Description
Egypt 1882 – 1st battalion South Staffordshire Regiment.
Egypt (rev dated 1882) 664 Pte T. Smith 1/S. Staff. R.
Correct on medal rolls.
We have now found that this man also got the South Africa 1877-79 medal with clasp “1878” for service against the BaPedi under Sekhukhune.
The book on the 80th has this on him –
Born in Stoke, Longton, Staffs.; enlisted Newcastle-under-Lyme on 31.1.76 age 18 yrs 2 mths. Joined regt. in Pretoria on 3.12.1876 [book actually has 1881 but year clearly a mistake – he was out by then – other men have 3.12.76].
Hazel eyes, brown hair, fresh complexion. Height 5′ 51/4” tall. Trade – forgeman. To the Army Reserve 29.8.81. [only 5 yrs in army]
Approx. 270 men of the 80th just had “1878” and did not go on to the Zulu War. These were men who were left around Utrecht and other bases in the Transvaal to monitor the situation with Sekhukhne and also keep an eye the Boers who were showing signs of unrest over the annexation of the Transvaal.
Smith was presumably called from the Reserve to serve in Egypt in 1882. The battalion served in Alexandria.
Condition – NEF, A nice example.
