Natal Hussars

Can't find anything on this unit. Any information appreciated.

Hi John

"The unit, then the Natal Hussars, was mobilised on 25th November, 1878, and with other Natal Mounted volunteer corps operated with the column of Colonel Pearson of the Imperial forces along the coastal road in southern Zululand. The force was engaged in the action of Inyenzane on 22nd January, 1879, and proceeded to Eshowe whence, after a few days when the news of the disaster to British arms at Isandhlwana was received, the Natal volunteers were hurried back to Natal where they were joined by the Isipingo Mounted Rifles and were employed till the end of the war guarding the Natal-Zululand border along the Tugela River. During this period the only fighting participated in was a skirmish at Middle Drift with a Zulu force endeavouring to raid into Natal but was there checked and driven back." (Anglo Boer War.com)

There's quite a few colonial regiments, we no very little about. Good to see posts relating to them being posted.

I have a 1879 clasp "Zulu" War medal to a Tr. Vlotman of the Natal Hussars. Quite apart from the dearth of information on the unit I have been very frustrated in not being able to find out much about Vlotman.

Thanks to Brett Hendey who sent me a few pages out of the late Terry Sole's (M.H.S.R.I.P.) at least I have a head start but is there any other info out there on the Hussars and or Vlotman?

Regards

Rory

Rory, Cam Simpson is your best bet.

Thanks Frank - then I've really hit a dead end as I have asked Cam before and he can't find him. I suspect this is a case of the surname being "corrupted" at some point.

Regards

Rory

I don't think the name has been corrupted - Tpr. Vlotman appears on the medal roll for the Natal Hussars and the name goes back a long way to the original Dutch settlers. The earliest individual Vlotman I have found was born in Amsterdam in 1655 and died in Cape Town in 1719. By 1850 the family (families) seem to be in the Free State (Winburg?). There are a few possibles for your Trooper in the attached tree (there may of course be others given the long history of the family) but the medal roll gives no initials so it is difficult to pin him down. But I have no doubt he was a Vlotman!

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Steve

Hi

I think if memory serves from when I painted a unit up for my wargames collection, they wore dark green uniforms (almost black from a distance).

Once again, I think, the official full dress headgear was a hussar type busby but I doubt if this was used in the field and I am not sure if the headgear was just a 'nice idea' which came to little (unless I am mistaking them for another colonial unit)

The Natal Hussars merged a few years after they were raised, with the Greytown Mounted Rifles

They wore a white pith helmet, with silver fittings but the usual collection of forage caps would have been worn, as well.

Cheers

Sime (I think)

Rory
There is a lot about the Natal Hussars in the book 'History of the Umvoti Mounted Rifles' by Mark Coghlan. It was published by the Regiment in 2012 and I got my copy from their HQ in Pinetown. Perhaps one of your ex-minions can pick up a copy for you. There is no Vlotman listed in the index, but other entries might be helpful.
Regards
Brett

Hi Roy

Could be a couple of leads for you?

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Glasgow Herald 19 November 1898

and

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Dundee Evening Telegraph 16 June 1902

Many thanks chaps - I will most certainly have to source the UMR history and follow up the leads for Anthony Vlotman who seems to be the most promising.

Regards

Rory