Officers of the 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment, 1880

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Officers of the 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment, 1880.
(John Young Collection.)

The 77th supplied four officers on “special service” during the course of the Zulu War. Perhaps the best known is Harcourt Mortimer Bengough, who initially served in No. 2 Column. He was later involved in the reorganisation of the Natal Native Contingent, and his N.N.C. Battalion were assigned to Major-General Newdigate’s Division in the advance to Ulundi. Present at the Battle of Ulundi, subsequently served in Russell’s Column until the capture of King Cetshwayo.

Bengough is seated 2nd from the right wearing the riding boots.

Now that leaves the three others to be identified in this photograph:
Captain H.F. Marryatt, Lieutenants R.F. Westmacott & R.T.H. Law.

JY

Damned if they don't look like a bunch of Confederates on their way to Chancellorsville !

Settling down for a chorus or two of “Bonnie Blue Flag” or is it time for “Lorena”?

JY

Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star. agree

Frank,

You know that their sister Battalion, the 57th (West Middlesex) Regiment had a Zulu War song that was set to the tune of “Marching Through Georgia”?

JY

John that is news to me. Time to google

Posts : 3362 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi JY

Another great photograph from you.

For what it is worth:-
Lieutenant R.F. Westmacott 2nd on the left
Lieutenant R.T.H. Law Back Row 2nd on right

Andy

Subject: Officers of the 77th East M'sex Regt ;1880 Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:28 am

OUTSTANDING pic JY .
Well done Andy in the identifications , you to OUTSTANDING ! .
90th Very Happy

Andy,

Thanks for that.

JY

Great photo. One of the forebear regiments of Englands senior and finest regiment of the line (The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment) :)

Very unusual I think to see the 3 officers (including Bengough) in riding boots all appear to have sabretaches, which I thought were a cavalry only item of equipment?

Phil.

Phil,

It is not unusual in these group photographs to see officers wearing riding boots and sabretaches. Normally they are officers of Field Rank and also the battalion’s Adjutant.

Here’s another example, this is the 90th Light Infantry at Dover, 1874. The photograph is referenced elsewhere on the forum.

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90th Light Infantry.
(John Young Collection.)

The battalion’s commander, Palmer is in the patrol jacket in the centre, alongside him Major Rogers V.C., wearing the shako. Wood V.C. legs are for the most part obscured, but you can just discern the top of his right boot. The adjutant Lt. Laye is seated on the left.

JY

Thanks John. You learn something new everyday (especially on this forum) [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Subject: Officers of the 77th East M'sex Regt ;1880 Mon Jan 24, 2022 3:18 am

Excellent Pic of the 90th Regt JY .
90th .

» Lieutenant R T H Law 77th (East Middlesex) Regiment
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