24th Regiment

The full title of the regiment is The 24th Regiment of Foot, 2nd Warwickshire, and for a history of the regiment from its founding in 1689 as part of William of Orange's defence of the English kingdom he had just relieved from King James II, see the website The British Empire at https://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishinfantry/24thfoot.htm.

Deployment in South Africa

The 1st Battalion had been in South Africa since 1875, stationed in Cape Town and campaigning in West Griqualand in 1875, and then in the Galeka War of 1877-78.

The 2nd Battalion which was raised in 1858 had seen service in Burma, the Andaman Islands and Madras. They arrived in Natal just in time to take part in Lord Chelmsford's invasion of Zululand in January 1879.

Role in South African theatre and performance

On 22 May, 1876 the 1st Battalion's brass band performed as part of a benefit performance by Disney Roebuck and his company for Sutton Vane in the Theatre Royal, Burg Street, Cape Town. The plays performed were Perfection (Bayly) and Richelieu (Bulwer-Lytton).

https://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishinfantry/24thfoot.htm