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John Cantwell
was born in Dublin in 1845.He first enlisted in the 9th (Norfolk)
Regiment in November 1868, but later transferred to the Royal Artillery
in 1872.
He joined the
5th Brigade in July 1877 and arrived in South Africa in January
1878. He was promoted to Bombardier Wheeler in July 1878, but was
demoted the day before the defence of Rorke's
Drift.
For his actions
at Rorke's Drift, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
He was discharged at Woolwich in July 1889 and went to live in Natal.
In 1935, his widow presented two copies of the Chard
Roll to the SWB
Museum. The whereabouts of his DCM and campaign medal are unknown.
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