Anglo Zulu War of 1879
The 44th East
Essex and 56th West Essex were not involved in the first Boer
War although a few individual members and members of Essex
Militia/Volunteer Battalions served with other battalions.
Several Units based in Essex did take part in the campaign such
as the 3rd Battalion of the 60th Kings Royal Rifle Corps who
left their Colchester Barracks in February 1879 to take part in
the war.
Richard Stevens of 10th Essex Rifle Volunteers
Narrative
of the War
For many years the Zulus and other tribes co existed alongside
the British and Boer settlers although incidents happened that
caused all sides concern.
The Zulus were a warrior tribe who has managed to take over a
large area of Southern Africa by taking it from other less
martial tribes.
A border dispute between the Zulus and the Boers plus a plan by
the British to create a Federation of South Africa, which would
bring the Boers and Zulus under British Rule, combined to create
an increase of tension which led to allegations of misconduct on
all sides.
An ultimatum was delivered to Cetshwayo, the Zulu King was in
such terms that he was unable to accept.
On 11 January 1879 a 15,000 strong British Army under the
command of Lord Chelmsford moved into Zulu territory.
Cetshwayo gathered about 35,000 men albeit armed with
traditional weapons to fight the invaders.
Lord Chelmsford divided his force into three columns with the
centre column moving through Rorkes Drift at a place called
Isandlwana.
A decoy attack at Isandlwana drew off most of the troops in the
centre leaving the camp exposed to an attack from 20,000 Zulus
who destroyed the camp and killed 1,800 troops and 400
civilians.
The left column commanded by Henry Evelyn Wood VC , who was born
at Cressing, remained as a fighting force limiting a total Zulu
victory.
The British Forces withdrew to regroup and in March 1879
returned to establish fortifications and to win many smaller
battles before they were able to engage Cetshwayo again on 4
July 1879 at Ulundi where the Zulu forces were comprehensively
beaten and their army dispersed.
Some people
killed in the Zulu War who has connections with Essex were
Colour Sergeant Ross of the 24th Regiment, who lived at Maldon,
was killed.
Quartermaster Bloomfield from Chelmsford
Francis Louis Secretan of Leyton who served with Natal Mounted
Police
Mr Francis James Holcroft, solicitor of Danbury who served with
the Natal Native Contingent
Mr Robert Lumley brother of the Chaplain to Chelmsford Prison
Mr Hawkins cousin to the Rector of Chelmsford
Captain Younghusband of the 24th Regiment
Survived
the War
Lt J H Jervis-White of 6 Brigade Royal Artillery who was son of
MP for Harwich
Captain Francis James Baker of Stondon Massey served with
Captain Bakers Horse
Private Thomas Bray of Boreham who served with 24th Regiment
Field Marshall Sir Henry Evelyn Wood VC, GCB, GCMG
