Dugald MacPhail. Survivor of the battle of Isandlwana.

Dugald MacPhail. lived to the age of 101 years. He was famous as being one of the last survivors of the battle of Isandlwana in 1879, where he had served in the Buffalo Border Guard as the quartermaster. He served in the Anglo Boer War, the Bambatha Rebellion, the First World War and when he tried to enlist for the Second World War was turned down as he was considered to be too old. He lived in a fine mansion 'Craigside" on the slopes of Mpati Mountain and founded a very successful coal mining business.

Source: Talana Museum

Posts : 747 Join date : 2009-10-18

Quote :: He was famous as being one of the last survivors of the battle of Isandlwana in 1879

Did he ever write an account, being the last to leave, surely he would have been able to give a good account of the last stand or details of the men falling back to the camp.

Subject: Dugald Macphail Tue Nov 23, 2010 5:28 am

Hi MrG.
Not sure he was the last to leave , but he certainly was the last surviving member of Isandlwana to pass away .

According to Julian Whybra in his detailed work , Mcphail left accounts in the Natal Mercury 22nd Jan 1929.
Natal Advertiser 19th Jan 1929 . An anonymous account written by him in the Natal Mercury 30th Jan 1879.
Another anonymous account by him in the Natal Mercury 1st Feb 1879.
cheers 90th.

Posts : 3176 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

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Hartlepool Mail - Thursday 12 June 1941

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Dugald MacPhail Died in Dundee age 101 his grave is in the Smith family precinct. (A small cemetery at the bottom of the Talana Hill. He lived in a fine mansion 'Craigside" on the slopes of Mpati Mountain With his wife Annie Susannah MacPhail.

"Dugald MacPhail was one of the three men That are credited with the founding of Dundee; Peter Smith, Peter's son, William Craighead Smith, son in-law, and close family friend Charles Wilson.They floated the Dundee Coal and Estate Company on the London Stock Exchange in 1899."

I'm assuming one of then in the photo is Dugald MacPhail but there is no indication as to which one. So if anyone knows either way, please let us know. agree

I'm guessing the chap seat on the left?

Source: Findagrave

Posts : 2268 Join date : 2010-10-22 Location : France

Well done Littlehand;
Where is William Craighead Smith, Lt in the Buffalo Border Guard 1879?
Cheers

Mr Greaves
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Couple of points on the statement seem a bit 'of', for instance him sitting down with Chelmsford for a drink. Chelmsford was a non drinker.
But its an interesting statement, adds quite a bit to the history, such as Essex and Gardners actions.

There was some discussion a few days ago , from Steve I think, on weather or not a laager had been attempted, Mcphail is pretty definite that there wasn't. Just another twist to the tale.

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Posts : 2308 Join date : 2010-07-02 Age : 41

Well Done LH

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Posts : 3 Join date : 2017-02-13 Location : Linlithgow

I was at Talana museum a year ago and I'm sure Dugald is the one seated on our left. I've got a photo of a photo from the museum and it's definitely him.

Posts : 1261 Join date : 2010-04-12

Image above I would liked to have been present at that conversation!

Posts : 3 Join date : 2017-02-13 Location : Linlithgow

Here it is, text only just readable, so I'll cut the text and post it too. His wife is also pictured.

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ps if either of these could contravene copyright, please remove, thanks

Posts : 1857 Join date : 2009-03-25

I'll go with the chap sitting down in photos above.
Steve 345uk good post.