase from HMS Duke of Wellington on 14th April 1880, he had to pay £12 to get out of his contract, but looks to have gained a pension for his services still.
£12 at this time is the equivalent of almost £2000 today, costing him a few months wages at least.
After leaving he moved to Yeovil, Somerset, and is found there in 1881 living as a Lodger whilst working as a Plumber.
