Indian Corps

As anyone got any information regarding their involvement in the Zulu War. I can find nothing on them.

Hi OH2.
They were in the zulu war , the following is from Terry Sole's wonderful publication ' For God , Queen & Colony '

A little known unit , not mentioned in the official history of the war or any other book on the war , the only source of info
is the local press . Indian Corps formed in Durban under General order 27 March , which was published in the local press
29th March . Formed with the Natal Govt's approval and Henry Bulwer's blessing , the governor of Natal . The Corps was
established for defence and fatigue duties in Durban. Formed after the awful scare of Isandlwana had lessened considerably
the other volunteer units having been stood down , the defence of Durban fell to the Indian Corps . With the threat of attack
removed with the arrival of reinforcements and equipment arriving by the shipload , the need for a force to guard Durban
had vanished and the Ind Corps were moved to the point to guard the massive pile of equipment and stores that were awaiting
distribution to the troops along the zulu border . Originally a permanent guard of British troops guarded the point , under the
command of Capt Boyle , the detatchment consisted of two NCO'S and 10 men drawn from the General Dept . The Indian Corps
, 2 NCO'S and 20 men were under 3 Colonial officers . The officer commanding Capt . Alexander J.F.Mackintosh . Assisting him
Capt R.P. Beverley - Davis . The 3rd officer was Lt. William Hicks . Without doubt the Ind Corp's day of glory occurred with the arrival of Wolseley at Durban , sent out to replace Chelmesford , his arrival was greeted with all the pomp and ceremony that Durban could muster . The Local press had a field day , a portion of one of many lengthy reports read '' A guard of honour composed of the drafts of different regt's on side of the wharf , and the Indian Guard on the other , the latter looking exceedingly smart , were posted right along the platformm ''. It is obvious that the strength of the Indian Corps increased enormously from the original 22 . The Corps does not appear on the medal roll . No muster or long roll has been found for the Corps , they were obviously treated like most of the Native Regt's and not awarded the South African General Service Medal . The three officers were treated differently and applied for their medals from Regt's they had served with prior to joining the Indian Corps .
cheers 90th.

ps. if you want the officer's details let me know and I'll post them .

Forgot to add ......... It is not known when the Indian Corps was disbanded .
cheers 90th.

If my memory serves me well, there is a cracking photo of the Indian Corps in the Talana Museum.

kwaJimu1879

Maybe Ken Gillings,could help out with getting a copybof this photo.

I'm sure the photo mentioned as been already posted. When I have more time I will have a look.

Hi Littlehand.
I dont remember ever seeing it but I may be wrong .
cheers 90th.

Hi All,
Referenced in the Local General Orders No- 68, paragraph 1, 29th March 1879:-
"The following will be the establishment, two Captains and two Lieutenants"
Paragraph 2:-
"The following officers of the the late 3rd Regiment Natal Natal Contingent are transferred to the Corps of Indians:- Captains: Mackintosh and Davis; Lieutenants Hillier and Manning.
It is known via Newspaper reports that Lieutenant Hicks was hospitalised at this time of the formation of the Corps and therefore replaced by Hillier?
Manning is however another matter, who should have not been in the NNC to begin with having already been enlisted in another Corps.

Regards

Phill

Nice one Phil.