Major William Henry Hingeston.

Hi littlehand.
Where was he killed ? .
cheers 90th.

Hi 90th

On Friday January 28th 1881, at Laing’s Nek Major Hingeston asked Colonel Deane if he would dismount and walk up the hill with the men. The Colonel said, ‘No’ so Hingeston didn’t like to dismount, and he and Monk went up on their horses. Colonel Deane took command out of the regimental officer’s hands, and the men were hustled up without being extended, and were so blown when they got two-thirds of the way up they could hardly move. The Boers never opened fire on the 58th till about 200 yards from the top. All the staff were killed except Essex, who, curiously enough was one of the few people who escaped from Isandhlwana. Major Hingeston, Dolphin, and Baillie of the 58th were all killed. Baillie was carrying the regimental colours. This was the last time in which colours were ever carried into action.
He died on 29th January 1881 of wounds he received at Laing’s Nek 28th January 1881and was buried in Laing’s Nek Military Cemetery, Battlefield, District Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.

Hi Graves.
Thanks for the quick and informative reply .
cheers 90th. .

Appoligies 90th Just seen this. Graves is correct..

"Colonel Deane resorted to the bayonet. But, just as the order was being obeyed his horse was shot under him. Rising again on the instant and crying "I am all right," to encourage his men, he rushed on, heading on his regiment, and again fell, this time mortally wounded. Major Hingeston, who then took command, fell also, and his brother officers, Major Poole and Lieutenant Dolphin, shared the same fate. They were at that time within some thirty yards of the enemy. So great was our loss that the charge could not be sustained, and many officers, who still persisted in emptying their revolvers on the enemy were severely wounded. At last there was nothing for it but to fall back."


afternoon the body of the General was placed on a gun-carriage,



A NARRATIVE OF THE BOER WAR.

Afternoon the body of the General was placed on a gun-carriage, the coffin covered by the Union Jack, and again the strains of the ' Dead March ' and the mournful sounds of muffled drums were heard, as the procession of soldiers, headed by the Rev. Mr. Ritchie, followed their leader to the grave. The bearers inside the cemetery were Colonels Bond, Parker, and Ashburnham, Majors Essex and Fraser, Captains Vibart and Smith, and Major Elmes. The body was placed in a grave, one on the extreme
right, in a line where lay Colonel Deane, Major Hingeston, Lieutenants Inman, Baillie, and Dolphin. Close by the General's grave lay Captain MacGregor (late assistant military secretary), Lieutenants O'Connell, Garrett, and Wilkinson, and Captain Greer. Drs. Cornish and Landon, and Lieutenant Trower, R.N. the three last mentioned killed at the Majuba Mountain were interred at the same time as the body of His Excellency Sir George Pomeroy Colley, Administrator of Natal and the Transvaal, and
Commander-in-Chief of Her Majesty's Forces in the Transvaal and Cisvaal.

The following lines, from the pen of Mr. Edgar Jennings Taylor, of Pietermaritzburg, written a day or two after the fight, I am privileged to reproduce, and they may well close the narrative at this point :

GEORGE POMEROY COLLEY, GOVERNOR OF NATAL,

KILLED IN ACTION, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1881.

' Yes, he fought well ' ; so spake the little knot Of foemen gathered round the outstretched form, Which on the blood-stained turf lay motionless, Where the last stand was made, and where, at length, The few survivors of his gallant band Cast down their useless weapons in despair. 'Twas here God's angel, with a hand of ice, Touched him, and said, 'Thy Master calleth thee.' But six short months agone we welcomed him, Trusting for all was calm before the storm His stay amongst us might be fraught with good
For us, and happy for himself and her, With whom, alas ! we mourn.

Maj William Henry Hingeston was the cousin of my great great grandfather. Last week I visited the gravestone of his mother in Lyme Regis, where there is also a plaque to the Major in the local church.

Does anyone have a photo of him or of his gravestone?

Thanks.

Hi AlanLawrie

Welcome to the forum.

As requested a photograph of him and the memorial.

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I do not have a photograph of his grave.

Thank you 1879 graves.

Yes the plaque you show is indeed the one in the church in Lyme Regis. May I ask where the photo of the Major came from?

Thanks.

Hi AlanLawrie

The Photograph of the Major comes from John Young, who is a collector of photographs, author of a book and articles on the Zulu War and a Zulu War historian. The photograph is part of his collection.

1879Graves

1881 Major Hingeston War Army Colonel Anstruther
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Outstanding work!!

Many thanks to 1879 graves and littlehand!

Alan.

Quote :

Outstanding work!!

Second that. A interesting...

Hi all.
Well done guys , great effort.
cheers 90th.