Deployment of band "boys" in battle

Posts : 928 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Following the Isandlwana battle and the news reaching England that the 4 band boys who had been killed there , and the ugly way in which they met their demise ( tied spreadeagled to a wagon wheel and disembowled: or gutted like sheep), it was decided by the WO to no longer to send children ( the youngsters in question were between 13 and 17 years of age) into harms way in this fashion.
Does anyone have the date on which the change, ie forbidding children on the battleground, was promulgated by the WO.

regards

barry

Subject: Re: Deployment of band "boys" in battle Fri Sep 28, 2012 8:09 pm

As far as i'm aware drummer boys were not allowed to enter into battle areas as a direct result of Isandlwana. So I'm assuming it changed in 1879.

Subject: Re: Deployment of band "boys" in battle Fri Sep 28, 2012 8:39 pm

So the fate of the drummer boys was not a myth? There's a discussion thread on here about this somewhere.

Subject: Deployment of Band '' Boy '' in Battle Sat Sep 29, 2012 12:44 am

Hi Barry.
I've read this before but not to sure if the WO number regarding this warrant is mentioned , Ive looked through a few books but cant find it .
Tasker .
Yes , this subject was well covered on here previously .
cheers 90th.