MILITARY SERVICE

  

                                                                                                      -Pictures can be enlarged by clicking

After 1873, John and Family moved from the Tower of London to Chester Castle as his father was relocated by the Government. He started employ as a messenger in the Control Department and then promoted to the Munitions Department.

At 16, John joined the 6th Chesire,  Earl of Chester's Rifle Volunteers. In Chester England, the Castle was originally built in 1070.

                                                                    
               Today, it is a museum and popular tourist attraction.


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                                     War was underway in Afghanistan. With his roving disposition, John 
wanted to see India. In 1879, he enlisted in the Royal Scots Army. He was sent to Glencorse, Ireland for six months of miltary training. He and many other trainees were selected to go Fermoy, Ireland and join the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Scots. They were involved in the Land League conflicts that were underway with Charles Stewart Parnell, founder of the Irish Parliamentary Party. Parnell is regarded by some as Ireland's most important figure in the 19th century.


 In 1881, John was added to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots and sent to Malta, in the Mediterranean. The 1st Battalion traveled to the West Indies spending time in Jamaica, Barbados, and Trinidad.

In Trinidad, at 26 years old, John was struck with yellow fever. After surviving that dreadful disease, he came down with malaria.In his words he survived both sicknesses by a "narrow margin". In fact, after the malaria attack he was actually carried over and placed on a pile of the dead. The sicknesses left his heart very weak. Army doctors recommended him to be discharged and sent back to England. He begged to stay and after much persistence was obliged. He was relieved of duty for 3 months. After gaining much of his strength back he was promoted to Corporal and placed in charge of the officers mess. He became acquainted with many prominent people including Prince Henry of Prussia.
 







In 1884, the 1st Battalion of the Royal Scots received orders and were shipped out to Egypt for serving in the Soudan. While on there way, the Boer conflict was spreading in Bechuanaland so they were redirected to Capetown, South Africa. Aproximately 8,000 men were sent at that time. The conflict at that time was known as the Betchuanaland Expedition 1884-1885









John was promoted to the rank of Sargent, and served along side Captain Baden Powell, later Sir Baden Powell who founded the Boy Scouts. He spent time in Malta, Caribbean and West Indies, Egypt, Sudan, and various other locations throughout Africa. His most memorable time was two years spent in Zululand, 1888-1889.



He loved and admired the Zulu people.In John's life history. he describes them as a "splendid race of people, very tall, of fine physique, honest and intelligent, brave in battle, and above all, an example to the world in morality; as friends they are wholly trustworthy; the more I came to know them the more I liked them for their many virtues. Civilization will do them no good." 








This is another personal picture that John R Wallis brought back from South Africa. This is Cetshwayo, the last king of Zululand.
















                                                                                                      

Somkeli - Zulu Chief of 300 wifes.





















The Royal Scots officers banner at Capetown 1887                      

                                       John R's last 2 years in South Africa were spent in Pieter-Maritzburgh, Natal. With thoughts of retiring from military life and coming to the United States, his commanding Colonel promised him an Musketry Instructorship and Warrant Officer's position at the Hythe military school in Hampshire, England if he would reenlist. John respectfully declined. He would miss South Africa, and most all, he would miss his big gray horse with the number 47 burnt into the hooves. John writes "they had become great friends.' In August 29,1891, John returned to England.

John's last military review certificate dated Dec. 4th, 1888 - Feb. 5th, 1891.