Capt. Geo. Shepstone

Subject: Capt. Geo. Shepstone Sun Aug 11, 2024 4:33 pm

Here's a quizzy question for you all.
Captain George Shepstone was Political Assistant on the Staff of Durnford's Column No. 2 but...
in which Regiment or Corps did he hold his commission?
The Natal Native Contingent? The Natal Carbineers? Or something else?

Subject: Re: Capt. Geo. Shepstone Tue Aug 13, 2024 12:17 am

Hi Julian

I believe he was commissioned into the Natal Native Horse.

Subject: Re: Capt. Geo. Shepstone Tue Aug 13, 2024 8:55 am

Order no. 203, has him commissioned as a Captain with the approval of Frere. No mention of any unit or corps.

Order No. 216 has him appointed as a Political Assistant to Durnford. Effectively making him a Staff Officer in No. 2 Column.

The War Office Army List for February 1879 gives the Natal Carbineers up until September 1878. George Shepstone’s name does not appear there, nor does his name appear in any other Natal Volunteer Corps.

JY

Subject: Re: Capt. Geo. Shepstone Tue Aug 13, 2024 9:17 am

Correct John.

It might be argued that he was, as Political Assistant on the Staff of No. 2 Column, de facto a captain in the 1st NNC (with no battalion affiliation) but nowhere is his actual corps recorded.

However, a letter dated 7th July 1879 from Maj-Gen. Edward Newdigate, General Officer Commanding II Division, published in the Standard 25th August 1879, is interesting in this respect:
“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."
This letter seems to suggest that Shepstone commanded the other NNH squadron, as a counterpart to Barton, in addition to his staff duties.

My question must remain unresolved for the moment.

Posts : 28 Join date : 2020-06-09

Gentlemen,

The KZN archives in Pietermaritzburg show a photograph of George Shepstone
with the annotation that included the words

" Five years later, as Durnford's staff officer, he held the rank of Lieutenant in
the Natal Native Horse."

Peter Q.

Subject: Re: Capt. Geo. Shepstone Tue Aug 13, 2024 11:35 am

Peter
An interesting annotation which asks more questions than it answers.
First who wrote it?
Secondly, when was the annotation appended to the photo?
Thirdly, what is the source of the annotation's content?
Fourthly, we know he was commissioned as a Captain not a lieutenant so that doesn't inspire confidence in the veracity of the annotation's content.
P.S. Good to hear from you again!

Posts : 28 Join date : 2020-06-09

Many thanks Julian,

I have only quoted verbatim from the annotation attached to the photo.
How ever another (identical) photo is published in the local Durban history museum
with the words:

This annotation states:

" Captain George Shepstone of the NNH, Colonel Durnford's Staff Officer."

NNH looks probable?

Peter

Subject: Re: Capt. Geo. Shepstone Tue Aug 13, 2024 12:58 pm

Peter
That is also interesting, likely even, it would be very handy to assign George Shepstone to the role of 'squadron leader' of the non-Sikali troops of the NNH, but again I would ask the first three of my questions:
Who wrote the annotation?
When was it appended to the photo?
What is the source of the annotation's content?
Anything less than contemporary is not proof.
I've not seen either of the two annotations you mention, so I can have no opinion on their age. Much can be gauged by the handwriting. Is it Victorian? You have seen both, I presume, what do you reckon?

Posts : 28 Join date : 2020-06-09

Julian,

The annotation: No name given, but only as I indicated. No handwriting, just print and nothing appended.
The photo was one of three on the same page, namely Raw, Russel and Shepstone. The annotation however, clearly pointed out that the photo was that of Shepstone. The source was only " Local History Museum." Nothing appended to the photo.
We show3ed the photo on page 116 Zulu Victory!

Peter

Subject: Re: Capt. Geo. Shepstone Tue Aug 13, 2024 3:10 pm

John and Peter
Do you think there might have been an Order pre-dating no. 203 which appointed Shepstone as a lieutenant NNH? I haven't found one but if so, 203 would then have effectively promoted him and 216 given him an additional appointment.
When Shepstone did take command at Isandhlwana it was, albeit jointly with Barton, of NNH which certainly might indicate responsibilities in that direction.

Subject: Re: Capt. Geo. Shepstone Tue Aug 13, 2024 3:53 pm

John
Do you happen to have the dates on Orders 203 and 216 handy?

Subject: Re: Capt. Geo. Shepstone Tue Aug 13, 2024 4:40 pm

Julian,

No. 203 dated 21st November 1878.

No. 216 dated 6th December 1878.

JY

Subject: Re: Capt. Geo. Shepstone Tue Aug 13, 2024 5:14 pm

Thanks.
So, it's just possible he could have been commissioned as a lieut. first and Peter's annotation might be correct.

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