Find your ancestors in British Army Muster Rolls, 60th Foot 1879-1882

Discover your ancestor in the muster rolls of the 3rd Battalion of the 60th Regiment of Foot from 1879 to 1882. The muster rolls cover the Zulu War in South Africa (1879), 1st Boer War in South Africa (1880-1881) and the Battle of Tel El-Kebir in Egypt (1882). The regiment is also known as the King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

Each record includes a transcript created from the information found in the original muster rolls. The details in each transcript will vary depending on the military career of each solider. You may find a combination of the following information:

  • Name
  • Service number
  • Rank
  • Regiment
  • Battalion
  • Mounted infantry
  • 1879 Zulu muster roll
  • 1881 1st Boer War muster roll
  • 1882 Tel El Kebir muster roll

Additional notes – this may include the date the individual was enlisted, sickness, if wounded and when, date of discharge or date and cause of death.

Discover more about these records

The 60th Regiment was first raised in the American colonies in 1756 and was known as the Royal Americans. Their name was changed to the King’s Royal Rifle Corps after the Napoleonic Wars in 1830. The British Army Muster Rolls, 60th Foot include rolls from the regiment’s service during the Zulu War in South Africa (1879), 1st Boer War in South Africa (1880-1881) and the Battle of Tel El-Kebir in Egypt (1882).

During the Zulu War in South Africa, the 3rd Battalion of the 60th Regiment of Foot fought at the Battle of Gingindlovu. The 60th Rifles found the Zulu attacks extremely trying and relied on their officers to keep the line steady. The battle ended with a victory for Britain, but with the cost of the lives of 6 officers and 55 men. One of the officers killed was Brevet-Colonel Northey. The record shows that Brevet-Colonel Northey died of wounds received at Gingindlovu on 6 April 1879. He was the second in command. The records also show that eight other soldiers were wounded during the battle and two men died. Private Richard Winter died on 7 April 1879 of a gunshot wound to the chest at Gingindlovu and Private James Pratt was killed in action.

After the battle, Colour Sergeant Dickaty was court martialled for his actions during Gingindlovu. His record explains that he was charged with cowardice or misbehaviour in the face of the enemy and found guilty. His rank was reduced to Private and he was sentenced to 5 years of penal servitude. Later the charge was revoked and he went on to become Sergeant Instructor of Musketry.