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Hi Andy J2022

Thank you Andy for answering me.
It's been a ride in getting specific information on the return by the troops to Cairo .

Relying on feedback cuts through the difficulty.

Thanks Bill Croke
Cheers from Australia. 

Hello Gunner1984.
Another well written article.

I have had posts under this topic "Second Anglo-Afghan War 1878-8" regarding my relative Thomas Francis Croke. (1st Btn 18th Foot Regiment Reg. No. 69B/854.) They have been very rewarding in getting history up to when he leaves India.

Now we find him on 29 Aug 1884; sailed with his regiment from Bombay to Egypt on HMS Hankow and three weeks later arrived at Cairo on 29 Sep 1884.

Thomas, now takes part in the war in Egypt from Sep 1884 to Feb 1885. They join an 11,000 strong force to be sent up the Nile to rescue General Charles Gordon in Khartoum.

Can you give guidance to where I may obtain Egypt (Nile Campaigns) Sudan information?

I have read allot on the internet, and get lost in the amount of reading. I seem to drive OK through the first part of the campaign, moving from Cairo 12 Nov1884 southwards by train, barges, sail boats etc along the Nile to the city of Korti on 27 Jan 1884. (Keeping in mind Thomas Francis Croke of 1st Btn 18th Foot Regiment was in this campaign).

I understand two columns were formed; one to stay on the Nile upstream the other column to cross the desert; both hoping to save Khartoum.

I need general information after the fall of Khartoum 26 Jan 1885, particularly how they returned to Cairo as some went via the desert route to join the Nile, whilst others went back on the Nile..... All somehow getting together back in Cairo.

Thomas sailed from Egypt to Plymouth England. He embarked at Alexandria Aug 24 1885, on Steam Ship Stirling Castle, and arrived at Plymouth Sept 9. 1885.

Gunner, I have read my post again, and hope its not to confusing.

Thanks Bill Croke
Cheers from Australia.
 

Extract from Discharged in New Zealand, page 19:

2/18th (ROYAL IRISH) REGIMENT
The 18th Regiment ("Paddy's Blackguards") formed a second battalion in
Ireland in 1858; when it was up to strength it moved to Aldershot (1859) and
later Portsmouth (1861) before going to the Channel Islands in May-June 1862.
It is interesting to note here the rates of pay applicable to the army at this
period; a Sergeant Major received 3s2d per day, Colour Sergeant 2s6d, Sergeant
2s, Corporal 1s4d, Private is and a Boy 10d. The battalion Schoolmaster got 4
shillings a day, but the 'Schoolmistress, 3rd class' only received 24 pounds
per annum.
In February 1863 the battalion moved to the Isle of Wight preparatory to
embarking at Portsmouth for New Zealand. On arrival at Auckland the 2/18th went
first to Otahuhu camp and then took part in various engagements along the route
of the Great South Road, eventually culminating in the action at Orakau (March-April 1864). After a brief return to Otahuhu the regiment sailed from Onehunga
to Wanganui early in 1865 and stayed in that area until November 1867 when they
returned to Auckland, except for two companies at New Plymouth and two sent to
Napier. In February 1870 they sailed for Australia, being the last Imperial
Regiment to leave New Zealand, and later that year they arrived back in England.
In the list of discharges an asterisk after the regimental number indicates
a soldier on the Married Establishment, recorded from April 1868; their marital
details are on page 22. It is interesting to note that in July 1869 the list
showed a total of 92 wives (12 of them named 'Mary Anne') and 238 children.

Spades

ADDENDUM:
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/nukumaru-nz-wars-memorial-whanganui
https://collection.pukeariki.com/persons/12848/218th-royal-irish-regiment

Hi Bill,

See this article on New Zealand's historical newspaper database, Papers Past:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01sck/
There are also other articles discussing this battle. Here is an after-action report listing casualties:
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH18650211.2.15
 
Also see:
https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cow02NewZ-c5.html
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/wanganui-war/1865-campaign
https://collection.pukeariki.com/objects/171917/lt-to-johnston-40th-regt-killed-nukumaru-jan-1865

The primary genealogists's guide for Imperial soldiers who took their discharge in New Zealand is the book Discharged in New Zealand by H & L Hughes (1988). I have searched my CD-ROM copy of this book and Patrick CROKE's name does not appear (although I am aware of a small number of omissions from my own research).

Do you know where Patrick took his discharge? Could it have been Australia?

Regards,

Spades

Hello Andy J2022 and Garen 

Thanks again for your discussion........ I will be back.... !
Posts like yours really assists people like myself in looking into family military. Particularly focused on the individual. Background is always a must.

I admit I do not know much on their 18th Regiment movements. Overall I have 3 members of the same family Patrick Croke, father, his 2 sons Thomas Francis Croke and James Croke.

With some effort I will finish off Patrick and Thomas Francis military history first.
Next I will look into James Croke.

Thanks Bill Croke
Australia