The Rorke's Drift VC Discussion Forum
(View Discussion Rules)

** IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL USERS **

PLEASE NOTE: This forum is now inactive and is provided for reference purposes only. The live forum is available at www.rorkesdriftvc.com/forum

(Back To Topic List)

Date	Original Topic
13th February 2002	Relatives at Rorke's Drift? By Lavina Porter My husband understands that part of his family was involved in Rorke's Drift. On the film Zulu in the role call at the end one of the names mentioned is Porter. Does anyone know if the roll call consisted of genuine names and how I can find out if that was any relative. I also understand that at the time of the Boer War one of the relatives was a "Rough Riding Sergeant". Surname may be Porter, Iserwood, Yates or Peppiate (spelling of last surname may not be correct.) Many thanks.
Date	Replies
13th February 2002	Martin Everett Dear Lavina, From the limited information you have, it going to take a lot of effort to research these two soldiers - not really difficult but time consuming. Firstly there was no soldier named 'Porter' at the defence of Rorke's Drift on 22/23 January 1879, but many soldiers from a variety of units passed through the post in the weeks after the action (no Porter in the 24th Regt). The South Africa War Medal Roll (Zulu War Medal) has 34,000 names. But the records are held at the Public Records Office - the staff at Kew are very helpful but will not do the research for you. For the Boer War - there is a two volume book in the library of the PRO - by Kevin Asplin which lists alphabetically all the soldiers who served in the Imperial Yeomanry 1899-1902. For there you should able to find his service papers also in the PRO. Good luck.
14th February 2002	Julian Whybra I've just checked all my records of all units at Rorke's Drift/Isandhlwana plus Norman Holme's The Noble 24th (you can get this from the library). There's no soldier with any of those surnames present. Perhaps he went there afterwards and was from a diferent regiment or you've got the wrong surname.
14th February 2002	John Young Lavina, Given the rank you give of 'Rough Riding Sergeant', I conclude that you have got to looking for a mounted soldier. Both the regular cavalry units which fought in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 - the 17th (Duke of Cambridge's Own) Lancers & the 1st (King's) Dragoon Guards, had elements operating in the region of Rorke's Drift, especially in May/June 1879. These regular army units were augmented South African raised units. Sadly I cannot check the Medal Roll for those units for the names given, due to my copy being on loan. If however your relation served in the 2nd Anglo-Boer War, 1899-1902, sadly the scope of mounted troops is broadened by as well as local forces, British and other British Empire volunteer units supplementing the regular forces. That could well prove as Martin has indicated a lengthy task. Regards, John Young, Chairman, Anglo-Zulu War Research Society
19th February 2002	CLIVE DICKENS Lavinia I have found just one soldir of the 24th foot with the name of Yates, he was in the 2nd Bn of the 24thhe is listed as W Yates 1416 Pte, I am afraid none of the other names you put forward though tally at all, Clive Dickens
22nd February 2002	Martin Everett Dear Lavinia, 'The Rough Riders' - The City of London Yeomanry - provided the 72, 76, 78, 79 84, 85, 86 and 87 Companies of the Imperial Yeomanry to serve in South Africa in 2nd Boer War. Of the names you mention only only the following soldiers match: 32156 Tpr T Yates 84th Coy, 22nd Bn IY, and Tpr 30736 Bertie Yates 85th Coy, 22nd Bn IY. You still have to go the PRO at Kew for further information. There were 34,000 in the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa 1899-1902!! I trust this helps.
23rd February 2002	John Young Dear Lavania, Sorry I'm going to have to pour scorn on Martin's above reply, and add to the confusion. The rank of Rough Riding Sergeant & the trade designation of 'Rough Rider' was apparently brought in under the 'Clothing Warrants' for 1865. It existed in all units with a mounted establishment including the Royal Artillery & Royal Horse Artillery. John Young, Chairman, Anglo-Zulu War Research Society
24th January 2004	peter prentice Dear All,The plot thickens: My aunt Rosemary Porter who is very up on all her family history tells me her Grand Father (and my great Grand Father) was called Lt Reginald de Costa Porter, and that he was with the Royal Engieers (which I understand was a bunch of sappers) at Rorke's Drift. He was killed on his way to Egypt/Sudan by a stirrup falling on his head while he was on the ship. I believe he was also decorated in some official manner. BW, Peter Prentice