British Officers praise Natal Carbineers

Posts : 3287 Join date : 2021-01-04

Natal Witness 8th February 1879
Well they could have been some of the five. Bearing in mind Alan's involvement with the mounted forces at iSandlwana perhaps he was one of them praising the NC's actions [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Subject: Re: British Officers praise Natal Carbineers Sat Feb 11, 2023 3:47 pm

There's really no knowing who it might have been making this observation. 'Cheerful and willing' indicates the officer concerned was acquainted with the carbineers in situations other than on the battlefield. However, if it were one of the five, I would think it could well have been Gardner. Pulleine did ask him to position the mounted men at some point and actually direct them to the part of the field required. He must have noted their behaviour and discipline (under fire) and perhaps even stayed with them for a time.
Essex was too busy with the ammo supply and taking messages for Pulleine.
Smith-Dorrien was still a very young officer and was not in the right part of the field to observe them.
Curling was busy with the guns
Cochrane is the only other candidate - he might have had a chance to observe the carbineers in the donga but otherwise not.

Posts : 3287 Join date : 2021-01-04

I think as well as a cavalryman and someone who trained yeomanry back in England he would have paid particular attention to their training and performance whilst on campaign and during the action.

Really he should have been attached to the mounted forces from the start rather than transport logistics.
A complete waste of his skills and experience in my opinion.
Kate

Subject: Re: British Officers praise Natal Carbineers Sat Feb 11, 2023 10:32 pm

In my limited, minimal military experience from long ago, a good officer is a good officer in whatever situation he finds himself. If he finds himself in a mundane backwater of a job, he transforms it. That's probably why he was sent there (i.e. to transform it). As it was, Gardner's particular military role on this occasion - with no body of men for whom he was responsible - probably saved his life.

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