TOPIC:

John William Duckham

Sergeant, Natal Hussars – Anglo Zulu War
Sergeant Major, Umvoti Mounted Rifles – Anglo Boer War

- South African General Service Medal with 1879 clasp to Sergt. Duckham, Natal Hussars
- Queens South Africa Medal with clasps Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Laings Nek and South Africa 1901 to 1 Qr.-Mr. Serjt. J.W. Duckham, Umvoti M.R.
- Volunteer Long Service Medal (Victoria) (unnamed as issued in the Colony of Natal) - Volunteer L.S. medal – Natal Gazette 14 January 1896.

John William Duckham was born in Bridgewater in the county of Somerset, in about 1842. His parents were most likely John Duckham, a labourer, and his wife Sarah.

On 3 November 1857 he was admitted to the Wilton Gaol in Taunton, Somerset at the age of 17 for an undisclosed offence. The admittance register provides us with our first glimpse of the youthful miscreant – he was 5 feet 5 inches had grey eyes, brown hair and a sallow complexion and was, of course, unmarried. By occupation he was a Labourer. By way of distinguishing marks about his person he had “pock pitted blue spots” on the back of each hand.

It was possibly this run in with the law that determined Duckham on a course which saw him leave his native Britain and head for one of the “new territories” in his case, South Africa which, in the Colony of Natal, is where he settled, initially in Port Natal now known as Durban. Pursuing the trade of Brickmaker he set about making a life for himself in the small but bustling and growing town where his skills must have found a ready market.


As Sergeant Major of te Umvoti Mounted Rifles - Anglo Boer War

On 28 March 1864, in the Congregational Chapel in Durban, a 22 year old Duckham wed 20 year old Elizabeth Forrest, (with her parents’ consent it has to be said). Elizabeth had been born in Port Elizabeth in about 1843 and was new to the Colony. The witnesses to the nuptials were her sister Sarah and a friend of Duckham’s by the name of George Bottomley. Shortly after their wedding they were recorded as living near Prospect in Umbilo where they set about beginning a family.

William Henry was the first to come along in 1867 followed by a success of others. All told, many of the thirteen children the couple were to perish young or have some trauma early in their lives. John Ernest died from “water on the brain”) at the age of 2 years and 10 months on 7 January 1876 by which time Duckham and his family had moved inland to the Umvoti County of Natal with Greytown as its seat, whilst Alfred Lewis died as an infant of 7 months on 2 March 1875. Alfred died at the age of 8 months 11 days on 24 April 1880 from “inflammation of the lungs”. Minnie Louise suffered the same fate on 29 September 1881 at the age of 8 months whilst Andrew lasted 15 days before passing away on 30 December 1882.

James Ernest, one of those who made it past adolescence, survived “a most alarming accident” while standing on some scaffolding from which he fell “with a fearful thud on a heap of bricks causing severe injuries and concussion.” James, it is presumed, was employed in his father’s brick and masonry business when this sad state of affairs befell him.

As has been mentioned Duckham had moved his brood to Greytown and it was here that the Natal Hussars, the local militia regiment, had been formed as a buffer, should the need be required, to counter Zulu aggression in an area which was very close to Zululand. Founded in 1865 the Hussars enjoyed the almost unique distinction of having its recruits pay for the privilege of joining – the princely sum of 10s 6d. By 1869 the strength stood at 65, a small number in comparison to British equivalents but sizeable by Colonial standards.


The Natal Hussars

Exactly when Duckham joined their ranks is unknown but, by the time the Zulu War broke out in January of 1879 he was already a Sergeant in rank with commensurate responsibilities. With war clouds looming all 35 of them were called out under Captain P Norton on 25 November 1878. Marching out of Greytown they first reached Potspruit, near Kranskop, where they were joined by the Durban Mounted Rifles.

During the first week of January 1879 they marched out to Thring’s Post where they fell under the command of Captain Barrow of the 19th Hussars. On the 10th January they reached Fort Pearson and were brigaded with the Alexandra Mounted Rifles, Durban Mounted Rifles, Stanger Mounted Rifles and Victoria Mounted Rifles.

On 12 January Pearson’s No. 1 Column crossed the Tugela, the river which formed the border between Natal and Zululand, and immediately stated building Fort Tenedos on the Zulu side of the river. All the while the cavalry was constantly out on patrol. On one such occasion made on the 15th January, about nine miles into Zulu territory, a dozen or so warriors were encountered who, startled at the unexpected sight of the troop, threw down their shields and assegais and tried to flee. They were pounced on by the Natal Hussars who captured five of them.

With Fort Tenedos completed the force was able to advance on Eshowe. On the 21st the Natal Hussars were ordered to reconnoitre Umgingindhlovu kraal but, finding it deserted, they burnt the grass huts and returned to camp at Kwasambela. Their first real action came at a place called Nyezana – the story of which was published in the Natal Mercury as follows: -

‘Over the hills cam several thousand blacks, uttering their war cry, and rushing down on the unfortunate native levies. It was here that the five white men of one company lost their lives. Major Barrow disposed of the force under his command most judiciously, and checked the advance of the enemy. The mounted infantry and Hussars took the right of the road, and the Victoria and Stanger squadron the left.

The first shot was fired at about 8 a.m. and by 9 the hottest fire was over, and the kafirs retiring. The mounted infantry behaved well, as did in fact, all the troops engaged. The mounted volunteers kept up the credit of the colony, the Umvoti Hussars had a hotter corner than the Victoria squadron, and the latter were ordered to protect a valley on the left of a knoll, and clear the Kafirs away from a kraal near the road, where they were swarming in great numbers.

This was done very successfully, and with a steady telling fire. The Kafirs stood the fire for about three minutes, then made a clear bolt for shelter, leaving many dead around the kraal. The enemy retired, and the troops extended in skirmishing order in pursuit, driving the enemy before them. The ground was strewn with the dead and severely wounded. Guns of all shapes and patterns were picked up. A loss of 300 is below the real number left by the enemy; over a large breadth of ground the bodies were to be found pretty thickly strewn.’

The battle over the Column proceeded to Eshowe reaching there the following day. Finding that there were too many men there Pearson ordered the mounted men back to Fort Pearson on 28 January. Condemned now to patrol duties the Hussars were to wait until May of 1879 for some more meaningful action. At that time Chelmsford ordered all the border forces to raid into Zululand in the hope of reducing an attack on his right flank as it moved in for the kill. One of these raids was mounted by a Major Twentyman who ordered the Natal Hussars to Kranskop. The account of what happened next appeared in the “Natal Colonist: -

‘We started from Potspruit Camp after breakfast on Monday 19 May with orders to proceed to Fort Cherry and await further instructions. We wondered at the mystery and at Kranskop were told Major Twentyman proposed a raid into Zululand, and that he wanted some volunteers to cross over with him, the others remaining behind to guard the drift.

We then proceeded down the steep sides of the Tugela Valley leading our horses over boulders and under thorns. It was dark before our camping ground for the night was reached about a mile from the drift. By morning star we moved down to the river, arriving there shortly before daybreak where there was a slight delay. Just as the sun rose, an advance into the river was made by about thirty volunteers, under Sergeant Duckham of the Natal Hussars, Major Twentyman crossing with them.


Duckham is 2nd from the right bottom row in this rare named photo of the Natal Hussars

When the party got to the island in the middle of the drift, there was some difficulty in tracing the ford across to Zululand. Whilst this was being seen about, a volley was fired by about a dozen Zulus. Immediately after firing they shouted the war cry “Usutu” and disappeared over the brow of the hill. Major Twentyman’s horse was wounded, and another bullet whizzed close past his face. Fortunately the shooting generally was wide.

Our army of invasion, mustering 1000 men, now followed the Mounted Volunteers who had found the missing ford. The party then advanced three or four miles into Zululand, burning kraals and mealies. A well-ordered retreat enabled the invading army to return to Natal without loss.’

So there it was – Duckham had received a rare mention for his exploits.

The Hussars spent the rest of the war carrying out their duties to the satisfaction of all, and were awarded forty South African General Service Medals with the 1879 clasp. Their return home to Greytown was noted in the “Natal Mercury”: -

‘To Captain Norton, the Officers, and Troopers of the Natal Hussars. We the undersigned inhabitants of Greytown and the county of Umvoti, desire now, on your return to your respective homes, after a long service of eight months in the field, in the defence of your country, to express our sincere and heartfelt appreciation of your gallant conduct through many hardships, at the risk of life, and at considerable material loss. We especially call to mind your cool and brave conduct at the battle of Inyezane in which you bore a manly and conspicuous part side by side with the Imperial troops, defeating the enemy under great disadvantages, and that the conclusion of the engagement receiving the special thanks of General Pearson, the officer in command.’

John Duckham was one of only two Sergeants in the Hussars, the other being a Frederick Preller.

The war over Duckham returned to his civilian trade but, as was the case with many Colonials in the far-flung reaches of the colony, took to farming as well. He continued on with the Hussars who, over a period of time, became known as the Umvoti Mounted Rifles and it would have been with great pride that he would have read in the Natal Government Gazette of 31 December 1895, under the heading “Volunteer Notice No. 3 1896” – The following Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Men have been awarded the Volunteer Long Service Medal: -

Umvoti Mounted Rifles – Quartermaster Sergeant J.W. Duckham.

J.G. Dartnell, Colonel

Commandant, Volunteer Force, Pietermaritzburg.

This was quite an achievement as only 60 such medals, unnamed as issued, were awarded from the date of inception until 1903 when they were replaced by the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal.


Duckham is the tall fellow seated third from the right in the bottom row during the Boer War

Three years later, on 11 October 1899, the long standing animosity between Britain and Boer spilled over into open conflict and the Natal-based regiments were called out to assist in the fight with the Boers threatening to invade Natal as almost their first port of call. The Umvoti Mounted Rifles mobilised on the 30 September 1899 in anticipation of this conflict and left Greytown at 8 a.m. on 2 October under the command of Major Leuchars. There were 89 officers, non-commissioned officers and men who left for the front receiving a hearty send-off as they departed for Helpmekaar to act as scouting party to the Dundee column.

Duckham, as was seen, was now the Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant – he also had the distinction of being “No. 1” on the handwritten muster roll of the regiment. The record indicates that he served from 29 September 1899 through to 11 January 1903 before taking his discharge at the age of 61.

Doing the 60 miles in two days in hot conditions and over rough country must have been hard on the “old man” but they reached their destination and were expected to scout between the Dundee-Vryheid road and the Isibinde River. Outposts were placed on hills commanding good views of the surroundings thereby making sure that the Boers couldn’t arrive unannounced. On Wednesday, 18 October the march to Dundee was underway when word was received with instructions to remain at Helpmekaar, were it not for this the U.M.R. would have been in the thick of it at Talana a few days later.

They left Helpmekaar on 23 October at 10 p.m. and on 26 October received an order to fall back on the Tugela River which was in flood caused by a heavy storm. A series of skirmishes followed with Boer advance parties with news being received that the Boers had entered nearby Weenen. The U.M.R. was ordered back to Greytown on November 18 destroying the punt and the road as they departed. They saw action a few days later on 23 November when a party of 400 Boers attempted to force the ferry to Greytown. Outposts were engaged until the main body arrived and, after 3 hours, the Boers retired having burnt the stores and the Police barracks.

On 7 March 1900, a week after the relief of Ladysmith, a move was made by the regiment to occupy the Helpmekaar Heights in anticipation of a general forward move by the army in Natal. They bivouacked at Pomeroy on the night of 7 March and moved forward the next morning. The objective wasn’t reached as they were met with a hot reception and forced to move back to the south of the river again.

On 10 March after their long vigil on the Tugela Drifts they again advanced to reoccupy Pomeroy. This they did without opposition until Buller’s advance guard reached them, they then joined in the action at the “Nek” (Helpmekaar Nek) coming under heavy “Pom” fire. The U.M.R. then continued with Buller to Laing’s Nek being in the advanced outpost line and among the first through the Nek when the Boer position at Allemansnek was taken.

They then advanced as far as Volksrust and then returned with the remainder of the Natal Volunteer Brigade for duty on the line of communications under General Dartnell. After spending some time at Dundee they marched to Vryheid meeting some opposition from the enemy at Blood River.

On returning the Regiment was deployed on mainly detached duties in the Buffalo area until the disbandment of the Natal Volunteers in October 1900. They were remobilised in September 1901 and formed part of the defence of the Eastern border of Natal and Zululand where the Boers, under General Botha were threatening to break through again. They were demobilised on 20 October 1901 and didn’t take to the field again during the war.

For his efforts Duckham was awarded the Queens medal with the relevant clasps to add to his “Zulu” and Long Service Medals. Like most Natal-based Colonials an application for the Kings Medal was made, initially agreed to, and then withdrawn leaving many fuming at the injustice of it all.

Now getting on in years Duckham played no part in the Bambatha Rebellion of 1906, many actions of which would have taken place not far from where he lived. He probably felt tempted but caution fortunately prevented him from volunteering.

John William Duckham passed away at Greytown on 3 January 1909 at the age of 67 from Cancer of the Stomach along with exhaustion and heart failure. A Brickmaker and Builder by trade to the end he was predeceased by his wife (who died on 30 December 1908) two weeks before him. He was survived by William Henry Duckham, James Ernest Duckham and John Winter Duckham – the only ones of his many children still alive. He bequeathed several farms in the area to them.

It is amazing how much the pictures add to the narrative. It is fantastic that these have been kept together.

The medals of his son, Gunner John Winter Duckham, Natal Field Artillery - QSA 3 clasps / Natal 1906 / 1902 Coronation - were sold at Noonan's Feb. 2024.
He died 1923 in Greytown.

I saw these and was tempted to buy them. Alas, I decided on another group entirely.

Are you related to this branch of the Duckham family?

No - just a collecting whim to get some varied SA groups with Coronation honours.

carysfort wrote: No - just a collecting whim to get some varied SA groups with Coronation honours.

I have a number of them, those with the 1902 Coro are all to Colonials if I recall - Natal Carbineers, Natal Police, Border Mounted Rifles to name a few - which is another reason I didn't put out for the Duckham trio.