Captain William Degacher - Whereabouts and Responsibilities?

Posts : 7 Join date : 2015-07-09

Can anyone shed any light on Captain William Degacher who fought and died at the battle of Isandlwana?

I have read elsewhere that as a field officer Captain (Acting Major) Degacher would have effectively been 3rd in command and next in seniority after Pulleine.

Mike Snook in 'HCMDB' places him with A Company throughout the battle however is this just an assertion? Or would he have had other responsibilities than reverting to company command?

Is it correct that there is no actual mention of him at all in any of the sources and accounts of the battle? If it is correct there is no mention of him at all then doesnt it seem odd? Or is it a testament to the fragmentary nature of the sources and accounts that so much remains unknown?

Are other officers of 24th similarly not mentioned at all in any of the accounts of the day?

Hi Joz
Information from the front line is very sparse, There is one mention of Pope another of Pat Daly and really very little else. There is no cast iron testimony on the line up of the troops so Snooks positioning is pretty much what he THINKS rather than KNOWS. Its highly possible that Degacher as battalion 2 I/c handed company command to Porteous and assisted Pulleine, but we don't know.
Again there is virtually no mention of Pulleine, frustrating isn't it?
Good idea to keep banging your head against a brick wall instead, at least that's pleasant when you stop. Wink

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 62 Location : UK

Here's some infoe on him.

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For those new members, one or two videos on iSandlwana

» Captain William Degacher
» Captain William Barton.
» Captain William Pickering DSO