Pte G NEVILL, T/3487 Army Service Corps, Zulu War

[MajorMike]

Hi All!
I'm looking for info on a distant relative of mine. I have inherited his SA Medal with 1879 Clasp. I've been unable to find out much about him so any info at all would be most appreciated. His details are:
T/3487 Private G. Nevill Army Service Corps.
My fingers are crossed!
Best wishes,
Mike :

[James-Millership]

Hi there! Was he in the Ordnance? or Transport?

Army Service Corps Ordnance. 1878 (1), "1878-9" (1), "1879" (36) + 116 no clasp.
Army Service Corps Transport. "1877-8" (4), "1877-8-9" (1), "1878-9" (1), "1879" (495) + 146 no clasp.



James M

[James-Millership]

Or Commissariat... forgot that one

Army Service Corps Commissariat. "1877" (1) "1877-8" (5), "1877-9" (1) "1877-8-9" (5), 1878 (1), "1878-9" (1), "1879" (83) + 71 no clasp

James M

[Waggoner]

Mike and James,

The "T" prefix to his service number indicates that he was transport. The best bet is to find his service papers in the National Archives at Kew. I can recommend an excellent researcher if you don't already know one. As far as I know, there are no detailed histories of the ASC during the Zulu War. Their work is covered in general terms in three or four of the Corps histories that are available.

All the best,

Gary

[jersey]

Hi
I have a few rels who served in the late 19th century. G/father joined RA in 1885, but apart from a posting to Gibraltar in 1901 never went anywhere until the great war.
I have his 5 medals 3 GW ones LSGC and MSM. One of my wifes g/uncles was No 1 Pte AE Love who served in the 1st W.A.M.I. and 5th WAMI. (West Aust mounted infantry)
going to SA twice. He also served in the GW and WW2. A g/uncle of mine was in the ASC and went to SA and earned a QSA with 4 clasps. He was Saddler Staff/Sgt D C Hamon
T/15193.

[Isandlwana]

The A.S.C. Companies which went out to South Africa, in the wake of the disaster at Isandlwana, were No.'s 3, 4 & 5 Companies.

They embarked in two groups; 2 Conductors & 217 other-ranks, together with 230 horses & 140 wagons sailed onboard the Queen Margaret, from Victoria Docks, Royal Group of Docks, east London, on 22nd February 1879. Disembarked at D'Urban on 29th March 1879.

The other section: 4 Conductors & 198 other-ranks, together with 150 horses & 28 wagons, sailing onboard the City of Venice sailing from Kingstown (Dún Laoghaire) on 25th February 1879. Disembarked at D'Urban, Natal on 30th March 1879.

If you do use a researcher @ Kew it might be well worth checking the Pay & Muster Rolls of these three A.S.C. companies to establish which one your relative was in, from I should be able to determine which division he was assigned to in Zululand.

Isandlwana

[Waggoner]

Mike,

If you do decided to use a researcher at TNA, I can recommend an excellent one!

All the best,

Gary

[MajorMike]

Hi, Everyone!

I really must apologise to everyone who responded to my request for information on the above soldier in 2009. I could have sworn I posted a " Thank you " note on the thread but it seems I didn't. Not like me at all!

I haven't used the Forum a lot since posting my request as I unfortunately developed heart trouble and was ill for quite a long time. (I'm fine now, thank God). Also my computer packed up around the same time and I delayed getting another one until I was sure I'd live to use it! I loaned other people's PC's for important stuff whilst I was without my own.

I reread my post today as I've received a PM from a Member who has information regarding my Soldier and I wanted to refresh my memory about what I'd posted before replying to him. I was shocked to realise that I hadn't thanked everyone for their kind help! So please accept my belated thanks and my sincere apologies for my unintentional rudeness.

Since posting my request I've managed to obtain my Soldier's Service Record and various Census copies and his Birth and Marriage Record. He served 21+years in the end, all in UK except for his time in South Africa. He was evidently illiterate on attestation as he signed his Attestation documents with an " X " followed by " his mark " written by the Officer taking him on!

According to his Service Record he was entitled to the South African Medal with 1879 clasp and also the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal which, very unfortunately, I haven't got! I wish I had. I'm still trying to find his place of death and his place of burial. He was born in Odiham, Hampshire, and he may have returned to that area on leaving the Army. His Christian name was George and he married a Sarah Dash with whom he had several children.

Anyway, Friends, I must email the Member who kindly got in touch so I'll leave you for the moment. My sincere apologies again for my rudeness.
Best wishes,
Mike.