Description
South Africa General Service Medal 1877-79 to A.B. William North, H.M.S.Shah.
William North was born 19th August 1857 at Hurstbourne Tarrant, Hampshire. The 18 year old William joined the Royal Navy, signing up for 10 years, on the 19th August 1975. After service as a Boy 2nd class on H.M.S. Boscawen he served on the St. Vincent and Duke of Wellington until joining H.M.S. Shah 14th August 1876 on which he served until 31st October 1879, his service described as exemplary. This period would have seen the action in the Pacific at the Battle of Pacocha followed by the shore action with the Naval Brigade in the Zulu War. His service after HMS Shah saw him at Excellent, Rifleman, Algerine and Royal Adelaide finishing at Excellent 31st December 1885.
Peruvian Monitor Huascar
Service papers confirm that William North was on the crew of H.M.S. Shah during the naval action that is sometime referred to as the Battle of Pacocha, 29th May 1977 between the rebel-help Peruvian Monitor Huascar and the Royal Navy ships H.M.S. Shah and H.M.S. Amethyst. This engagement is historically known for being the launching by H.M.S. Shah of the first ever torpedo. This inauspicious event resulted in no damage and the torpedo being “out-run”, by the target, the Huascar.
HMS SHAH
During her time as flagship she also visited Pitcairn Island. On her voyage home in 1879, she called at St. Helena, where news was received of the British defeat at Isandhlwana. Shah was diverted to carry soldiers (one battalion of 88th Connaught Rangers and a Field Artillery battalion) to Durban in South Africa. Arriving 7th March 1879 she disembarked 16 Officers and 378 men of her crew at Durban, led by Commander John Brackenbury, R.N. to join the newly formed Naval Brigade. On 18th March 1879 the force heading to relieve Eshowe was joined by 10 Officers and 218 men from H.M.S. Boadicea led by Commander Francis Romilly, R.N.
The Naval Brigade fought at the Battle of Ginginlovu on 2nd April where the Royal Navy and their guns held the corners of the British square. After the Relief of Eshowe on 4th April, Commander Campbell was placed in command of the whole Naval Brigade numbering over 800 officers and seamen and marines. With much of the fighting already over the detachment from HMS Tenedos re-embarked on 8th May. HMS Active’s and HMS Shah’s contingents reembarked on 21st July. The men of the Boadicea were the last company of the Naval Brigade to return their ship, doing so on 31st July 1879.
Despatches from Frederick W Richards, Commodore, The Secretary of the Admiralty, Whitehall confirms the above as follows. (Refer to London Gazette November 7th 1879 pp 6310 for the full account and reports from of the Naval Brigade in the Cape.) extracts below –
As their Lordships are aware, The “Shah” arrived at Natal with reinforcements on the 6th MArch, and the Boadicea on the 15th and contingents from these vessels were immediately lander and pushed forward to the Lower Tugeloa, where yhey arrived in time to take part in Lord Chelmsford’s advance for the successful relief of Ekowe, inwhich the “Tenedos” contingent took part also,. My despatches of the 11th APril, Nos 18 and 19, with enclosures, have acquainted their Lordships with the particulars of that expedition and of the part taken by the Naval Brigade in the action at Ginginlovu.
On the 4th April, at Ekowe, I appointed Acting Captain Campbell of the “Active” to the command of the United Naval Brigade in the field, a force numbering over 800 men. He retained command until re-embarked at Port Durnford on the 22nd July.
I mentioned the name of Commander Brackenbury (and enclose the report of that offficer, who commanded at the action of Ginginlovu. Commander Brackenbury was from H.M.S. Shah.
Medal – South Africa Medal with 1879 clasp to SHAH. W. NORTH. A.B. H.M.S.
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