Bettingtons Horse

My latest gaming project is collecting some 28mm figures, for Louis Napoleon's demise - mainly because it can be done on a 1 to 1 scale.

It's also got the 'what if' scenario of the 6 NNMC turning up on time, to go out with the patrol.

I've read that Bettingtons Horse was made up from NCOs from the disbanded NNIC.

AFAIK the NNIC had little in the way of uniform - does anyone know if Bettingtons Horse had any kind of uniform issued.

I've got a number of uniform guides for the AZW but Bettingtons don't get much of a mention.

Thanks a lot.

Simon

Simon,

The six African troopers were members of Shepstone’s Native Horse, the Natal Native Mounted Contingent had been re-designated in February 1879 as the Native Native Horse, and Offy Shepstone was assigned to command a contingent of African horsemen, which would bear his name.

No. 3 Troop, Natal Horse was commanded by Claude Bettington, and for that reason has gained the alternative title of Bettington’s Horse.  There was no designated uniform for any of the Troops of the Natal Horse, there is an engraving of No. 3 Troop in the field and there is no uniformity in their dress.  Wide-awake hats presumably with a scarlet pugaree, one non-commissioned officer wears a braided jacket as in the style of the Frontier Light Horse.  All this is from memory as I still cannot access my material at present.

The “friendly Zulu” was supplied by the Honourable William Drummond, one of Chelmsford’s Intelligence Officers.

Best I can do in the meantime, given the circumstances.

JY

That's fine thanks, I've got FLH figures for the escort troopers.

Thank you

Simon
John wrote that the name change occurred in Feb 1879. It was actually earlier.
According to one or two modern writers (e.g. Snook M., op. cit., p. 39; Castle, Ian, Zulu War – Volunteers, Irregulars & Auxiliaries, [Oxford, 2003], p. 11) this unit was officially called the Natal Native Mounted Contingent and underwent a name change to the Natal Native Horse after Isandhlwana.
It was certainly created under the name Natal Native Mounted Contingent but the last date by which it is so called in any source is 20th December 1878.
The Times of Natal and the Natal Mercury newspapers referred to the Natal Native Horse and used the acronym N.N.H. in the immediate aftermath of Isandhlwana (24th and 25th January 1879 respectively); the surviving N.N.H. officers Barton, Davies and Raw referred to their unit by that name in their reports; more importantly, there is also a Return of Troops in the Field (PAR, CSO 681, 6th January 1879, signed by Durnford himself) showing those at Kranz Kop in which the N.N.H. is referenced.
Henderson, another surviving N.N.H. officer, used the term ‘N. N. Horse’ on a contemporary map of Isandhlwana (at Chatham).
It is illogical that in the wake of such a disaster the military would have been concerned with a name change. It is self-evident that this name-change occurred in the period between 20th December and 6th January and that this unit fought at Isandhlwana as the Natal Native Horse. As proof positive a letter dated 7th July 1879 from Maj-Gen. Edward Newdigate, General Officer Commanding II Division, published in the Standard 25th August 1879 [FB], read:
“I beg to say that the “Basutos” serving under Captain Shepstone formed part of the “Natal Native Horse” raised by the late Colonel Durnford R.E. This force…formed part of No. 2 Column until it was broken up. An officer of that Column, writing on January 26, says :- “Your brother had worked so hard at raising and equipping this native contingent, against much opposition, and took special pride in his mounted men – three hundred men that he called ‘the Natal Native Horse’ ”. ”

Julian,

Which is why my answer included the rider: All this is from memory as I still cannot access my material at present.

JY

Thanks John

That does answer a question or thought I had - many years ago the NNMC were always referred to as NNH - Snook (in his 'unbiased' or rather 24th biased HCMDB) started calling them NNMC, with the general idea that the change to NNH was a later - I picked up that ball and ran with it as did many writers - why I have always referred to them so, on this forum. On a similar vein their foit slogging colleagues used to be the NNI....but now seem to be the NNIC - is this correct.

I shall try to teach my predictive text the difference between NNH and NNMC

Cheers

Simon

Interestingly enough, I have just found an internet image  of an engraving of Bettingtons Horse (at Conference Hill) and the troopers do seem to get wearing 'FLH type' uniforms - a light coloured tunic with frogging/lacing on the front.

Some even seem to be in the old style dark FLH uniform.

john
Of course. I just thought I'd help you out since you were away from yor notes!
SRB
Just plain NNC is how they are recorded.

Thank you, Julian and I do apologise - I thought it was John who put the post on at 10.07.

No apology necessary! Glad to be of help.

I've found a really good (to my eye and uniform knowledge) painting of the patrol.....it shows the Zulu scout in the background, Bettingtons Horse and LN & JC....I'm not sure about posting it here because of copyright.

Simon,

I know the one, lots of detail including the colour of Louis’ boots.

JY

John,

In the painting Carey is shown in a red jacket - would this have been correct or did he wear a patrol jacket?

I have read, many years ago, that Carey lost his luggage in shipwreck and had to borrow a patrol jacket from a fellow officer, that was the 'wrong pattern' for infantry officer but I do not know if that was worn on the day.

Thanks a lot

Simon

Simon,

He certainly lost all of his kit when the Clyde went down, so he obviously had to cadge something from anyone who had something spare. Either that or he could bought some deceased officer’s kit at auction.

Out of interest Carey (the defendant) and W. M. Brander (prosecutor) were mentioned in despatches for their actions in the loss of the Clyde.

JY