Latest topics | » George Hocking Yesterday at 9:25 pm by RickB24 » Mainwaring 1879 map. Wed Nov 29, 2023 7:38 pm by SRB1965 » NNH losses at Isandlwana Wed Nov 29, 2023 12:49 pm by WeekendWarrior » Did Grant leave another account of the RB? Tue Nov 28, 2023 7:35 am by SRB1965 » Who paid the ferryman or men? Tue Nov 28, 2023 6:45 am by Stefaan » Private J. McCrudden 1/13 Foot  Mon Nov 27, 2023 4:52 pm by John Young » Marius Jespersen from Faroe Islands Mon Nov 27, 2023 10:08 am by Julian Whybra » It's all Sir Garnet....except for the Doctor  Sun Nov 26, 2023 3:43 pm by Julian Whybra » Lance Corporal William Halley, Rorke's Drift Defender Sun Nov 26, 2023 3:40 pm by Julian Whybra » Trooper Christian Hayhow, Natal Carbineers Fri Nov 24, 2023 10:48 pm by aussie inkosi » Identification Fri Nov 24, 2023 2:04 pm by SRB1965 » Sporting guns Fri Nov 24, 2023 6:38 am by Stefaan » Commenwealth War Graves Commission Thu Nov 23, 2023 9:10 am by Kenny » Capt Francis Emberton. Wed Nov 22, 2023 4:08 am by Guest57 » List of Zulu War Veterans who emigrated to Australia and New Zealand Tue Nov 21, 2023 7:31 pm by John Young » Spare Weapons at Rorke's Drift Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:29 am by John Young » Captain The Honourable Julian Grenfell Mon Nov 20, 2023 7:50 pm by 1879graves » Lieutenant Richard Hawes MacCarthy, 2nd/4th Regiment  Mon Nov 20, 2023 6:55 am by krish » Grave of James Ruck Sun Nov 19, 2023 6:08 pm by Eddie » Eye Witness RD Sun Nov 19, 2023 5:08 pm by Eddie » Bettingtons Horse  Sun Nov 19, 2023 2:35 pm by John Young » Wanted - Looking For Zulu Items Mon Nov 13, 2023 5:48 pm by sekukuni » A farewell message Mon Nov 13, 2023 10:09 am by Julian Whybra » In deference to other online platforms discussing the history of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 Sun Nov 12, 2023 3:50 pm by Julian Whybra » Drivers of the waggons? Sat Nov 11, 2023 11:22 pm by Julian Whybra » Old School Members Retreating.  Sat Nov 11, 2023 7:18 pm by ADMIN» Biscuit boxes at iSandlwana Sat Nov 11, 2023 12:53 pm by SRB1965 » Read and write? Sat Nov 11, 2023 8:38 am by Julian Whybra » NO TORTURE OF 'LITTLE DRUMMER BOYS' (OR ANYONE ELSE) AT ISANDLWANA Fri Nov 10, 2023 6:28 pm by Julian Whybra » Zulu accounts of certain aspects of Isandlwana  Fri Nov 10, 2023 5:52 pm by SRB1965 » Zulu Dawn/Zulu - New Immortals Film The Way Forward ? Fri Nov 10, 2023 9:37 am by Julian Whybra » Naval Brigade Research Request Wed Nov 08, 2023 2:58 pm by Petty Officer Tom » Rorke's Drift Hotel  Wed Nov 08, 2023 3:47 am by 90th » England's Sons 'type' publication for intombi? Tue Nov 07, 2023 12:37 pm by SRB1965 » Mens on top of Isandlwana hill Sat Nov 04, 2023 9:45 am by Loneguyonthestreet |
Top posting users this month | |
Fair Use Notice | Fair use notice.
This website may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner.
We are making such material and images are available in our efforts to advance the understanding of the “Anglo Zulu War of 1879. For educational & recreational purposes.
We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material, as provided for in UK copyright law. The information is purely for educational and research purposes only. No profit is made from any part of this website.
If you hold the copyright on any material on the site, or material refers to you, and you would like it to be removed, please let us know and we will work with you to reach a resolution. |
| | TROOP SERGEANT MAJOR SIMEON KAMBULA,(EDENDALE), NATAL NATIVE HORSE | |
| | Author | Message |
---|
old historian2

Posts : 1095 Join date : 2009-01-14 Location : East London
 | Subject: TROOP SERGEANT MAJOR SIMEON KAMBULA,(EDENDALE), NATAL NATIVE HORSE Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:08 pm | |
| This non-commissioned officer has also set an excellent example to the men of the Troop, of courage and ready obedience under fire. At the White Umvolozi River on the occasion of Lieut Colonel Buller's reconnaissance towards "Ondine", the day before the Battle of Nodwengo, Simeon Kambula saved the life of an officer of the Frontier Light Horse, by bringing him out of a very heavy fire behind him on his horse. He was present at "Sandhlwana", "Hlobane", "Kambula" and "Nodwengo", besides many smaller actions, and has taken part in every patrol of the mounted Troops of the Flying Column, since 14 March 1879.' The following day, 4 July, the Edendale Contingent was in action again, as Chelmsford moved his famous square past the Nodwengu kraal to the open ground in front of Ulundi. Sensing an easy victory, a repeat of Isandlwana, the Zulu impis hurled themselves at the exposed square. But they had not reckoned with the devastating effect of disciplined and controlled volley fire by the well-drilled British infantry. None reached closer than thirty paces. The attack began to falter. Then Chelmsford launched the 17th Lancers, as hesitation changed to retreat and soon to rout. 'In this pursuit' states the official report, 'the efficacy of the lance as a cavalry weapon was abundantly proved.' Buller's mounted men with the Natal Native Horse to the fore mopped up behind the Lancers. The Edendale men were the last to return to camp at the close of that well-fought day. Some 1 500 Zulus died on the battlefield. The Zulu military power was shattered. The Zulu War of 1879 was over. Soon the Edendale Contingent could return home to be welcomed as heroes by their Elders and their people. They were given a banquet in Durban 'for having given good service at the chief action of the campaign'. Simeon Kambula had truly served 'The Great White Queen'. In due course he received the Distinguished Conduct Medal 'from the hands of an English General', wrote the Rev Owen Watkins, 'at a grand parade of the troops. Had he been a white man, he would have received The Victoria Cross'.
References The Zulu War and the Colony of Natal (Natal Provincial Administration). O Watkins, article in The Methodist Reader. Cmdt S Bourquin. Narrative of the Field Operations connected with the Zulu War of 1879,(London, 1881). D R Morris The Washing of the Spears (London, 1966). |
|  | | izabel
Posts : 19 Join date : 2009-08-14
 | Subject: Re: TROOP SERGEANT MAJOR SIMEON KAMBULA,(EDENDALE), NATAL NATIVE HORSE Fri Sep 18, 2009 8:13 am | |
| Simeon's father was Elijah Kambula, faithfull interpreter to Durnford and who died at his side in 1873 at Bushmans Pass |
|  | | old historian2

Posts : 1095 Join date : 2009-01-14 Location : East London
 | Subject: Re: TROOP SERGEANT MAJOR SIMEON KAMBULA,(EDENDALE), NATAL NATIVE HORSE Fri Sep 18, 2009 7:37 pm | |
| Hi izabel. I came across this. History of South Africa from 1795 to 1846
Durnford ordered them to fall back to a better position, but before they could do so, the Hlubis opened fire on them, and three young volunteers, by name Erskine, Bond, and Potterill, — the first named a son of the colonial secretary, — the interpreter Elijah Kambula, and another black man fell dead. |
|  | | izabel
Posts : 19 Join date : 2009-08-14
 | Subject: Re: TROOP SERGEANT MAJOR SIMEON KAMBULA,(EDENDALE), NATAL NATIVE HORSE Sat Sep 19, 2009 6:24 pm | |
| You are correct about the 5 that were killed on that day.
In Capt Barters account he says "Elijah Kambula fell whilst riding beside Major Durnford". |
|  | | | TROOP SERGEANT MAJOR SIMEON KAMBULA,(EDENDALE), NATAL NATIVE HORSE | |
|
Similar topics |  |
|
| Permissions in this forum: | You cannot reply to topics in this forum
| |
| |
| |