A good Zulu War Battle of Gingindlovu and Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct pair awarded to Private William Styles, Royal Marines who saw service with H.M.S. Boadicea during the Zulu War being present at Gingindlovu and at the Relief of Eshowe being 1 of 223 men from the ship to receive the medal with clasp 1879. He would later be awarded the Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal whilst serving as a Private with the 10th Company, Royal Marine Light Infantry.
Pair: South Africa Medal 1877-1879, 1 Clasp: 1879; (W. STYLES. PTE. R.M. H.M.S. “BOADICEA”) Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Victoria, narrow suspender; (WIILLM STYLES. PRIVATE. 10TH CO. R.M.L.I.)
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine
William Styles saw service as a Private with the Royal Marines during the Zulu War being 1 of 223 men to serve with H.M.S. Boadicea who would be awarded the South Africa Medal 1877-1879 with clasp 1879.
HMS Boadicea was a Bacchante-class corvette launched in 1875. She served in the Zulu War between March–June 1879, and landed some of her men to join the naval brigade serving ashore; these took part in the Battle of Gingindlovu and the Relief of Eshowe.
During the Battle of Gingindlovu, at dawn on 2 April 1879, the morning sun revealed muddy ground and a thick mist. Chelmsford had decided, after hearing Dunn's report, not to continue toward Eshowe early the next morning. Instead, he would deploy units of the NNC to feel for the Zulus. As the NNC were preparing to advance, shots were heard from the night pickets still on duty. The impi was advancing; the main force split into two columns before crossing the Ineyzane and assuming the "chest and horns" formation. The left horn sharply curved to the right to assault the north-east corner of the laager, while the "chest" gently curved towards its the north face. Another force passed Misi Hill and approached the laager, forming the right horn of the impi.
The Bull's Head formation came at a run on the three sides of the laager as Chelmsford had wanted; at a range of 300–400 yd (270–370 m) the British infantry opened fire, supported by the Gatling guns and rockets. Zulu marksmen caused a few casualties within the laager but the defenders kept the Zulus at bay. Though the Zulu regiments made persistent rushes to get within stabbing range, their charges lacked the drive and spirit that had pushed them forward at the Battle of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. The only Zulu to reach the laager was a 10-year-old boy, who was taken prisoner by members of the naval brigade and later served as a mascot on their ship, Boadicea. Around 7:00 a.m., the impi had been halted but had not withdrawn. Chelmsford ordered his mounted troops to attack, soon followed by the NNC, John Dunn's scouts and the Boadicea commander with his flag-lieutenant. Many Zulu were killed as they swiftly retreated, though some turned and fought their pursuers.
Styles would later be awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal whilst serving as a Private, 10th Company, Royal Marine Light Infantry
