NAM.1964-08-73-15

Waistbelt, other ranks’, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, 1879 (c). Buff leather belt with brass waistbelt clasp. From a collection of objects relating to Maj Gen R J C Marter, 1st (or King’s) Dragoon Guards, who captured the Zulu King Cetshwayo after the Battle of Ulundi. A large quantity of weapons and equipment was recovered and subsequently used by the Zulus after their overwhelming victory at Isandlwana. The belt has a paper label inside which states ‘Taken from Cetywayo’, which refers to the Zulu King Cetshwayo who was subsequently captured. According to records held by the Regimental Museum of the South Wales Borderers, the regimental accounting number (’2 24/ 413’) on the reverse of the belt and the ammunition pouch indicate they were issued to Private Thomas Ales of the 1st Battalion of the 24th. Private Ales was born in Liverpool and enlisted on 24 July 1874 at the age of 22. He was awarded the South Africa Medal with 1877 and 1878 clasps but is not listed amongst those killed at Isandlwana. Associated with Zulu War, 1879.

Isandlwana, Battle of, 1879 (Zulu War 1879)