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Hi all,

There's a rumour in the family that one of our ancestors died at Rourk's Drift.

I would love to be able to confirm this, but to do so, I need some more details of the person who died there to be able to link him to my tree.

Ideally, I would like to get hold of his death certificate (if one exists) or his service records. Does anyone have any idea where to start? Details are below:

25B/987 Private Robert Adams D Coy 2nd Battn. 24th Regiment

Date of death would be around 22 – 23 January 1879.

Thanks very much,

Amy

Hi Amy,

Have a look at this link.
http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/battle/rorkesdrift_monument.htm
The name appears on the Memorial.

There is also the South Wales Borderer's Museam to visit (in Brecon) - they may have more.

You can get Service Record from M.O.D. but need Death Certificate first. No sure where this will be as unsure where death is registered - Here ior South Africa.

Hope this helps.

Matthew

there is an inscription on a memorial

have a look at this website http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/battle/rorkesdrift_monument.htm

Hi all,

I know that a Private Robert Adams was killed at Rorke's Drift, so no need to verify that - I just need to know how to get hold of his death certificate or service record in the hope that it will give me his date of birth, or home address - any tips?

first contact the museum as previously suggested also the one at Rorkes drift
http://www.talana.co.za/Museum_Archives/museum_archives.html they have a huge amount of info there.



possible death registration
Name: ADAMS, R

Station : Malta

Country: Malta

Year: 1879-1880

Page: 939

Record source: GRO Army Chaplains Death Indices (1796 to 1880)

Does anybody know if deaths in the british army at this time were recorded officially? Is there an index I can search (I assume that the above index is just for Army Chaplains?)?

And were army service records for this period kept?

army deaths were recorded by the Army chaplains and can be searched on findmypast, the info above is the only R Adams in the correct time period.

service records for that period are held at the National Archives at Kew

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/britisharmysoldierupto1913.htm

for instance muster rolls and pay lists for the battalion are in series WO 16/1579 and 1580
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATID=5441780&CATLN=6&accessmethod=5

you can order online or visit

there may also be something in WO 76/501 (but possibly only officers) :
South Wales Borderers (1st Battalion) (24th Foot): records for the South Wales Borderers, and for the period prior to 1881 when formed from the 24th Regiment of Foot: records of officers' service

As previously mentioned your best bet is to contact the regiment museum, they have a research service and should be able to tell you if there are any records for him.