24th Regiment Pioneers

What info do we have on the Pioneer sections of the 1st and 2nd Battalion, 24th? Snook delves into the issue a bit, saying the 1st Battalion had a section of ten that were left behind in camp under the oversight of the QM, including Cpl. Henry "Harry" Richardson. He also believes that the 2nd Battalion Pioneer section was left behind as well, but that he has no evidence to support it.

I've only been able to find this on the 2nd Battalion Pioneers: Sergeant Ross of G Coy, 2/24th states that Sergeant W. Reeves was a Pioneer Sergeant with G Coy 2/24th Regiment, and was killed in action. He adds that a Private named either Jones or Etherege (not clear from the phrasing) was a G Company pioneer who survived.

I've been able to find an excellent photograph of Richardson and the 1st Battalion Pioneers, included in Philip Gon's Road to Isandlwana as part of Bandmaster Burck's photo collection.

I haven't found anything to substantiate that the 1st BN Pioneer section was present or were out with the GOC. Very keen to hear any more; Even Julian's England's Sons doesn't specify any Pioneers beyond Richardson, which leads me to believe that no records exist.

That is a wonderful photo.

Richardson is fascinating. I'm so curious as to how he returned to his regiment after deserting, and was reinstated to Cpl. within a month! Talk about 'there's more to the story than meets the eye.'

2-24/1078 Sgt William Joseph George Reeves used an alias Charles George up to October 1874 appointed Pioneer Sgt from Pte 20/06/1873 vice Steele.
Appeared in the list of S/Sgts until June 1874 when there is a pencilled note about a certificate of qualification. Subsequently appeared in Sgt's list at lower rate of pay. Attended course at Chatham 6 Company Royal Engineers 07/06-31/09/1875 and back to higher pay as Pioneer Sgt 11/10/1875-20/04/1878 KIA 22/01/1879 as Sgt.

Replaced by 2-24/2219 Sgt John Morgan 20/04/1878 attended School of Engineering Chatham 01/08-05/12/1876 as a L/Cpl. With Regt in 1881, out with Chelmsford.

So the 2/24th Pioneer Sgt was out with the column, perhaps the rest were with him, after all, did they not need to repair the road through the dongas for the guns? Although the NNC Pioneer Company was with the column perhaps they needed more expert manpower.

Excellent, I do believe the 2nd Battalion Pioneers were certainly out with the Column. However, Richardson's presence at Isandlwana does point to the 1st Battalion remaining behind. Lieut. Anstey was sent to repair the road and Coghill, too, commented on breaking down a stone cattle kraal to help repair the road- so there was certainly work to do near the camp!