TOPIC:

My Great-Grandfather received this medal and I was wondering if anyone knows of its whereabouts or can help with reseach. For example, where were the 94th regiment in 1879 and are there records of his service?

I saw another forum post on here regarding a list of soldiers who received the SAGS medal in the Zulu War from the Army Service Corps and wondered why these were specifically highlighted? Are they less common in that form?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, and this website has been a great help already.

Thanks in advance,
E J Henman

Hello E J Henman

Welcome to the forum.

To assist in your quest regarding your Great Grandfather F Henman.
Please could you provide the forum with his Christian name and any other details you may have pertaining to his birthplace and connection to the 94th regiment of foot. The more information provided may help forum members to answer some of your questions. I have enclosed your Great Grandfather's medal roll entry for your records.




During the Zulu War, the Army Service Corps (ASC) was responsible for providing transport and commissariat services to the British army. The ASC provided the "Other Ranks" for these duties, while officers from the Commissariat Department commanded them. ASC personnel were deployed to various fronts, particularly during the Second Invasion of Zululand. 


Role of the ASC:

The ASC provided the personnel for transporting supplies, equipment, and troops. This included tasks like managing convoys, maintaining vehicles (like wagons), and ensuring the flow of supplies to the front lines. 

Organizational Structure:

The ASC was initially part of the Commissariat and Transport Department, which later became the Commissariat and Transport Staff. In 1881, the ASC was further divided into the Ordnance Store Corps and the Commissariat and Transport Corps. 

Specific Duties:

During the war, ASC personnel would have been involved in tasks like:

Transporting Supplies: Moving food, ammunition, and other necessities to various locations within Zululand. 

Maintaining Vehicles: Repairing and maintaining the wagons and other vehicles used for transport. 

Guarding Convoys: Providing security for convoys carrying supplies, which was a major challenge due to the nature of the terrain and potential enemy attacks. 


Brief notes on the 94th Regiment of Foot 1879 - 1880.

The regiment embarked for South Africa in spring 1879 and saw action at the Battle of Ulundi in July 1879 during the Anglo-Zulu War.The regiment marched into the Transvaal and took part in the successful attack on Sekukuni's stronghold on 28 November 1879 during the Basuto Gun War. Two Victoria Crosses were awarded to members of the regiment for their conduct during this action.

The regiment remained in South Africa with its eight companies widely distributed throughout the Transvaal, garrisons being established in Pretoria (E and G companies), Lydenburg (A and F companies), Wakkerstroom (C company), Marabastad (B company), Standerton (H company) and Newcastle in northern Natal (D company).

It was during the re-concentration of the companies, in response to outbreaks of civil disorder by the Boers, that A and F companies were attacked at Battle of Bronkhorstspruit in December 1880 in the opening clash of the First Boer War: the two companies saw 156 of their soldiers killed or wounded, with the rest taken prisoner. The other six companies of the regiment spent the war being besieged by the Boers: C, D and H in Standerton, E and G in Pretoria, B in Marabastad, and a small detachment of 50 men in Lydenburg.

As part of the Cardwell Reforms of the 1870s, where single-battalion regiments were linked together to share a single depot and recruiting district in the United Kingdom, the 94th was linked with the 89th (Princess Victoria's) Regiment of Foot and assigned to district no. 65 at Gough Barracks in Armagh.  On 1 July 1881 the Childers Reforms came into effect and the regiment amalgamated with the 88th Regiment of Foot to form the Connaught Rangers.

Best wishes

Dave....