I knew i have heard of Beddoes.
Captain H G Macgregor, serving on Pearson's Staff and of the 29th Regiment, eventually resolved the issue. He used a mirror 18" by 12" and a piece of old pipe found in the church at Eshowe (Ekowe) to make an improvised heliostat, although this first attempt was a failure. The next system was much more successful. Captain G K E Beddoes of the Natal Native Pioneers solved the problem of the moving sun by fixing the mirror on a pivot so it could be easily realigned. The pivot was then placed on top of a barrel and a sighting system of wire directing rods was erected. The morse flashes were still made by light with a board strapped to the operators hand. On 14th March two way communication was opened and remained in operation until Eshowe (Ekowe) was relieved on 3rd April.
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