Fair use notice.
This website may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner.
We are making such material and images are available in our efforts to advance the understanding of the “Anglo Zulu War of 1879. For educational & recreational purposes.
We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material, as provided for in UK copyright law. The information is purely for educational and research purposes only. No profit is made from any part of this website.
If you hold the copyright on any material on the site, or material refers to you, and you would like it to be removed, please let us know and we will work with you to reach a resolution.
Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 58 Location : UK
Subject: Natal Hussars Thu Feb 05, 2015 11:43 pm
Can't find anything on this unit. Any information appreciated.
1879graves
Posts : 3158 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon
Subject: Re: Natal Hussars Fri Feb 06, 2015 9:20 am
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)
1879graves
Posts : 3158 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon
Subject: Re: Natal Hussars Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:17 am
Last edited by 1879graves on Tue Oct 10, 2017 7:29 pm; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : Photobucket)
littlehand
Posts : 7077 Join date : 2009-04-24 Age : 52 Location : Down South.
Subject: Re: Natal Hussars Sat Feb 07, 2015 5:10 pm
There's quite a few colonial regiments, we no very little about. Good to see posts relating to them being posted.
Rory Reynolds
Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-07-02
Subject: Re: Natal Hussars Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:26 pm
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
Frank Allewell
Posts : 7702 Join date : 2009-09-21 Age : 73 Location : Cape Town South Africa
Subject: Re: Natal Hussars Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:29 pm
Rory, Cam Simpson is your best bet.
Rory Reynolds
Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-07-02
Subject: Re: Natal Hussars Mon Oct 09, 2017 3:32 pm
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
rusteze
Posts : 2872 Join date : 2010-06-02
Subject: Re: Natal Hussars Mon Oct 09, 2017 6:11 pm
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!
Posts : 875 Join date : 2017-05-13 Age : 56 Location : Uttoxeter - the last place God made and he couldn't be bothered to finish it.....
Subject: Re: Natal Hussars Mon Oct 09, 2017 6:45 pm
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.
Subject: Re: Natal Hussars Mon Oct 09, 2017 6:57 pm
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
1879graves
Posts : 3158 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon
Subject: Re: Natal Hussars Tue Oct 10, 2017 8:21 pm
Hi Roy
Could be a couple of leads for you?
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Glasgow Herald 19 November 1898
and
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] Dundee Evening Telegraph 16 June 1902
Rory Reynolds
Posts : 43 Join date : 2017-07-02
Subject: Re: Natal Hussars Tue Oct 10, 2017 9:02 pm
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.