Full medal write up
SOUTH AFRICA 1877-9, CLASP, 1878-9 ‘1073 PTE. F. HATTON. 80TH. FOOT.’
Frederick Hatton an 18 year old labourer from Walsall, Staffordshire, enlisted into the 80th Foot on 11 June 1877. He served in South Africa from March 1878, taking part in the Sekukuni campaign that year and the Zulu War in 1879. Embarking for home service in 1880, he transferred to the 38th Foot (1st South Staffordshire’s) on 30 September 1881. With this battalion, he served in the Egyptian Campaign of 1882 (medal and no clasp/Khedives Star) but was discharged to the Army Reserve on 7 July 1883. Hatton appears to have reenlisted into his regiment in 1886 but could not be traced in musters after March 1888.
In 1876 the 80th were ordered to South Africa, arriving in Natal in 1877. In 1878 they took a leading role in the operations against Sekukuni and at the outbreak of hostilities with the Zulu’s in 1879 it was attached to the Colonel Rowlands number 5 column. Initially stationed at Luneberg, the regiment suffered heavy casualties at Intombi River on 12th March. In April the 80th was ordered to join Wood’s Column at Khambula and took part in all the subsequent operations with the flying column, including the battle of Ulundi. On the conclusion of hostilities, part of the regiment was involved the second Sekukuni campaign in late 1879. The regiment finally left South Africa in 1880.
626 1878-9 clasps for 80th Foot.
Condition NVF, several EK’s between 5 and 8 o’clock. Sold with a comprehensive file of research.