Full medal write up
SOUTH AFRICA 1877-79, NO CLASP ‘A. MAZULA P.O. 1 CL, HMS "BOADICEA"’
Aida Mazula was born in Bombay, India on 15 February 1849 and joined the Royal Navy on 5 February 1867, his trade given as Seaman and is first picked up as a Leading Seaman aboard H.M.S. Dove in January 1873. Advanced to Petty Officer 2nd Class of H.M.S. Jumma on 29 January 1874 and advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class of H.M.S. Asa on 3 November 1877, he joined H.M.S. Boadicea on 18 April 1878. Serving aboard this ship during the Zulu War, he was appointed Captain of the Hold in January 1879. Joining H.M.S Inconstant on 6 February 1880, he soon after joined H.M.S. Alexandria. His last appointments were Duke of Wellington on 1 February 1883 and Excellent on 30 March 1883. He was discharged to pension on 10 June 1887.
Aida Mazula was described as being 5 Foot 4, with black hair, eyes and complexion. Though his papers say he was born in India, Mazula is an African name (Aida is Arabic) and it is far more likely he was of African descent. Regardless, a most unusual South Africa 1877-9 medal to a man of Colour who had attained the rank of Petty Officer and this relatively quickly.
Condition VF, contact wear.