3rd NNC Malakata Hills.

Hi all. I would be interested to know anything about the 3rd NNC and their actions while out reconnoitring the land towards Malakata Hills. Information tells me this took place on the 20th Jan possibly part of Major Dartnells force.

I am particularly interested in the two officers’ that presumably deserted Lieutenants Holcroft and Avery.


PS. Forgot to ask. Doe's anyone have any photo's of the Malakata Hills area.

Hi Chard1879. There were two battalions of Native Contingent, under the command of Commandant Lonsdale. Whose orders were erect a communication on the Inhlazatye range, and then return to Isandlwana? During this period numerous sighting of Zulu’s have been seen. Lonsdale received a message from Dartnell regarding a large force of Zulu's and they were forced to bivouac that night.

"It was recorded that the NNC seemed particularly liable to alarm and during the night on two occasions they panic"

An Officer wrote

“ They were seized with panic, rushing about everywhere, the night being very dark. They knocked us down, and stampeded our horses, causing the greatest confusion. If the Zulus had come on we should all have been cut to pieces”

Holcroft and Avery. Will have a look these two up. (New to me)

Found this on the Victorian War Forum.

Ref: Adendorff

Quote :

"Also there is a suggestion that he deserted with Avery and Holcroft during the evening prior to the Battle of Isandlwana. does anyone have any thoughts, I would appreciate input"

So it not just yourself self looking for information on Avery and Holcroft . There was no information given by any other members.

Can it be confirmed that these two officers were in fact in the NNC During the Zulu War. I have been looking for information, but just coming up with the Victorian War forum. (Extract posted by Littlehand)

Hi Chard1879.
The following from ....... Zulu Victory - The Epic Of Isandlwana And The Cover Up by Lock and Quantrill .
This is mid- chapter and deals with Dartnell's sweeping of the Malakatha and Hlazakazi Range in the late
afternoon of 21 / 1 /79 .
' The NMP had kept to the wagon track on the plain below . But neither they nor the Carbineers had gone observed.
They had all been under the scrutiny of scouts of the zulu army since daybreak. Now , hundreds of warriors , accompanied
by Matshana and his followers, were hurrying south from Isipesi , concealed by the Phindo and Magogo Hills , to intercept the
horseman , during the late morning , close to where Mangeni River crossed the Qudeni Track , the opposing forces met.
Dartnell found it difficult to ascertain the zulu strength and deemed it wise not to engage . Trooper Parsons of the NMP , who
had decided it was time to load his revolver , fired one shot , unintentionally . His accidental round caused his horse to shy and
he was thrown off , Dartnell then ordered Parsons - either under arrest or in disgrace - Back to Isandlwana , where he was killed
the next day . The shot was heard by the Carbineers who had off-saddled and had been resting on the Hlazakazi summit . They
quickly made ready and rode off to make contact with the NNC whom they knew to be behind them . Symons found this strange
riding away from the sound of gunfire instead of towards it . He himself wondered what the NMP would think of such a manouvre.
The Carbineers had not gone far when more pistol shots greeted them . It was , however , Mr. Drummond trying to gun down an
Antelope . Dartnell , keeping a valley between the NMP and the zulus , who were steadily increasing in number 800 yds away on
the Magogo Hills , sent messengers off to bring up the Carbineers and the NNC. It was particularly bad news for the NNC- especially
so for the weary and disgruntled white NCO'S who were impatient to return to camp. Now they were being ordered to march in the
opposite direction . It was to much for two young officers , Lt's Avery and Holcroft . They had , had enough and , ' Went off '
without leave , evidently to ride back to Isandlwana but were never seen or heard of again . In fact they arrived safely but were
slain there the following day ' .

Their full names are ....... Samuel Avery , Lt. 1st Coy and Francis Jas Holcroft , Lt. 2nd Coy. 3rd Regt 1st Batt NNC.

According to Harford. Who by the way was there? He had quite a time of retrieving the members of the NNC. On a few occasions he went after them, normally finding them in little groups. No sure if anyone knows, but Harford spent the night among the dead at Isandlwana. And again the NNC who were sitting nearby suddenly disappeared Harford liken it to a landslide. He did not go after them on that occasion.

Source; Harford.

Something else Harford says that I never knew. The Zulu’s did not fight at night; it was not their way. But then I started thinking of Rorkes Drift. Any ideas as to why the Zulu’s attacked at night there. (Chard. I’m not hi-jacking this topic)

This was also the case at Intombe

hi littlehand.
The Zulus attacked at night at R.D for a couple of reasons , firstly they were already there and had been fighting there
since late afternoon and they realised it was only defended by a small force which they would have thought could collapse
at any moment . Also you must remember that they more than likely hadnt had a decent meal for a couple of days so no
point in stopping when they thought they were on the verge of victory . Possibly another reason was Dabulamanzi had
disobeyed Cetswayo's direct order of not to attack fortified positions ,and once he had started he had no choice but to
continue on and on !. Till it was apparent this was one nut that they couldnt crack , by the time they had decided
to call it a night , Hunger , thirst and fatigue would have been a major factor in their withdrawl. Hope this helps. :)
cheers 90th.