Geo Macfarlane

Geo Macfarlane was present during the trip to bury the dead at Isandlwana on the 21st of May and lied
for Captain Shepstone at the court of enqiry.

Who was he ?



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Lt-Col. George James MacFarlane, C.B., C.M.G, V.D., J.P., who was born on 6 June 1855 in South Africa at Pietermaritzburg in Natal, and died there on 14 September 1933 at his estate of Redlands where he had lived for fifty years. He was educated at Pietermaritzburg High School and became an accountant and later a soldier, stockbroker, and politician. George served in the Natal Carbineers and saw action in both the Zulu War and the South African War during the latter of which he was wounded and for his services therein he was created both a Companion of the Order of the Bath and a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in 1901. He was elected Mayor of Pietermaritzburg and Chairman of the Provincial Council of Natal.

MAC FARLANE George James. 3 Lieutenant Colonel, CB, CMG, VD, JP, Natal Carbineers
Born at Maritzburg, June 6, 1855. He is son of John Macfarlane, late RM of Natal, and was educated at the High School, PMB.
Attested 6/1/1878, Staff Sqn.
Occupation : Accountant, Timber St, Pietermaritzburg.
Served in the Zulu War in 1878-9 as a trooper. Awarded Zulu War Medal and Clasp.
Promoted Sergeant 7/6/1879, Lieutenant 1883 and was also appointed adjutant.
12/6/1886 he obtained promotion to the rank of captain, serving that regiment as adjutant from 1881 to 1889, and later (from 1889) also as major Promoted major 11/3/1891.
Because of his increasing business commitments he retired from active duty in 1895 but on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War in 1899 rejoined the active list.
He was place in command of No 4 Sqn which patrolled the Blauuwbank area. 29/9/1899-9/10/1900, 19/9/1901-16/10/1901. In the war he saw action at Rietfontein (24.10.1899) and Lombardskop (October 1899). He held Lombardskop under some pressure with a squadron of men. Later he was besieged in Ladysmith (2/11/1899-28.2.1900) during which he was wounded, where he assisted on the staff of Sir George White. His Boer war service included Operations in Natal in 1899 including Reitfontein and Lombardskop.
For his war service he was created both a Companion of the Order of the Bath and a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George and the Volunteer Decoration, and was raised to the rank of honorary lieutenant-colonel 30/11/1900. He was Mayor of Maritzburg, 1898-1902; Deputy Mayor for that town, 1903-4; and was made JP in 1902. After the end (1902) of the Anglo-Boer War he was given command of the Natal Carbineers, a post he held until 1906 when he was placed on the reserve
Colonel MacFarlane has taken keen interest in cricket, football and shooting, and possesses a fine collection of SA big game. Was a member of the Victorial Club
Awarded Long Servicwe Medal; March 1903, CMG 1900. QSA and 1 clasp.