South Africa Medal 1877-1879 1 Clasp 1877-8-9 to 1524 Private J. Bromwich 2-24th Foot Private Joseph Bromwich was born in St Mary's Warwick on the 18th November 1856 he enlisted on the 27th August 1877 at the age of 18 into the 28th Brigade 24th Foot (2nd Warwickshire) stating that his civilian trade was that of a Porter. He transferred the following day to the 1st Battalion 24th Foot (2nd Warwickshire's) and on the 31st January 1878 to B Company of the 2nd Battalion 24th Foot (2nd Warwickshire's) He was present at the Defence of the Rorke's Drift Mission Station - 22/23 January 1879 - and his name appears on the roll completed by Lieutenant John Rouse Merriott Chard VC, Royal Engineers, completed just days after the action. Eleven Victoria Crosses were won in this historic battle which saw approximately 150 troops, mostly from B Company of the 2nd Battalion 24th Foot, defend the mission station for twelve hours against repeated attacks by a Zulu force of between 4,000 and 5,000 troops. At the end of the battle the Zulu Impis (Zulu word = armed body of men) withdrew from the field leaving over 400 dead - of the defenders 17 had been killed and nearly all those still standing were wounded. Private Bromwich was discharged from the Army in 1882 suffering from Hepatitis he died on the 25th February 1916 and is buried in an un-marked grave in Bilston Cemetery, West Midlands.

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