A fine Boer War storming of Sekukuni’s stronghold casualty South Africa Medal 1877-189, 1 Clasp: 1879 awarded to Private W. Law, 2nd Battalion, 21st Regiment of Foot – Royal Scots Fusiliers who was slightly wounded in action on 28th November 1879 during the Battalion’s assault on and capture of Sekukani’s Kraal on 28th November 1879, one of 2 officers and 17 other ranks killed and wounded from the battalion, and one of a total of 13 killed and 55 wounded in the action. Two Victoria Crosses would be won by members of the 94th Regiment for this action.
South Africa Medal 1877-1879, 1 Clasp: 1879; (901 PTE. W. LAW. 2-21ST FOOT.)
Condition: Good Very Fine
William Law was born in Brickley, Northamptonshire, a 20 year 4 month old Engine Driver, he attested for the 61st Brigade at Liverpool 11th September 1877 and was allocated to the 2nd Battalion, 21st Regiment of Foot. William served in South Africa from 22nd February 1879 (the date the Battalion embarked for South Africa) to 4th January 1882 taking part in the Zulu War. The Battalion was lso in South Africa in the outbreak of the First Boer War and his service record notes he served in the Transvaal War of 1880-1.
Serving in India from 5th January 1882 to 30th November 1883 he was discharged to the Army Reserve on 7th December 1883. An educated soldier, he was in possession of a First Class Education Certificate and re-joined the Colours 1st May 1885. Serving in the 21st Regimental District he joined the 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers (formerly the 21st Regiment of Foot) on 21st August 1884 and was appointed Bandsman on 16th July 1885. Discharged at Birr 12th September 1889 having completed a total of 12 years and 12 days service. William joined the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment at Lichfield 11th December 1889. (Private No. 2018) he recorded his occupation as Engine Driver aged 32 years 7 months, previous service in the Royal Scots Fusiliers of 12 years and home address as 24 October Street, Coldmore, Walsall, there is no note of his discharge date.
The 2nd Battalion, 21st Regiment disembarked at Durban 23rd March 1879, allocated to Nedigate’s Division for the second invasion of Zululand. Two companies of the Regiment were left in Fort Newgate, where they remained until the end of hostilities. On 20th June two companies were left in Fort Marshall, with Colonel Collingwood in command of the garrison. At the battle of Ulundi on 4th July 1879, part of the Regiment formed a section on the right of the hollow square, with the 58th Regiment bore the brunt of desperate Zulu onslaught, large numbers of which came to within 30 yards of the square before they were shot down and the advance halted. The Battalion was later to play a prominent part in the storming of Sekukuni’s Stronghold or Kraal suffering 2 officers and 17 other ranks killed and wounded, amongst those was Private William Law slightly wounded and notified in the London Gazette of 6th January 1880 page 283.
The attack on Sekukani’s Town in November 1879 a force of approximately 1400 Imperial troops from the 21st, 80th and 94th Foot, some 800 Colonials, and several thousand native levies under the command of General Sir Garnet Wolseley was assembled to attack the reputedly impregnable stronghold of the Basuto Chief Sekukuni. At 6am on the 28th November they launched a three-pronged attack. ‘The infantrymen with fixed bayonets charged. Thousands of knees pounding in unison had the sound of roaring surf. It seemed in harmony with the fusillades, the screams and yells, and the skirls of pipers – the very breath of the battle. The pipers stood at the foot of the hill bearing the ground with their feet while playing with fiendish energy. Within three hours the whole town of approximately 3,000 hits had been captured, however, Sekukuni himself had managed to escape, although he was captured four days later. British casualties were 13 killed and 35 wounded, two Victoria Crosses were won by soldiers of the 94th Regiment for this action.
