South Africa Medal 1877-79. With clasp '1879' (575. Qr. Mr. Sgt. J. Gerry. 2/21st. Foot.)

Medal(s) and clasp verification: Sergeant James Gerry 2nd Battalion 21st Regiment of Foot is confirmed entitled to the medal and clasp per below cited regimental medal roll and service record source:

- South Africa Medal 1877-79 with clasp '1879: WO 100/46
- Military Long Service & Good Conduct Medal: WO 97 (Recipients extant service papers refer)

Important: Quartermaster Sergeant Gerry is confirmed having been present in both the Zulu campaign 1879, as well as the campaign against 'Sekukuni' of the Basuto's

2nd Battalion, 21st (Royal Scots Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot: The 2/21st were stationed at the Curragh Camp, Ireland, when on 12 February 1879 it received orders to proceed to Natal Colony. About 300 volunteers from other regiments in Ireland were sent to the Battalion to bring it up to strength for active service.

On 22 February the men embarked at Queenstown in the hired transport City of Paris; it would not be a smooth journey. Whilst entering St. Simon's Bay the vessel struck on the Roman Rock and was severely damaged, so much so that the troops were hastily transferred to H.M.S. Tamar. On reaching Durban on 23 March, the Battalion marched via Pietermaritzburg to Ladysmith and on to Dundee

Detailed to Newdigate's Division, the Battalion was involved in the construction of Fort Ayr and joined with the K.D.G's and 17th Lancers in their forays into Zulu territory. At the battle of Ulundi, the regiment formed a portion of the right of the hollow square and, according to 'The South African Campaign of 1879' (Shadbolt) 'with the 58th, bore the brunt of the first desperate onslaught of the enemy, large numbers of whom got to within thirty yards of the line before the galling and destructive fire which was poured into them could stay their advance.'

Following the conclusion of the Zulu War, the 2/21st remained in South Africa where it fought in the Zeekuni War of 1879, and subsequently fought in the 1st Boer War, or Transvaal War of 1881

Reference 'British Battles & Medals' (Spink, seventh edition, 2006) for their services in South Africa, both during the Zulu War and later against the Basuto's during the operations against Sekukuni, culminating in the taking of 'Sekukuni's Kraal' in November 1879, it is estimated that 999 x South Africa Medals were issued to the 2nd Battalion 21st (Royal Scots Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot, of which 847 x were issued with the clasp '1879; and 152 x were issued with no clasp

James Gerry, son of Alexander Gerry (a Blacksmith) and Janet Gerry (nee) was a native of Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland, where he was born in 1840. At the time of the National Census for Scotland in 1841, James Gerry - not yet one year old - is recorded living with his parents at, Shrub Place, in the parish of St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh, Midlothian. James enlisted in the British Army at Edinburgh, Scotland, on, 18 January 1859, on which date he was posted to the 21st (North British Fusiliers) Regiment of foot. Prior to enlisting, James had been employed as a 'Labourer'. By the time James Gerry, took his final discharge from the British Army, at Pretoria, Transvaal, South Africa, on 19 October 1880, James Gerry had served a total of 21 years 274 days 'With the Colours'. During his long service career, James had served overseas in India including Burma for 9 & a half years, and in South Africa for 1 and a half years (and an extra 59 days in South Africa). At discharge James, held the rank of Quartermaster-Sergeant, and his military conduct and character was described as 'Very Good'. Whether, James Gerry ever returned to his native Scotland, is unknown to us, as his service papers show that his intended place of residence after taking his discharge form the British Army, was stated to be 'Pretoria', Transvaal, South Africa. By the time his campaign medal was issued, his address after leaving the British Army, is shown as, Ordnance Store, Fort Napier, Pietermaritzburg, Natal Colony, which latter indicates he was working as a civilian for the colonial authorities in Natal Colony

With thanks to the Wellcome Collection, for use of the image showing the kilted 'Piper' of the 2nd Battalion (Royal Scots Fusiliers) Regiment of Foot, playing his pipes at camp 'in-the-field', Zululand, 1879

The recipients service papers are extant and accessible at The National Archives

Condition: GVF

Code: 24528