Zulu victory over the British forces on 22nd January 1879 about
100km north of Durban. Lord Chelmsford led a column of forces to seek out the
Zulu army camped at Isandhlwana, while patrols searched the district. After
receiving a report, Chelmsford set forth at half strength, leaving six companies
of the 24th Regiment, two guns, some Colonial Volunteers and a native contingent
(in all about 1,800 troops) at the camp. Later that morning an advanced post
warned of an approaching Zulu army. Shortly after this, thousands of Zulus were
found hidden in a ravine by a mounted patrol but as the patrol set off to warn
the camp, the Zulus followed. At the orders of the Camp Commander, troops spread
out around the perimeter of the camp, but the Zulu army broke through their
defences. The native contingent who fled during the attack were hunted down and
killed. The remaining troops of the 24th Regiment, 534 soldiers and 21 officers,
were killed where they fought. The Zulus left no one alive, taking no prisoners
and leaving no wounded or missing. About 300 Africans and 50 Europeans escaped
the attack. Consequently, the invasion of Zulu country was delayed while reinforcements
arrived from Britain.
Zulu War art prints of the Battle of
Isandhlwana, 24th
Regiment South Wales Borderers. Fine art prints by Charles Fripp, Simon Smith
and Alphonse De Neuville.
Isandlwana 22nd January 1879 - Saving The Guns by Jason Askew
The painting shows one of the two seven pounder guns and gun team attempting to retreat at speed as they are overrun. The British force consisted of 2 guns and 70 men of N Battery, 5th Brigade, Royal Artillery, 5 companies of 1st Battalion, the 24th Foot, 1 company of 2nd Battalion, the 24th Foot and Mounted volunteers and Natal Police and two companies of the Natal Native Infantry. The losses during the battle were 52 British officers and 806 non-commissioned ranks killed and 471 Africans died fighting for the British. Zulu warrior dead were around 2,000 dead either on the field or from wounds. There were only around 60 Europeans survived the battle.
Item Code : JA0003
Isandlwana 22nd January 1879 - Saving The Guns by Jason Askew - Editions Available
Battle of Isandhlwana. Zulu victory over the British forces on 22nd January 1879 about 100km north of Durban. Lord Chelmsford led a column of forces to seek out the Zulu army camped at Isandhlwana, while patrols searched the district. After receiving a report, Chelmsford set forth at half strength, leaving six companies of the 24th Regiment, two guns, some Colonial Volunteers and a native contingent (in all about 1,800 troops) at the camp. Later that morning an advanced post warned of an approaching Zulu army. Shortly after this, thousands of Zulus were found hidden in a ravine by a mounted patrol but as the patrol set off to warn the camp, the Zulus followed. At the orders of the Camp Commander, troops spread out around the perimeter of the camp, but the Zulu army broke through their defences. The native contingent who fled during the attack were hunted down and killed. The remaining troops of the 24th Regiment, 534 soldiers and 21 officers, were killed where they fought. The Zulus .........
At the end of the Battle of Isandhlwana, the last few soldiers of the South Wales Borderers, 24th Regiment of Foot, hold out till their last rounds of ammunition in the foothills of the mountain.
Item Code : LI0007
Last of the 24th by Stuart Liptrot. - Editions Available
Last Stand of the 24th Regiment at the Battle of Isandhlwana by Simon Smith
Battle of Isandhlwana. Zulu victory over the British forces on 22nd January 1879 about 100km north of Durban. Lord Chelmsford led a column of forces to seek out the Zulu army camped at Isandhlwana, while patrols searched the district. After receiving a report, Chelmsford set forth at half strength, leaving six companies of the 24th Regiment, two guns, some Colonial Volunteers and a native contingent (in all about 1,800 troops) at the camp. Later that morning an advanced post warned of an approaching Zulu army. Shortly after this, thousands of Zulus were found hidden in a ravine by a mounted patrol but as the patrol set off to warn the camp, the Zulus followed. At the orders of the Camp Commander, troops spread out around the perimeter of the camp, but the Zulu army broke through their defences. The native contingent who fled during the attack were hunted down and killed. The remaining troops of the 24th Regiment, 534 soldiers and 21 officers, were killed where they fought. The Zulus .........
Saving the Queens Colours at the Battle of Isandhlwana by Alphonse de Neuville
The painting shows Lieutenant T. Melville along with Lieutenant N J A Coghill attempting to Save the Queen's Colours of the 1/24th and fight their way out of the Battle of Isandhlwana. Lieutenant Melville was the adjutant of the 1st Battalion, the 24th Foot. Melville collected the Queen's Colours from the guard tent towards the end of the battle and rode out of camp heading for the Tugela River. Melville arrived at the river, and due to the heavy rains the Tugela was in flood. Melville rode into the river but about half way across came off his horse, still clutching the colours. Lieutenant Coghill, also of the 24th Foot, crossed the river soon after and went to Melville's assistance. The Zulus were on the bank and opened a heavy fire on them. Lt Coghill's horse was killed and the colour swept away. Both officers struggled to the Natal bank where it seems it is llikely that both men were killed by Natal natives. The colours would later be recovered from the Tuge.........
On the 11th January 1879, a British Force under the command of Lord Chelmsford crossed the Buffalo River into Zululand. A small garrison was left at Rorkes Drift. The force consisted of 1600 British troops, mainly from the 1st and 2nd Battalions 24th Regiment, and 2500 native soldiers. A tented camp was established at Isandhlwana Hill. At 4am on the morning of 22nd January, Lord Chelmsford took half his force to reconnoitre to southeast in search of main Zulu army. Just after 8am a force of 25000 Zulu warriors attacked the remainder of the force in the camp. Surprised, outnumbered by more than six to one, in a position offering little defence, the defenders were soon overpowered and a dreadful slaughter ensued. A few men escaped and re-crossed the Buffalo River to safety. Victoria Crosses were awarded to Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill, who saved the Queens Colour of the 1st/24th and to Private Wassell, 90th Foot, who saved a comrade while escaping across the Buffalo River.
Item Code : DHM0084
Battle of Isandhlwana by Charles Fripp. - Editions Available
Private Samuel Wassall of the 80th Regiment of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers) at Fugitives Drift by Jason Askew.
Private Wassall, whilst escaping the debacle of Isandhlwana, was being pursued by Zulu warriors as he made his way down the Buffalo River, the border between Zululand and Natal. Wassall rode his Basuto pony into the river, but upon hearing a cry for help and seeing a man from his own regiment drowning, he turned and made his way back to the Zulu side of the river, Quickly dismounting he tied his horse to a tress, swam into the river and rescued a private called Westwood as the Zulus were sweeping along the riverbank just at the moment the Zulus rushed forward. For his act of valour in the face of the enemy Private Samuel Wassall was awarded the first of the Zulu War Victoria Crosses.
Item Code : DHM1528
Private Samuel Wassall of the 80th Regiment of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers) at Fugitives Drift by Jason Askew. - Editions Available
Battle of Isandhlwana, 22nd January 1879 by Brian Palmer.
Last stand of the 24th South Wales Borderers at Isandhlwana during the Zulu War. The battle of Isandhlwana, a Zulu victory over the British forces on 22nd January 1879 about 100km north of Durban. Lord Chelmsford led a column of forces to seek out the Zulu army camped at Isandhlwana, while patrols searched the district. After receiving a report, Chelmsford set forth at half strength, leaving six companies of the 24th Regiment, two guns, some Colonial Volunteers and a native contingent (in all about 1,800 troops) at the camp. Later that morning an advanced post warned of an approaching Zulu army. Shortly after this, thousands of Zulus were found hidden in a ravine by a mounted patrol but as the patrol set off to warn the camp, the Zulus followed. At the orders of the Camp Commander, troops spread out around the perimeter of the camp, but the Zulu army broke through their defences. The native contingent who fled during the attack were hunted down and killed. The remaining troops .........
Scouts find the bodies of Melville and Coghill with the colours nearby. In fact, the Colours were lost in the river and were found later, both men were posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Lieutenant Melville was the adjutant of the 1st Battalion, the 24th Foot. Melville collected the Queen's Colours from the guard tent towards the end of the battle and rode out of camp heading for the Tugela River. Melville arrived at the river, and due to the heavy rains the Tugela was in flood. Melville rode into the river but about half way across came off his horse, still clutching the colours. Lieutenant Coghill, also of the 24th Foot, crossed the river soon after and went to Melville's assistance. The Zulus were on the bank and opened a heavy fire on them. Lt Coghill's horse was killed and the colour swept away. Both officers struggled to the Natal bank where it seems it is llikely that both men were killed by Natal natives.
Item Code : DHM0971
Last Sleep of the Brave by Alphonse De Neuville - Editions Available
A solitary soldier of the 24th Reg. fights off the Zulu warrior in hand to hand combat with bayonet fixed as many more advance on him to seal his fate. Last stand of the 24th South Wales Borderers at Isandhlwana during the Zulu War. The battle of Isandhlwana, a Zulu victory over the British forces on 22nd January 1879 about 100km north of Durban. Lord Chelmsford led a column of forces to seek out the Zulu army camped at Isandhlwana, while patrols searched the district. After receiving a report, Chelmsford set forth at half strength, leaving six companies of the 24th Regiment, two guns, some Colonial Volunteers and a native contingent (in all about 1,800 troops) at the camp. Later that morning an advanced post warned of an approaching Zulu army. Shortly after this, thousands of Zulus were found hidden in a ravine by a mounted patrol but as the patrol set off to warn the camp, the Zulus followed. At the orders of the Camp Commander, troops spread out around the perimeter of the cam.........
Lt. Melvill rescues the British colours from the field at Isandhlwana, South Africa. For this action, he was awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. Lieutenant Melville was the adjutant of the 1st Battalion, the 24th Foot. Melville collected the Queen's Colour from the guard tent towards the end of the battle and rode out of camp heading for the Tugela River. Melville arrived at the river, and due to the heavy rains the Tugela was in flood. Melville rode into the river but about half way across Melville came off his horse, still clutching the colours. Lieutenant Coghill, also of the 24th Foot, crossed the river soon after and went to Melville's assistance. The Zulus were on the bank and opened a heavy fire on them. Lt Coghill's horse was killed and the colours swept away. Both officers struggled to the Natal bank where it seems it is likely that both men were killed by Natal natives. The colours would later be recovered from the Tugela River Both officers would b.........
Battle of Isandhlwana 22nd January 1879 (Major Figures of the Battle) by Stuart Liptrot
The centre drawing shows the last groups of soldiers of the 24th South Wales Borderers at Isandhlwana during the last of the battle as the force consisting of 2 guns and 70 men of N Battery, 5th Brigade, Royal Artillery, 5 companies of 1st Battalion, the 24th Foot, 1 company of 2nd Battalion, the 24th Foot, Mounted volunteers and Natal Police and two companies of the Natal Native Infantry is overrun by superior numbers of Zulu warriors. Surrounding the centre drawing are portraits of some of the main figures. These are from top left : Lieutenant Colonel H B Pulleine 24th Regt, Lieutenant N J A Coghill 1/24th Regt, Quartermaster E Bloomfield 2/24th Regt, Captain R Younghusband 1/24th Regt, Private S Wassall VC 80th Regt, Brevet Major S Smith Royal Artillery, Brevet Colonel A W Durnford Royal Engineers, Lieutenant T Melville VC 1/24th Regt, Lieutenant H Smith-Dorrien 95th Regt and Lieutenant C D Pope 2/24th Regt. The losses during the battle were 52 British officers and 806 non-commis.........
On the 11th January 1879, a
British Force under the command of Lord Chelmsford crossed the Buffalo
River into Zululand. A small garrison was left at Rorke's
Drift. The force consisted of 1,600 British troops, mainly from the
1st and 2nd Battalions 24th Regiment, and 2,500 native soldiers. A
tented camp was established at Isandhlwana Hill. At 4am on the
morning of 22nd January, Lord Chelmsford took half his force to
reconnoitre to southeast in search of main Zulu army. Just after 8am
a force of 25,000 Zulu warriors attacked the remainder of the force in the
camp. Surprised, outnumbered by more than six to one, in a position
offering little defence, the defenders were soon overpowered and a
dreadful slaughter ensued. A few men escaped and re-crossed the
Buffalo River to safety. Victoria Crosses were awarded to Lieutenants
Melvill and Coghill, who saved the Queen's Colour of the 1st/24th and to
Private Wassell, 90th Foot who saved a comrade while escaping across the
Buffalo River (This text is reproduced under the image of the print
DHM1111 and also DHM084A)
