South African Zulu War Medal Roll 1879. History.

The Zulu Nation under their King Cetewayo had made war on the troops in Natal, gaining an initial success at Isandlwana. On the 11th of February 1879 an unexpected order was received for the 1st Kings Dragoon Guards to go to South Africa on active service against the Zulus. The Left Wing under Major Marter left Aldershot on the 27th of February followed the next day by the Right Wing under the Command of Lt Colonel Henry Alexander. The Regiment embarked at Southampton in two Steamships ‘Spain’ and ‘Egypt’ arriving at Durban in April 1879. After the Regiment arrived at Durban, and Natal they disembarked and from there marched inland, arriving at Pietermaritzburg on 23rd of April. The Regiment went to work at once and it was ‘D’ and ‘H’ Troops which discovered the body of the Prince Imperial of France on the 2nd of June. The Regiment was engaged in keeping open line of communication, and detachments were present at the skirmish at Eyuganyani and the final battle of Ulundi. A patrol consisting of one squadron of the Kings Dragoon Guards and others, under command of Major Marter, pursued, tracked down and captured the Zulu King Cetewayo.