A good Zulu War Battle of Gingindhlovo and relief of Eshowe and Egyptian War Suakin operations Naval Brigade group awarded to Petty Officer 2nd Class J. Hicks, HMS Shah, later Captain of the Coxswain of HMS Humber who would see service with the Naval Brigade during the Zulu War in South Africa where he would take part in the Battle of Ginghindhlovo on 2nd April 1879 where the Royal Navy and their guns held the corners of the British Square. He would subsequently serve with the Naval Brigade during the Egyptian War seeing service ashore during the operations at Suakin during the period from 19th February to 26th March 1884, being one of 67 from Humber to qualify for the clasp Suakin 1884, and was still aboard her when he took part in the operations at Suakin during the period from 1st March to 14th May 1885, being one of 100 men from Humber to qualify for the clasp Suakin 1885. Approximately 40 men of the Royal Navy are entitled to the two clasps together.
Group of 3: South Africa Medal 1877-1879, 1 Clasp: 1879; (J. HICKS. P.O. 2ND CL. H.M.S. “SHAH”) Egypt Medal 1882-1889, dated reverse, 2 Clasps: Suakin 1884, Suakin 1885; (J. HICKS. CAP: COX. H.M.S HUMBER.”) Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, note the incorrect date.
Condition: Good Very Fine
James Hicks was born near Milford, near Lymington, Hampshire and joined the Royal Navy on 1st January 1865 initially serving as a Boy 2nd Class with Endymion, being advanced to Boy 1st Class on 24th April 1867 and then Orderly from 15th August 1868. He would transfer to Resistance on 22nd May 1869, then Aurora on 25th June 1871 before transferring to the Duke of Wellington on 29th October 1872 then service as an Able Seaman on Duke of Wellington, until 13th October 1873, he would then serve aboard Bellerophon from 10th October 1873 until 27th September 1876, and being noted with Himalaya on 28th September 1876. He is then noted in prison for 21 days, before returning to Bellerophon from 2nd November to 9th December 1876. He would then serve aboard Tamar from 10th December 1876 until 1st January 1877, Duke of Wellington from 2nd January to 27th February 1877, Asia from 28th February 1877 until 8th March 1878, Duke of Wellington from 9th March 1878 until 30th April 1878, he would then be promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class as he transferred to Triumph on 1st May 1878, subsequently transferring to Shah on 17th November 1878.
Shah was diverted to South Africa to assist in the Anglo-Zulu War, after having called at Saint Helena, her crew learnt of the defeat at Isandhlwana. She took on board 200 troops provided by the island’s Governor, and sailed for the Cape Colony. On 7th March 1879 she disembarked 16 officers and 378 men at Durban, and this force was then led by Commander John Brackenbury.
On 18th March 1879, the Naval Brigade with the force heading to relieve Eshowe fought at the Battle of Gingindhlovo on 2nd April where the Royal Navy and their guns held the corners of the British square. After the relief of Eshowe on 4th April, Commander (Acting Captain) Campbell was placed in command of the whole Naval Brigade numbering over 800 officers, seamen and marines. With much of the fighting already over, the detachment from HMS Tenedos re-embarked on 8th May. HMS Active's and HMS Shah's contingents re-embarked on 21st July.
Shah would be appointed Able Seaman on 27th August 1879 and would remain aboard the ship until 31st October 1879 when the ship would return to England.
Hicks would then return to the Duke of Wellington until being posted Vernon from 1st January to 30th April 1880, Duke of Wellington from 1st May 1880 until 31st May 1880, Asia from 1st June 1880 until 11th May 1882 being appointed Leading Seaman on 1st August 1881 whilst aboard.
He would subsequently serve with Duke of Wellington from 12th May 1882 until 11th June 1882, when he was posted to Humber with whom he would see service with the Naval Brigade during the Egyptian War being promoted Petty Officer 1st Class and appointed Captain of the Coxswain and seeing service ashore during the operations at Suakin during the period from 19th February to 26th March 1884, being one of 67 from Humber to qualify for the clasp Suakin 1884, and was still aboard her when he took part in the operations at Suakin during the period from 1st March to 14th May 1885, being one of 100 men from Humber to qualify for the clasp Suakin 1885.
After leaving Humber on he would serve aboard Duncan from 13th November 1886 until 21st December 1886, when he would transfer to Duke of Wellington. He would transfer to Vernon on 12th January 1887 remaining there until 13th September 1888, then would serve aboard Duke of Wellington for a single day, then Tyne from 16th September 1888 until 10th July 1889, and then ending his service with Wildfire on 5th April 1890 being shore pensioned.
Note the incorrect date on the Khedive’s Star which should be dated 1882.
