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As he died in service, it's very unlikely that his records would have been retained. However, there are other records, at the National Archives, such as Muster Rolls which give a quarter by quarter account of where he was and when and should mention his death.

Many thanks John. It is fascinating - we are hoping to visit the Zululand battlefields later this year.

Don't know if you've seen this? From http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/discussion.php?topid=2255&forid=1

Private 25th Brigade No. 987 Roberts Adams, was killed in action, whilst a patient at the hospital at Rorke's Drift.

For further references see; 'The Noble 24th', by Norman Holme, 'The Rorke's Drift Doctor', by Lee Stevenson, 'Nothing Remains but to Fight', by Ian Knight & my own 'They Fell Like Stones'.

He is buried in the walled graveyard at Rorke's Drift.

Hope that's of some use.

Regards,
John Young,
Chairman,
Anglo-Zulu War Research Society.



From http://www.squidoo.com/rorkesdrift

The first attack was by the young warriors of the iNdluyengwe regiment who tried to rush the hospital. They were caught in a fierce crossfire and took terrible casualties. Some Zulus made their way round the back of the hospital and attempted to attack it from there. Joseph Williams was one of the defenders and outside his window lay the bodies of 14 Zulus he had killed. However, he was overrun, dragged outside and hacked to pieces. The same fate soon befell William Horrigan and one of the patients, Private Robert Adams.


How truly horrendous! How fascinating to have an ancestor caught up in a piece of history like this.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Rorke%27s_Drift

Of the eleven patients, nine survived the trip, as did all the able-bodied men. According to James Henry Reynolds only four defenders were killed in the hospital: one was a member of the Natal Native Contingent with a broken leg; Sgt Maxfield and Private Jenkins who were ill with fever and refused to be moved; and a Private Adams who also refused to move. A Private Cole assigned to the hospital was killed when he ran outside.

Have had a look on FMP not coming up with your Robert .

Regards Vera

Thanks all - I've searched the results on FMP, but none seem to match.

This gives you his Army No which would help to confirm any record you find:

2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment (2nd Warwickshire)
Adams, Robert. Private. 25B/987 D Company, killed in action 22 January 1879

from this site:
http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/battle/roll.htm

There are some possibles on FindMyPast but you need either a subscription or to buy credits to view them

As he died at Rorke's Drift, he's mentioned in a book which gives all of those details. Thanks.

FMP have Army records for that time. Where did you get his Attested date from?

Hi all,

I was wondering whether anybody might be able to help me - I'm looking for the service records of Robert Thomas Adams. Born 1858 in Bermondsey/London/Lewisham/Ladywell, joined the East Middlesex Militia, then the 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment (D Company) and fought at Rorke's Drift. Attested on 21/12/1876.

Any help gratefully received - unfortunately I only have an Ancestry subscription, which doesn't seem to cover the service records for these dates.

Many thanks,

Amy