The Rorke's Drift VC Discussion Forum
(View Discussion Rules)

** IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL USERS **

PLEASE NOTE: This forum is now inactive and is provided for reference purposes only. The live forum is available at www.rorkesdriftvc.com/forum

(Back To Topic List)

Date	Original Topic
11th August 2002	James Nathaniel HAMER - Commissariat Department By Trish LEWIS I think this James could be my grandmother's 1/2 brother. I received from a British Museum a copy of a letter he wrote to his mother where he recounts his experience during the Battle of Isandlwana in January 1879, shortly before the action at Rorke's Drift. Has anyone ever come across this name in books or documents? I did find one reference to him on the internet "Memories of Forty-Eight Years Service by British General Sir Horace Lockwood Smith-Dorrien". It just gave his last name, but "kind of" the same story that James Nathaniel wrote in his letter, but a little different. Thank you. Trish LEWIS Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia Canada
Date	Replies
11th August 2002	John Young Trish, Certainly the references that I have relate to a Conductor James Hamer, a local recruit to Commissiariat & Transport Department. However, I have no mention of a second forename. James Hamer was attached to the Staff of Brevet Colonel Anthony William Durnford's No. 2 Column, a part of which was present at the action at Isandlwana. Hamer's report was published in the Natal press at the time. I check and forward the references to you, if you wish. John Young, Chairman, Anglo-Zulu War Research Society.
11th August 2002	Trish LEWIS Hello John, Thank you for your prompt reply. I've been checking all morning to see if I may have a reply. The copy of the letter I have does have a note on the top by his mother (James Nathaniel HAMER engaged in the Commisariat by Colonel Dunford ). And I have a friend in England who found "The only evidence, apart from his letter, that James was in the Commissariat Department, is in the rolls of recipients of the South African Medal 1877-79. A J.N. Hamer is shown as an Acting Control Officer listed with three other men, two of whom are shown as interpreters and all listed as being in the Commissariat and Transport Department". So it's looks like this has to be the same person as you mentioned. I would love the references to the Hamer's report, please. The letter is very interesting reading. Sounds like he was right in the middle of the Isandlwana battle. One part recounts James's escape from the Zulus, during which his horse "Dick" would go no further, "when a man of the "something" battery galloped up with a led? horse and let me have it, I had just taken the saddle off poor Dick when a bullet struck him death and the poor fellow who gave me the horse had only ridden ten yards when I saw him fall killed from his horse." This is quite similar to the account of Smith-Dorrien, but different. James also talks about George Shepstone, General Lor Chelmsford, Colonel Pellerine?, & a Major Spalding. Thank you for your reply. I've become quite interested in this battle now. Trish LEWIS Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia Canada
12th August 2002	Julian Whybra Dear Trish I also have a copy of the same (perhaps?) letter as you. An account signed James Nathaniel Hamer ACTD is in the (London) National Army Museum's files ref. 6807/386/8/File 14 letter Hamer to Chelmsford - we could compare copies if you wish. There is a ref. to three maps he supplied in this which are nowhere to be found now. There are also the following ref. to him by survivors: 1) A quotation from him in Edward Durnford's book p.310 2) A quotation from him in the Blue Books C2260 3) A quotation from him in an article from the C19 called 'Isandlana Disaster' in the British Library 4) There was an account by him in the Killie Campbell Africana Museum, Natal which DR Morris saw. This has now disappeared. 5) Smith-Dorrien's mention Regards
12th August 2002	Trish LEWIS Hi Julian Yes, that is the exact same reference I have for the letter. The museum said it was a letter addressed to his father, and his mother sent only part of it to the museum. I did see the reference to the three maps and also wondered where they were. I have not seen the other references to him you mentioned. I wonder what happened to the account by him in the Killie Campbell Africana Museum. If you would like to contact me directly, we can compare the letters if you like. They do sound like the same. Mine was four pages. James was my grandmother's 1/2 Uncle not her 1/2 brother like I said previously. I'm trying to find his descendants if there are any. Thank you for your reply. Do you have a connection to James HAMER? Trish LEWIS Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia Canada
12th August 2002	John S Radburn Trish On the Pietermaritzburb Archives Repository web site I have come across this snippet. Quote:- 'Postmaster General, Natal: Postmaster Harding resigns his office, application received from J N Hamer for the post' Reference GPO1 (A)/1878 Wether Hamer got the job I dont know but I believe that this is the same man. Regards John
12th August 2002	Trish LEWIS Hi John Yes, I believe it is the same guy too. I found that site you mentioned and printed off a copy for my records. Thank you for this information. I really apprecaite the help I've been getting. It's great. I'm glad I "surfed" upon this site. Trish
13th August 2002	Julian whybra Hi Trish No I have no connection with Hamer, but our ancestors may have rubbed shoulders together briefly at Isandhlwana!
13th August 2002	Trish LEWIS I'm sure they probably have. I just got the movie "Zulu Dawn" to watch. I'd sure like to find out if the story James told and the story Smith-Dorrien told are supposed to be the same incident, cuz it sure is conflicting. Thank you again, for all the help. Trish