This from the Charlie's Medals website:
South Africa 1877-79 medal clasp 1879 correct officially engraved naming VET SURG N S LONGHURST VET DEPT.
Provenance Mayfair Coin Co 1980 and Bonhams.
From the Book - Lord Chelmsford and the Zulu Wars by Major G French DSO - Chapter XXV - the Remarkable Case of Captain Shepstone. During the early part of 1886 it was revealed by Captain Theophilus Shepstone of the Natal Carabiniers that he had been cruelly persecuted in consequence of a statement that had been made to the effect that, when Colonel Anthony Durnford's body was found on the field of Isandhlwana, he (Captain Shepstone) had removed from it, a packet of letters including papers sent to him by Lord Chelmsford which had not since been heard of.
The charge came from Miss Frances Colenso (daughter of Bishop of Natal) who was a close friend of Col Durnford. Miss Colenso had been informed of this matter by Col Edward Durnford who had received correspondance from Vet Surgeon Longhurst of the KDG. He stated Captain Shepstone searched the body and I saw him distinctly take from it two finger rings, a pocket knife with your brothers name engraved on the metallic blade, also a packet of letters. I unable to say whether the letters in question were of an official nature or otherwise, but judging from the content of the packet, I am of the opinion that there were official papers in it - letter dated 20th Feb 1882 by S Longhurst AVD KD Guards.
The implied accusation was that Captain Shepstone had taken the papers and handed them over to Lord Chelmsford who had hid them as they contained damaging information about the orders given to Col Durnford at Isandhlwana before the massacre.
Captain Shepstone requested a Public or Military Trial on this matter. It seems an official inquiry into the matter was held in South Africa and the results were sent to Horse Guards. The result was not released but it seems no one was punished or disciplined as Lt Col Seaward went on to have a distinguished career and so did Lord Chelmsford. So ended one of the most unsavoury episodes in connection with the Zulu War.
The suggestion was that these papers included the order sent to Colonel Dumford by Lord Chelmsfrd before the battle, and that it had been suppressed due to the nature of the orders could cause problems for Lord Chelmsford after the disaster.
Lt Col Seaward Longhurst was a Regimental Veterinary Officer, Royal Horse Artillery & Royal Field Artillery from the 14th June 1873 until gazetted into the 1st Kings Dragoon Guards at Manchester 1877. He served at Aldershot and then in the Zulu War when the regiment served two years in South Africa, during which he purchased remount horses throughout the Transvaal for Cavalry. Mentioned in Dispatches in the Zulu Wars.
He also served with the regiment in India for 6 years when he judged at the large Periodical Horse Fairs.
He receieved the Gold Medal for the best practical essay on South African Horses awarded by Colonel P reddy VC Indian Staff Corps.
He was appointed Staff Veterinary Officer at Shorncliffe 1886 including veterinary charge of Dover, held appointment 1887-1890. He was posted to the 10th Hussars at York, 18890 and served with Regiment at Curragh, Dublin and Cahir.
Appointed Professor of the Army Veterinary School and Director of the Army and Navy Vaccine Institute, Aldershot 1893-1898 when he officiated as Principal Veterinary Officer there.
Employed on Remount Duty in England, Scotland and Wales during the South African War when he passed about 12,000 horses for the Cavalry and RHA. He was appointed Princial Veterinary Officer in Ireland for 2 years 1900-1902. He was promoted to Lt Col for special services rendered during the last South African Wa.
On 1st March 1911 appointed Inspector of the Board of Agriculture for the purposes of the Disease of Animals Act 1910 and then employed on Remount Duty in Aldershot and inspected about 14,000 horses in Hull.
Appointed Assistant Director Veterinary Services 4th Sept 1914. Responsible for inspection at Liverpool of over 93,000 horses and mules from N America and Argentina till 30th April 1916.
