Henry James Degacher CB

Degacher joined the 24th Regiment on 16th April 1858 having transferred from the 46th. He was appointed adjutant of the newly formed 2nd Battalion in the same year. He went with the battalion to Mauritius, then Burmah, the Andaman Islands and Madras until 1873. In 1875 he was in South Africa and sent to keep order during the Griqualand West Black Flag disturbances. On 9th June 1877 he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and given command of the 1st Battalion, a post he held until 1880. His brother was killed at Isandhlwana in January 1879. Henry took part in the Galeka and Zulu campaigns but did not command the regiment for the second advance into Zululand. He was awarded the CB for services in the war. He reached the rank of Major-General and commanded Canterbury District. He was appointed Colonel of the South Wales Borderers on 22nd Nov 1900 until 25th Nov 1902. The photo shows him as Lieutenant-Colonel c1877 in the uniform of the 24th Regiment, scarlet tunic with green facings and Commander of the Bath decoration visible. The circled Russia braid on his collar and cuffs as well as the double gold lace indicate his high regimental rank.

Regimental details | Commanding Officers