"The Wiltshire Regiment 1756-1914"

Posts : 3337 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi All

Has anyone got this book called "The Wiltshire Regiment 1756-1914" by Martin McIntyre?

1879Graves

Subject: Re: "The Wiltshire Regiment 1756-1914" Mon Jan 04, 2010 9:05 pm

Sorry mate. Never heard of it until now. Are you looking for anything in particular, maybe we could help.

Posts : 3337 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi littlehand

Yes I am, there is a group photograph of officers on page 15 (I have been told) and one of the group was an officer in the Zulu War.

I was hoping someone on the forum would have the book and take a peek for me :lol!:

Guest

there are loads for sale on Bookfinder.com

Posts : 3337 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi okko

Many thanks for the Bookfinder link :)

If no one has a copy of the book, I will have to order it from our local library service as the funds pot is empty after Christmas

Posts : 3337 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Thanks to a very good friend of mine and Mac, I have found a copy of the said photograph

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99th Regiment - The Regiment was stationed in Cape Town from 1865 to 1869. During that time it was responsible for providing the garrison on the island of St Helena in the Atlantic. ‘F’ ‘G’, ‘H’ and ‘I’ companies arrived there on 19 May 1867. Here we see the nine officers who went with those companies, Major Ely, Captains Gray, Day and Stewart, Ensigns Kennedy, Cooch, Blaxland, Banfather and Macklin. These officers are wearing 'diced bands' around their caps, authorised only two months earlier to signify their designation as a Lowland Regiment. This photograph appears on page 15 of The Wiltshire Regiment 1756-1914

The man I am looking for is Major Ely. Does anyone know where he is in this group?

Posts : 1862 Join date : 2009-03-25

Quote :: These officers are wearing 'diced bands' around their caps

I would say going by the list of names and working down. Ely would be on the top of the stairs

Posts : 7 Join date : 2009-12-22

1879graves

Hello again, I am the said offender who put this book together and as per our previous discussion these images have come from the old dusty albums within the museum. The image referred to above does contain Major ELY but I'm afraid I'm not sure which one he is. (I should have made it clearer in the caption – lesson learned). On the same page (15) is another group taken in 1865 which contains a young Wellman, but once again we are not sure which one he is. (He commanded the 99th later during the war). A further part that might assist you in your research on our museum website is THE REGIMENTAL TIME LINE once there click into the 99th and relevant dates and you will pick up the time line which contains some interesting domestic stuff. This has been taken from the Regimental digest. Good hunting (I will get back to you later re the other enquiry)

Cheers

MAC

Posts : 1604 Join date : 2009-09-21

Would this the the same Ely being discussed.

Two companies of " Buffs," two companies Native Contingent, and some mounted men, were sent back to reinforce Lieut. -Colonel Ely, 99th regiment, who, with three companies of his regiment, was on the march to Etshowe with a convoy of sixty waggons.

On the 25th, Major Coates was sent down to the Tugela with a strong escort and forty-eight empty waggons, for a further supply of stores ; and next day a " runner " arrived with news that a disaster had occurred on the 22nd. On the 28th a telegram was received from Lord Chelmsford, hinting at disaster -that he had been compelled to retire to the frontier that former instructions were cancelled, and Colonel Pearson was to hold Etshowe or withdraw to the Tugela, also that he must be prepared to bear the brunt of an attack from the whole Zulu army.

Colonel Pearson at once assembled his staff and commanding officers, when it was finally decided to hold the post, sending back to the Tugela the mounted troops and Native Contingent. These marched, unencumbered with baggage, and reached the Tugela in ten hours a contrast with the upward march ! The various buildings were loopholed, and the church prepared for use as a hospital, all tents struck, and the entrenchments supplemented by an inner line of waggons. In the evening Colonel Ely's convoy arrived safely.

The mounted men were sent back from Etshowe, because a large proportion of the horse forage consisted of mealies, which it was thought might be required for the use of the garrison, as eventually was the case.

To replace the mounted men, a small vedette corps was formed under Lieutenant Kowden, 99th Kegiment, and Captain Sherrington, of the Native Contingent, and did excellent service. These vedettes were constantly under fire. One was killed at his post. Another was attacked by some dozen Zulus, who crept upon him through the long grass ; he lost two fingers of his right hand, had a bullet through each leg and one in his right arm; his horse was assegaied ; yet he managed to get back to the fort,
retaining his rifle.

The vedettes being much annoyed in the early morning by the fire of some Zulus from a high hill, Captain Sherrington and six of the men went out one night and lay in wait for them, behind some rocks near the top of the hill, wounding three and putting an end to the annoyance.

Colonel Pearson felt it to be necessary to reduce the bread and grocery rations of the troops, but was enabled to increase the meat ration by a quarter of a pound, as a large number of cattle had been brought up with Colonel Ely's convoy. The waggons of the troops sent back to the Tugela were officially searched, and a quantity of food, medicines, and medical comforts thus added to the stock, the two latter subsequently proving of the utmost value. All articles of luxury were eventually sold by auction, and fetched almost fabulous prices : matches were sold for 4s. a box, bottles of pickles 15s. each, and tobacco 30s. a pound !

Source: "History of the Zulu war and its origin;"

Dave

Posts : 3337 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Dave

Yes you are correct, it is the same Ely. Idea

Posts : 1604 Join date : 2009-09-21

Was it any help, to you.

Posts : 3337 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi Dave

As you may know, I am a collector of any piece of information, so yes it was very helpful and made me think of the following I came across in the Wardrobe from Mac.

Dave wrote:: To replace the mounted men, a small vedette corps was formed under Lieutenant Kowden, 99th Kegiment, and Captain Sherrington, of the Native Contingent, and did excellent service. These vedettes were constantly under fire. One was killed at his post. Another was attacked by some dozen Zulus, who crept upon him through the long grass ; he lost two fingers of his right hand, had a bullet through each leg and one in his right arm; his horse was assegaied ; yet he managed to get back to the fort,
retaining his rifle.

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99th Regiment - A sepia photograph of Sergeant Carson, pictured here later in life while working as a hotel porter in Belfast. After being attacked by the Zulus whilst on Veddette duties at the Mission Station at Eshowe, Natal in South Africa, he was immediately promoted to L/Corporal, eventually retiring as a Sergeant. The Regimental magazine, The Nines, later told his story. 'One of the Vedettes, Pte Carson attached to the Mounted Infantry, went out to patrol. Some eleven Zulus sprang out of the long grass and seized the horse by the mane; he at once stuck his spurs in and got clear of them. They then fired at him, one bullet taking off two fingers of one of his hands, a second struck him on the left thigh, passed through it, then through the pommel of the saddle and into the other leg, a third went through his right arm, a fourth struck his rifle which was slung over his back. His horse was also assegaied on the flank'. He accounted for the Zulus' bad shooting by them holding out their rifles at full arms length. The injuries received by Private Carson are clear to see in this photograph which shows the hand with the missing fingers.

Posts : 6 Join date : 2018-08-14

1879graves wrote:: Thanks to a very good friend of mine and Mac, I have found a copy of the said photograph

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]
99th Regiment - The Regiment was stationed in Cape Town from 1865 to 1869. During that time it was responsible for providing the garrison on the island of St Helena in the Atlantic. ‘F’ ‘G’, ‘H’ and ‘I’ companies arrived there on 19 May 1867. Here we see the nine officers who went with those companies, Major Ely, Captains Gray, Day and Stewart, Ensigns Kennedy, Cooch, Blaxland, Banfather and Macklin. These officers are wearing 'diced bands' around their caps, authorised only two months earlier to signify their designation as a Lowland Regiment. This photograph appears on page 15 of The Wiltshire Regiment 1756-1914

The man I am looking for is Major Ely. Does anyone know where he is in this group?

SBYRW : 26338

99th Regiment - The Regiment was stationed in Cape Town from 1865 to 1869. During that time it was responsible for providing the garrison on the island of St Helena in the Atlantic. ?F? ?G?, ?H? and ?I? companies arrived there on 19 May 1867. Here we see the nine officers who went with those companies, Major Ely, Captains Gray, Day and Stewart, Ensigns Kennedy, Cooch, Blaxland, Banfather and Macklin. These officers are wearing 'diced bands' around their caps, authorised only two months earlier to signify their designation as a Lowland Regiment. This photograph appears on page 15 of The Wiltshire Regiment 1756-1914

Person(s): Ely,, Major; Gray,, Captain; Day,, Captain; Stewart,, Captain; Kennedt,, Ensign; Cooch,, Ensign; Blaxland,, Ensign; Banfather,, Ensign; Mackin,, Ensign;

Posts : 3337 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi lorryloads

Welcome to the forum.

Many thanks for the Person(s) list, that is a great help.

Salute

Posts : 6 Join date : 2018-08-14

1879graves wrote:: Hi lorryloads

Welcome to the forum.

Many thanks for the Person(s) list, that is a great help.

Thank you

Posts : 1 Join date : 2011-06-08

To Mac and Lorryloads.
Many moons ago I purchased Colonel Henry Frederick Winchelsea Ely's medals.
I have tried to post a picture of same but my computer skills are lacking. Perhaps you could send an email address so I may send ?
Regards from a Land down under, Kaveman.

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