Natal Native Infantry flags

Subject: Natal Native Infantry flags Sun Aug 20, 2023 6:57 pm

Hi,

I've read a couple of comments (one in a book by Ian Castle and one co authored by Ian Knight) that claim some units of the Natal Native Contingent (particularly the 3rd Battlion) had small standards (presumably Company ones).

It is stated that the flags had simple emblems (a bull is mentioned) which tie in with the companies 'nickname'

I'm not sure about this, I've never seen any in any contemporary photos (but if they are small pennants - I may have missed them or the battlion was not photographed)

I don't recall GBH (Hamilton-Browne) mentioning them in his memior, nor anyone else for that matter.

Also AFAIK there was no ensigns on the Battalions establishment, so if they existed they may have been carried by natives.

Any ideas?

Thanks

Sime

Subject: Re: Natal Native Infantry flags Mon Aug 21, 2023 12:05 am

Sime,

The panorama of the Battle of Ulundi by Adolphe Yvon, in the collection of the National Army Museum, depicts the Natal Native Contingent with a flag.

Follow the link for the image [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Look at the second image and you will see N.N.C. with what looks like a Confederate battle flag!

JY

Subject: Re: Natal Native Infantry flags Mon Aug 21, 2023 9:04 am

Well I never....thanks a lot John

Subject: Re: Natal Native Infantry flags Mon Aug 21, 2023 1:10 pm

Johnny Reb in zululand Shocked

LOL!

Above the 'Reb' flag is what appears to be a spindly copse of trees (NO not junior Gettysburg), and to the left of that there appears to be a Blue Ensign, then, wait for it, further over to the right, there appears to be a group of men with, would you believe it, a Red Ensign, or could it be yet another 'Johnny Reb' flag Surprised

Subject: Re: Natal Native Infantry flags Mon Aug 21, 2023 3:13 pm

Martin,

Given their position in the square it is conceivable that those are meant to portray regimental Colours.

JY

Subject: Re: Natal Native Infantry flags Mon Aug 21, 2023 4:18 pm

Whodathunkit, Shocked

LOL!. Hi John, I was looking for a White Ensign so that we would have rep's from the Royal Navy, The Merchant Navy, and men commanded by a Royal Navy Reserve officer at the battle, and I thought I had found the RN on the third image, however, on a closer look, it was the Red Cross flag of the Medics, drat it, foiled again. Mad

Subject: Re: Natal Native Infantry flags Mon Aug 21, 2023 6:33 pm

To my aging eye sight, the 'spindly copse flag' seems to have a hint of the Union flag (in canton) so I would think it was a Regimental Colour.

Subject: Re: Natal Native Infantry flags Fri Aug 25, 2023 12:19 pm

I think the flags are described in Lieut. Murray's account, if me memory serves me right. I'll check.

Subject: Re: Natal Native Infantry flags Fri Aug 25, 2023 3:05 pm

No not Murray. It was Harford's account - see p. 15 Child's edition. The flags were either numbered or had the representation of an animal on them.

Subject: Re: Natal Native Infantry flags Sat Sep 16, 2023 8:32 pm

Thank you Julian

» Natal Native Infantry
» Memorial to men of the Natal Carbineers, Natal Mounted Police, Buffalo Border Guard & Natal Native Horse killed in action at Isandlwana
» Account of a native wlio was in the battle, taken from the Natal Mercury