The Buffs part in the Zulu War.

Is there a list f names of those who served with Buffs during the Zulu War.

Also were the Buffs involved from the start of the Zulu War,or were they called upon to take part in the second invasion.

Sergeant Milne, was the only defender at R.D serving in the Buffs 3rd Regiment of foot.

John are you looking for anyone in particular.

24th it wasn't John who asked the question.

I was just asked if I could get a list of names of the solderers who served in the in Buffs.

How did "Milne" come to be at RD. If he was in the Buffs.

The 2nd Battalion, 3rd (East Kent) Regiment - 'The Buffs' were part of the original invasion forming part of No. 1 Column under the command of Colonel Pearson, himself a former 'Buff'.

The Medal Roll would reveal the names of members of the 2nd/3rd.

The main actions of the unit were Nyezane, both the Siege & Relief of Eshowe and Gingindlovu.

They formed part of Major-General Henry Crealock's 1st Brigade during the 2nd Invasion.

As '24th' states Sergeant Millne was at Rorke's Drift, but there was also members of the 'Buffs' present at Isandlwana as part of the 1st Squadron, Mounted Infantry, as well as subsequent engagements of that squadron - Hlobane, Khambula & Ulundi.

kwaJimu1879

Impi

You asked what Milne was doing at Rorke’s Drift ?

It’s basically a question of engineering tasks and the number of Royal Engineers (REs)involved in the invasion of Zululand. The main tasks of the Sappers (REs) were to get the troops across wide stretches of water and to lay-out (but not necessarily construct) defensive field works. In the January invasion, there was certainly a shortage of Sappers, and those that were available were concentrated with Pearsons column. This column in progressing initially along the coast would have encountered the greater water obstacles, especially the Tugela river. However, it was recognised that further inland there were still water obstacles to be negotiated – notably the Buffalo River at Rorke’s Drift. A prefabricated pont (essentially a raft) was sent to Rorke’s Drift to address this problem. The pont was assembled under the direction of Sgt Milne 2/3rd Foot. Now clearly Milne was not a Sapper, but he had gained a certificate as an instructor in field works at the RE depot in Chatham. In the absence of “true” Sappers, Milne was given the job – certainly something his certificate qualified him to do. A smaller, improvised, raft was also constructed. The Sapper representative with the Central Column was Lt Chard, and he returned to Rorke’s Drift on the 22nd January to ensure the pont and raft were working correctly and also to lay out a defensive earthwork to command the Drift itself. This earthwork was to be constructed by one of the two 24th Regt companies on their way up to join the column from Helpmekaar.

If you want an idea of what a pont looked like – there is a fair representation of one in the film “Zulu Dawn”. It is essentially a raft linked to a hawser stretched across the river and is pulled backwards and forwards by teams of oxen on each bank. It is not to be confused with a pontoon bridge – which is a different beast altogether.

In the course of time, Milne would have rejoined his battalion and the ferry would have been operated by the civilian ferryman – Mr Daniells.

Bill

Hi Impi .
I can tell you there are five full pages and two columns of names of the Buff's in the Medal Roll .
Which tells us that there were 1 ,011 Medals Issued , 19 Medals & Clasps returned to Woolwich Mint.
Leaving 38 With Clasp 78-79 , 892 With 79 Clasp , 81 No - Clasp . Hope this is of some help .
cheers 90th.

Here's someone called Sapper Mason, might answer a few questions.
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