FERDINAND HUGO ZISSELL

Born: 1877, Hounslow, Middlesex.

Baptised: 1st July 1877, at St. Stephen’s Church, Hounslow. Parents: Ann & Georg Louis Zissell, a Baker, of High Street, Hounslow.

Died: 13th February 1900; age 24; Died of Enteric Fever, at Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Served 6 years & 200 days.

ENTERIC FEVER   Enteric Fever (eneterica serotype bacteria) was a rampant bacterial infection during the South Africa Boer War – 1899 – 1902.

This systemic disease, now known as Typhoid Fever, from the bacterium Salmonella typhi, is characterised by fever and abdominal pain. The disease is spread via the lymphatic system and can affect other parts of the body, or even the whole body. The symptoms usually developed a week or two after a person had became infected bringing on a high temperature, headaches, coughs, lethargy, aches and pains, lose of appetite, sickness and diarrhoea. After 2 – 3 weeks intestinal bleeding.

Enteric Fever was originally thought to be spread via dust storms and flies.

Human carriers with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply through their faeces, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. The polluted water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. Enteric (Typhoid) Fever is then contracted by drinking, or eating the contaminated food or water. This bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage.

In 1897, an effective vaccine was developed by Almroth Wright and William Leisman, at the Army Medical School, Netley. At the time of the Boer War, the new inoculation had many side effects, and soldiers refused the voluntary immunisation. The inoculation was still voluntary in August 1914, when Great Britain entered the First World War. 

Residence: White Hart Hotel, Wickham Market, Suffolk.

Occupation: Confectioner.

Enlistment Location: London; date: 7th June 1893; age: 18 years & 6 months; religion: CofE. Height: 5ft & 6 1/4ins, fair complexion, grey eyes & brown hair. Next of Kin: father – Georg L. Zissell, Mineral Waterworks Manufacturer – Hounslow, and elder brother – George L. Zissell, of the 17th Lancers. Later, the Zissell family were of the White Hart Hotel, Wickham Market, Suffolk.

White Hart Hotel, Wickham Market, Suffolk.

Service:

Joined at Winchester – 8th June 1893 – Private.

Appointed – Acting Corporal – 15th April 1896.

Promoted – Corporal – 23rd December 1897.

Elects to draw Messing Allowance under Army Order No. 65 of 1898 – 1st April 1898.

Extends his service 22nd February 1899 to complete 12 years with the colours.

Posted – Corporal – 25th March 1899.

Appointed – Acting Sergeant – 23rd June 1899.

Home: 7th June 1893 – 24th March 1899

Crete: 25th March 1899 – 2nd October 1899

South Africa: 3rd October 1899 – 13th February 1900.

Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 2764.

Regiment: The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own), 2nd Battalion – Natal Field Force.

Clasp Awarded: Defence of Ladysmith.

CENSUS

1881   195, High Street, Hounslow, Middlesex.

Ferdinand was 4 years old and living with his parents & siblings.

Georg Louis Zissell, 32, a Baker & Confectioner – employer, born Wetter, Marburg-Biedenkopf, Hesse-Cassel, Germany.

Ann Zissell (nee Adams), 33, born Bath, Somerset.

George Louis Zissell, 5, born Hounslow.

Caroline Sophia Zissell, 11 months, born Hounslow.

1 shop woman – baker.

1891   176, Piccadilly, St. James Westminster, London.

Ferdinand was 14 years old, a Baker’s Boy, and 1 of 6 servants for 29 year old, Thomas Edward B. Barker, a Biscuit Manufacturer & Confectioner.

Certificate of Naturalisation

Ferdinand’s father, Georg Louis Zissell, a 29 year old, Baker, born Wetter, Hesse-Cassel, Empire of Germany became a naturalised British Subject on the 28th March 1878, at the Home Office, London. He was residing at High Street, Hounslow, Middlesex, was married, and had 2 sons:

George Louis Zissell, age 2.

Ferdinand Hugo Zissel, age 1.

George Louis Zissell business was named “The Hounslow And Spring Grove Baker And Confectioner,” Georg could be contracted for Parties, Balls and Wedding Breakfasts. He offered his customers a large assortment of decorated cakes for presents and parties, real Scotch Short Bread, a choice selection of Bonbons. He made Wine Biscuits to his own recipe. Could cater for the latest fashions, and at Christmas offered tree ornaments, and New York’s gifts. His own Zissell’s Self Raising Flour and his own Milk Nursery Biscuits.

The Boer War.