Nevill Josiah Aylmer Coghill
Lieutenant, 1st Battalion 24th Regiment (South Wales Borderers)
- Register No.
- 229 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion 24th Regiment (South Wales Borderers) (register: 24th Regiment of Foot) all 24th Regiment of Foot VCs →
- Date of action
- 22 January 1879 on this day → all of 1879 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Zulu War
- London Gazette
- 2nd May 1879 and 15th January 1907 on this day → all of 1879 →
- Born
- 20th January 1852 at Drumcondra, County Dublin, Ireland
- Died
- 22nd January 1879 at Buffalo River, Zululand
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- Fugitive's Drift, Natal. Also his name is inscribed on the Colour Pike of the 24th Regiment in Brecon Cathedral
Digest of citation
On 22nd January 1879 after the disaster of the Battle of Isandhlwana, South Africa, Lieutenant Coghill joined another officer* who was trying to save the Queen's Colour of the Regiment. They were pursued by Zulu warriors and while crossing the swollen River Buffalo, Lieutenant Coghill went to the rescue of his brother officer, who had lost his horse and was in great danger. The two men were eventually overtaken by the enemy and following a short but gallant struggle, both were killed
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
COGHILL, Nevill Josiah Aylmer. (reg No. 229).
Lieutenant 1st Battalion 24th Regiment (South Wales Borderers).
London Gazetted on 2nd May 1879 and 15th January 1907.
Born on 20th January 1852 at Drumcondra, County Dublin, Ireland.
Died on 22nd January 1879 at Buffalo River, Zululand.
Memorial at Fugitive's Drift, Natal. Also his name is inscribed on the Colour Pike of the 24th Regiment in Brecon Cathedral.
Digest of Citation reads: On 22nd January 1879 after the disaster of the Battle of Isandhlwana, South Africa, Lieutenant Coghill joined another officer* who was trying to save the Queen's Colour of the Regiment. They were pursued by Zulu warriors and while crossing the swollen River Buffalo, Lieutenant Coghill went to the rescue of his brother officer, who had lost his horse and was in great danger. The two men were eventually overtaken by the enemy and following a short but gallant struggle, both were killed.
* T.Melvill (reg No. 858).
* T.Melvill (reg No. 858).
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: Fugitive's Drift, Natal. Also his name is inscribed on the Colour Pike of the 24th Regiment in Brecon Cathedral
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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