Zulu Dawn:“Excuse me, my Lord, there's something I must convey to you. I rode along the track down to Rorke's Drift. The sky above is red with fire. Your orders my Lord? Do we move to the drift?”
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Subject: Captain Bethall. Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:14 pm
As anyone got any information on a Captain Bethall. Read below.
Marter was sent by Lord Chelmsford to make the reconnaissance into Zululand, in order to determine the line of advance of 2nd Division, with two squadrons- a ride of about fifty miles. On the way back, while Marter was occupied with the rearguard, Captain Bethall, KDG, took it upon himself to trot off with the main body back to camp. This left three officers and nineteen men on there own in enemy territory with broken country and fading light. Marter with another officer and six men managed to reach camp some two hours after dark, but the remainder were stranded without food or cloaks for the night. The remaining two officers and all the men, bar three, came in at midday the following day. Two of the missing men whose horses had died, were brought in later that day, whilst the final man was not found until the third day.
Was he court marshalled for leaving the men in enemy territory? Source: 1st King's Dragoon Guards
1879graves
Posts : 3192 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon
Subject: Re: Captain Bethall. Sun Sep 12, 2010 8:39 pm
Hi 24th
A little information on him for you
Captain, J. M. Benthall, 1st Dragoon Guards. Captain John Matthew Benthall was born at Upton, Torquay on 6 August 1840, the family home was “Furzewell House” in March 1857 he became an Articled Clerk to John Gridley, an Exeter solicitor, but he did not take to this profession and asked his guardian, the Rev. John Benthall of Newport Pagnell to help him obtain a commission in the army. Eventually he passed the examination and, obtained by purchase, a commission as an Ensign in the Military Train as from 20 December 1859. After his marriage to Maria Samuda he exchanged into the Dragoon Guards. The regiment arrived in Natal on 10 April 1879 he served as Captain of “C” Troop, on 26 May he was put under arrest for sleeping in an ambulance after getting wet through, he was released with a ”Devil of a WiggIng” .Retiring on half-pay 1 February 1882 he became Lt-Col. 31 December 1882 and died on 2 June 1888.
littlehand
Posts : 7077 Join date : 2009-04-24 Age : 53 Location : Down South.
Subject: Re: Captain Bethall. Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:02 pm
Doe's he count as Devon connection member.
Captain, Benthall, J.M. Served at Conference Hill during the war, until emplyed at sick horse depot at Landsman's Drift.
1879graves
Posts : 3192 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon
Subject: Re: Captain Bethall. Sun Sep 12, 2010 9:17 pm
Hi Littlehand
Yes he does
90th
Posts : 10357 Join date : 2009-04-07 Age : 65 Location : Melbourne, Australia
Subject: Capt Benthall. Mon Sep 13, 2010 12:50 am
hi all . I thought this chaps name was familiar so I checked my sales book of zulu war medals . Jim Bullock militaria had the Bethnall Medal for sale on the 10 / 8 / 08 for 1,250 pds , condition described as ' Very Fine ' . It was sold on or before 31 / 12 / 09. I think 1879graves may have a photo of it ?. cheers 90th .
1879graves
Posts : 3192 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon
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