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Date	Original Topic
19th March 2003	researching officers details By Justin I'm trying to research the details of an officer who served in the Transval Rangers during the Zulu war. I'm wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction of where to find papers/details, if indeed such information exists. Many thanks in advance. Justin
Date	Replies
19th March 2003	John S Radburn Justin Telling us his name would be a good start. Regards John R
19th March 2003	Justin Hi John It would be helpful (sometimes I worry about myself!!) His name is Lieutenant H. Mc. K Paterson. Although this is the person I'm trying to get information on, I'd also be interested to find out if details to colonial troops in general are available. Many thanks Justin
27th March 2003	Ian Castle Justin Are you positive he fought in the Zulu War or could he have been with the unit in the campaign against Sekhukhune in 1878? I have a list of officers of the Transvaal Rangers which appears to have been compiled prior to May 1879 and Mr Paterson does not appear. Those listed are: Commandant P. Raaff, Captains LG Jullien, JG Dickson, JA Carr, Lieutenants W Fawcuss, S McGowan, H White, J McCarthy and S Colville. These were published in 'Volunteer Forces of the Transvaal and Instructions for their Guidence' compiled by CL Harvey, Pretoria, 1879. Do let me know if you make any further progress. Ian
30th March 2003	Justin Hi Ian I can't be sure where or what campaigns this Offcer fought in. I have his medal which has the bar 1878-9- so it is possible that he fought in the Sekukuni campaign in 1878 and the in 1879 but wasn't involved in the Zulu war itself. The medal is confirmed on the roll for the Transval Rangers but maybe he was an Officer attached from a British unit? I'm currently getting someone to check out the service papers in London to see if this could be a possibility and I will get in touch if I find anything out. Regards Justin
31st March 2003	Justin Dear Ian I’ve managed to find out some information on Lt McK Paterson- thanks to you post regarding Him not being on the list of Officers of the Transvaal Rangers in May 1879. I took a look at the Medal rolls for his name in other Units that were parts of Rowlands operation against Sekukuni in 1878 or 1879 and his name is down as the Orderly Sergeant of Ferreiras horse (entitled to the same Clasp 1878-9) My guess would be that Raaff and Mck Paterson would Have served together in Ferreiras horse in 1878 and when Raaff was recruiting for the second invasion of Zululand after many of his mens service was up, he may Have poached this NCO from Ferreiras horse, offering Him a commission in the Transvaal Rangers. On the other hand he might have recruited in late 1878 As an senior NCO and subsequently been promoted. As In this case he would only be shown as a LT on the roll. What do you think?- it would be interesting to find out What conflicts he served in but maybe this will make it easier for me. I’m sure he would have served in the Sekukuni campaign in 1878 but I don’t think Ferreiras Horse served in the invasion of Zululand (or did they?)- I also don’t think the Transvaal Rangers served in the Sekukuni campaign in 1879, so my guess (only a humble assumption) would be that he served in the second invasion of Zululand and/or subsequent operations just post the Zulu war. Thanks again for coming up with the May 1879 info> Regards Justin