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Paul Edward Thomalla

Sergeant, Natal Royal Rifles – Anglo Boer War

- Queens South Africa Medal (Relief of Ladysmith) to 28 SERJT: P.E. THOMALLA. NATAL R.R.

Paul Edward Thomalla was born in Jarrow, County Durham on 16 September 1866. He was the son of Isabella Thomella and her husband Paul Thomalla, a Prussian-born chap who had emigrated to England and had, on 29 November 1871, applied for a Certificate of Naturalisation – to become a British Subject – whilst living at 94 Ormond Street, Jarrow. He was described as a 35 year old Prussian, a pork butcher, and married with three children, Paul Edward (5); Albert George (3) and John Samuel (1 ½)


Thomalla Senior

According to the 1871 England census which had taken place earlier that year, the family were prosperous with Mr Thomalla employing two servants, one who assisted him in the pork butchery, and the other who was a Domestic Servant.

Tragedy struck when, on 19 April 1875, Paul’s mother, Isabella, passed away leaving her husband to raise their young family. Contemporary school records for August 1876 show that Paul, along with his brothers were enrolled at the local school in Jarrow. The family had moved to Longhorn Street in Jarrow by this time.

Two things of major import were to happen in young Paul’s life over the next two years – firstly his father remarried and, secondly, decided to take his entire family to live in South Africa where, upon arrival in 1878, they settled down in Pietermaritzburg in the Colony of Natal. Paul, with his schooling behind him, took up the Ironmonger’s trade and, as the years went by, decided to follow the route most young men in Victorian times took – he enlisted with one of the local Militia outfits – in his case, the Natal Royal Rifles which he joined on 7 November 1889 when he was 23 years old.

Natal was enjoying a period of peace and tranquillity in the years just after the Anglo Zulu War of 1879. Gone was the threat of imminent invasion from the Zulu hordes to the north and the civilian population were becoming used to the cut and thrust of trade and industry instead of the clashing of arms. Thoughts of conflict would have been far from their minds but the two Boer Republics to the north and west of Natal’s borders had other ideas. On 11 October 1899 war was declared with Great Britain and the Boer Commandos crossed their communal borders with the Cape Colony and Natal.

Thomalla had been promoted to Corporal on 24 March 1897 and, along with most local units, was mobilised on the eve of war – 30 September 1899 – with “A” Company and with No. 28. He was to participate in the operations leading up to the Relief of Ladysmith – the town the Boers had lain siege to on 3 November 1899.

The following text is taken from the Black and White Budget of 24 Feb 1900, page 28.

“As all men are talking of the gallant way the Natal Volunteers have turned out in defence of their hearths and homes, a sketch of one of their chief corps will not come amiss:- The Natal Royal Rifles was formed thirty-four years ago, and is one of the oldest corps in the Colony of Natal. Originally known as the Maritzburg Rifles—or more familiarly termed by their admirers the "Mud Rats" (Maritzburg being famous for its mud in those days)—the organisation grew from one company of about 60 men into a really fine regiment of about 400 strong.

It was during the governorship of Sir Arthur Havelock that the Royal Durban Rifles were linked to the Maritzburg Rifles, and the combined corps was then called the Natal Royal Rifles. The regiment, in camp for the first time under its new name, presented a fine appearance, and was one of which the colony was justly proud. Unfortunately, in later years, differences sprang up between the two half-battalions, ending in the Durban half being formed into a separate corps.

This latter half is now the flourishing Durban Light Infantry; for whereas while the Maritzburg battalion was much the strongest during the time the two were one regiment, the Durban Light Infantry, since the separation, has increased in point of numbers, while the subject of this sketch, still retaining the name of the Natal Royal Rifles, has declined steadily, until the number of its members is now only 160. On being called out for service in the campaign now being waged its numbers could very easily have been increased to 500 had it been advisable to enrol so many new members. This was considered unwise, however, efficiency being the first consideration. Doubtless, on its return from active service the regiment will recruit in earnest, when it is anticipated its numbers will exceed those reached at any previous time in the existence of the corps.



On September 29th, 1899, at 6 p.m., the corps received orders to proceed to the front at 4 p.m. the following day. In spite of the short notice—many men not receiving it until the following morning—the whole of the corps, with the exception of a few who were ill and half a dozen who had left the city, mustered at the appointed hour. The sight on the departure of the Rifles was a memorable one. Great crowds assembled, and gave an enthusiastic send-off to fathers, sons, and brothers who were giving their services to Queen and country. The sacrifice to many was a great one, but, to their credit be it said, it was acquiesced in without a murmur; in fact, cheerfulness to a degree was the prevailing sentiment.

The corps was dispatched to the front on September 30th, and remained for long at Estcourt, about forty miles from Ladysmith and the same distance from the Free State Border. The main duty of the corps until the arrival of the Army Corps was to keep open the lines of communication; many important bridges in the neighbourhood requiring close watching. How they did this work in the face of enormous difficulties is well known.

The officers on active service with the corps are: Captain A. S. Williamson (commanding), Captain Bird, Lieutenant Smith, and Lieutenant Jackson. Surgeon Captain Buntine is the regimental doctor. He, however, is serving with the more advanced troops, Surgeon-Lieutenant Briscoe being attached to the corps in the meanwhile.

The relations between officers and men are cordial, the popularity of the former being undoubted. The doctor had a great send-off on his departure from Estcourt to Ladysmith, which had since been made the main base of operations, and quickly proved his mettle. The Natal Royal Rifles are justly proud of him, for in the first engagement, in which a small party of Natal Volunteers kept an immeasurably superior force at bay, Surgeon-Captain Buntine earned the distinction of being the first man in the Natal Field Force to be mentioned in dispatches, he being recommended for distinguished service in the field, having rescued a wounded comrade from the very clutches of the enemy. He was the last man to leave the kopje, after satisfying himself that all our force were away. He then overtook a wounded trooper of the Natal Carbineers, and brought him safely through under a heavy fire.


Dr RA Buntine, referred to above. His medals are in my collection

Deeds such as the gallant doctor's do an incalculable amount of good in bracing men to fight against heavy odds, and if only as an emulation to others, apart from humane considerations and the kindred feeling which throbs in the heart of the true Englishman, deserve recognition.

Some of the Durban Light Infantry, Natal Royal Rifles, a squadron of Carbineers, and some of the Police were present in the action at Willow Grange on 22nd and 23rd November under Colonel Martyr and while General Buller was pounding away along the Tugela some of the Natal Volunteers under Major G. Leuchars were usefully employed about Greytown and the Zululand border.

The Umvoti Mounted Rifles, about 80 strong, with 50 Police, were at Greytown and Tugela Ferry from the beginning of the war, and 2 guns of the Natal Field Artillery and 150 Natal Royal Rifles were after 10th January in the Melmoth Field Force operating from Eshowe. The Greytown force did most excellent work; they were practically isolated from 18th November to 13th February, when they were joined by Bethune's Mounted Infantry. During that period the posts and drifts held by the Umvoti Mounted Rifles and Police were repeatedly attacked. On 23rd November a commando 400 strong attacked 100 men holding the drift, but the enemy was driven off. The stubborn defence made by Major Leuchars and his men prevented an invasion from that quarter and had a great moral effect, as was proved by the tenor of despatches from General Burgher to General Joubert which were captured. In this affair Sergeant Major Ferguson was severely wounded.

On 19th May the Durban Light Infantry and Natal Royal Rifles were ordered to garrison Dundee.

With Ladysmith relieved the need to maintain the Natal Volunteers in the field diminished and, like all except those who joined the Natal Volunteer Composite Regiment, the Natal Royal Rifles was stood down and its men sent home to pursue their civilian occupations unless called on again. They were to remain “active” until the cessation of hostilities on 31 May 1902 but did not take to the field again.

Thomalla had been promoted to Sergeant on 27 May 1900 and returned home in that rank.

Four years later the Bambatha Rebellion broke out in Natal and, although it is mentioned that Thomalla took part in this conflict, having been mobilised on 13 July 1906, there is no evidence to suggest that he was ever granted a medal for his efforts. A long-serving man, he was awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service & Good Conduct Medal in the Natal Government Gazette of 9 December 1907. He took his final leave of the military on 31 December 1912 – at the age of 48.

Paul Thomalla lived until the ripe old age of 83 before passing away in Grey’s Hospital, Pietermaritzburg on 25 June 1949 from Congestive Heart Failure. He was recorded as being a Salesman by occupation, living at 274 Loop Street, Pietermaritzburg. He is buried in the Mountain Rise Cemetery.

Acknowledgments:

- Rob Mitchell for CAFLSM roll
- Black & White for article on the Natal Royal Rifles
- Cam Simpson/Adrian Ellard for service details