Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1870 & 79

SAMUEL DANIEL(S) (1847 - 1879)


(With assistance from Tim Needham)

 

Samuel Daniel (sometimes known as Daniels) was a Trooper in the Natal Mounted Police in South Africa during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. He was killed in action during the defence of the camp at Isandlwana, and buried there.

 

He was born in the second quarter of 1847 in Salford, and baptised on 1st August 1847 at St Mary the Virgin Church, Eccles, Lancashire. His father was William Daniel (born 1821 in Glazebrook, near Warrington, Lancashire) who was an engineer, and his mother was Alice (nee Harrison) Daniel (born 1819 in Eccles). They were married on 7th October 1840 at St Mary the Virgin Church, Eccles. Alice was the daughter of John Harrison, Overlooker, and William was the son of Israel Daniel(s) of Glazebrook, Railway Police Officer (and later Station Master at Weaste Railway Station). Samuel had two older brothers James Daniels (born 1841 in Pendleton) and John (born 1844 in Pendleton). The 1851 census shows the family lived at Toft Street, Salford, where father William was aged 30 and an Engine Tenter, Alice was aged 32, James was aged 9, John was aged 6, and Samuel was aged 4. In 1861 the family lived at 24 Russel Place, Salford, where William was an Engineer, James and John were Warehouse boys and Samuel was a Pawnbrokers Assistant.

 

In 1871, Samuel was aged 23 and still a Pawnbroker's Assistant. He lived at the residence of his brother Dr James Daniels, General Practitioner, at Waterloo Street, Crumpsall, Manchester. Some time later Samuel emigrated to South Africa, where on 16th July 1877, he enlisted at Pietermaritzburg to become a Trooper in the Natal Mounted Police. In 1879 he was drafted for service in the Anglo-Zulu War, serving in Zululand with no.3 Column. He took part in the defence of the camp at Isandlwana on 22nd January 1979, where he was killed in action. Samuel was buried at Isandlwana and commemorated on the Colonial Memorial as "Daniels." (The Battle of Isandlwana was the worst defeat ever inflicted on the British Army during the entire Victorian period, and was portrayed in the 1979 film "Zulu Dawn." The battle immediately preceded the more well-known "Defence of Yorke's Drift," which was portrayed in the 1964 film "Zulu" which starred Michael Caine).

 

In August 1879, as part of the bulk compensation claim submitted by Major Dartnell for the loss of equipment at Isandlwana, a claim of £44.19.3 was made in favour of Samuel's estate for the loss of equipment, clothing and his horse which was killed in the camp. In 1880, his brother Dr James Daniel MD, who now resided at Burton Villa, Burton, Westmorland, was in correspondence with the Master of the Natal Court in relation to his brother's estate, and referred to his other brother Mr John Daniel of 33 Haliwell Street, Regent Road, Salford. Dr Daniel believed he was entitled to the full estate, as Samuel had owed him money, although he had never asked for it when alive.

 

Samuel's father William died in July 1873, aged 53 and was buried in a common grave at Weaste Cemetery. Samuel's mother Alice died on 29th December 1875, age 57, and was buried in grave 32/DISS/2169 at Weaste Cemetery. When Samuel died on 22nd January 1879, his name was inscribed on his mother's gravestone at Weaste Cemetery.