Samuel Vickery

Samuel Vickery [ not him in the photo ] HIS REGIMENTS UNIFORM

 

1843 Devon England

 

1929 Many Peaks Qld Australia.

 

 

He served in the 80th at foot Staffordshire Regiment for many years.

 

Seeing service in the

 

Zulu Wars ,

 

First Boer War.

 

Punjab India

 

Afghanistan.

 

Before migrating to Australia 1885. on board SS JUMA

 

 

He adopted my Grand mother Edith Ellen Morton & Thomas Claude Vickery

 

 

In 1876 the 80th were ordered to South Africa, arriving in Natal in 1877.Members of the regiment built Fort Amiel, named after Major Charles Frederick Amiel.They subsequently took part in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879-80, initially suffering heavy casualties before playing a major part in the Battle of Ulundi under the command of Major (later General) Charles Tucker. Tucker went on to be colonel of the South Staffordshire Regiment. The regiment left South Africa in 1880, sailing to Ireland where they were stationed in Tralee .

 

 

The Regiment's penultimate Battle Honour 'Central India' was won during the Indian Mutiny. After arriving in Calcutta in Feb 1858 they took part in the closing stages of the mutiny, making endless marches in minor punitive expeditions lasting some twelve months. [ Just before Sam joined up ] He got to India in 1864 aged 18. and did general service there for 6 years

 

 

Their services in South Africa during 1878 and 79 won the Regiment its final battle honour. They took part in various operations against Sekukuni of the Basuto tribe during 1878, till this action was suspended due to the impending Zulu War.

 

The Zulu War started on Jan 11 1879 when British Forces invaded Zululand. The first major battle took place at Inyezance when the No 1 column was attacked by the Zulus. This attack was repulsed. The Zulus later attacked and took the British Camp at Isandhlwana on Jan 22 1879 when over 1000 British and Colonial soldiers were slaughtered. British Honour was restored later that day when the hospital and stores at Rorke's Drift were successfully held by only a few men. A further two reverses were to take place, one on March 12 when a company of the 80th were attacked and many killed at Myer's Drift in the Intimbi River. The second occurred at Hlobane Mountain on March 28. However, serious damage was done to the Zulu forces on March 29 at Kambula, when a Zulu force of 20,000 was chased off the battlefield. During the invasion of Zululand on April 2 the British Forces were attacked by 12,000 Zulus who were driven off.

 

The Final battle against the Zulus was on July 4 at Ulundi when a force of 20,000 Zulus were defeated and Ulundi and other Kraals in the area were burnt. On Aug 15 the principal Chiefs of the Zulus surrendered and on Aug 28 the Zulu King Cetshwayo was captured, bringing the war to an end.

 

At the conclusion of the Zulu War the Regiment continued their task of defeating Sekukuni. Following a number of small confrontations the Sekukuni town stronghold was captured on Nov 28 1879.

 

During 1881 the 80th Regiment of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers) were amalgamated with the 38th Regiment of Foot to form the South Staffordshire Regiment.

Done