Lieut.Col Huskisson, J.W. 56th Foot.

Lieut.Col Huskisson, J.W. 56th Foot. Was appointed, at the commencement of the war, Commandant of Durban and A.Q.M.G. at the base, and Colonial Co mmandant of Durban and of the adjoining districts of Pinetown and Isipingo. Superintended the d isembarkation of the greater po rtion of the troo ps sent to Natal, and made
arrangements for encamping and equipping them previous to their advance. It was owing to his conduct during that interval of excitement among the inhabitants which followed the disaster at Isandlwana that the commerce of the only seaport of the colony was not seriously obstructed. Pending the arrival of help, the volunteers of Durban were embodies under Major Huskisson’s orders, and it was at his suggestion that a small corps of Indian immigrants was raised for the purpose of assisting in the heavy garrison and fatigue duties which had to be performed at the base of operations. Major Huskisson remained at his post until after the termination of the Zulu war. (Mentioned in the despatches of Lord Chelmsford and Admiral Sir F. Sullivan.)

Extracts from Mackinnon & Shadbolt's South Africa Campaign of 1879

Did this happen, if it did. Were the Indian immigrants given Campaign medals?

Quote :

Indian immigrants was raised for the purpose of assisting in the heavy garrison and fatigue duties

Hi Dave
The Indian laborours were off the sugar plantations, at that stage they were not even regarded as permanent residents so had no real official status.
The Corps raised was little more than a labor battalion and saw no active service.

Regards

See: Pictorial catalogue of AZW graves for grave details

Graves in back in the House. :lol!:

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J. W. Huskisson, photographed post-1865.
John Young Collection.

John Y.

"Colonel J. W. Huskisson served in the Indian Mutiny campaign with the Bombay Field Force operating in North Canara and Goa against the Dessai rebels from February to June 1858 (Medal). Proceeded on special service to South Africa in November 1878, and served throughout the Zulu war of 1879 as Commandant and Assistant Quarter Master General at the base of operations, Durban (Brevet of Lt. Colonel, Medal)"

For those curious about Huskisson during the AZW , there's a smallish detailed write up of Huskisson's servive during the AZW , which is on page 311 of Mack and Shad , also his service in much greater depth in ' Kingdom And Colony At War ' by Laband and Thompson .
90th