Commeline, 0. E. (Brev. Col.)

Posts : 1862 Join date : 2009-03-25

Commeline, C. E. (Brev. Col. It. Eng.)—A'. African War, 1879-81.—Zulu Campaign.—Battleof Ulundi. Operations against Selcukuni. Medalwith clasp. Transvaal Campaign.—Defence of Pretoria,attack on the Red House. Mentioned in Despatches.

Subject: Commeline .C.E. ( Brev Col ) Wed Dec 21, 2016 12:46 pm

Commeline's initials should be C.E. ( not O.E. ) There is only one Commeline in the AZW , the following once again from Mac & Shad ... Lt C.E.Commeline Proceeded to the Cape with the 5th Co R.E. and served with it throughout the Campaign . Was present at the Battle Of Ulundi . Subsequently commanded a detachment which accompanied the force sent against Sekukuni , was present at the capture of that Chief's stronghold .
90th

Subject: Re: Commeline, 0. E. (Brev. Col.) Tue Jan 30, 2018 11:09 pm

Initially I thought that the officer in the below photograph taken during the Siege of Pretoria 1881 was from the 2nd/21st, however, it transpires that it is actually Lieutenant Charles Edward Commeline, Royal Engineers. A point verified by an archive held in South Africa.

Commeline is depicted in the photograph in front of the fort which bore his name. The soldier immediately behind Commeline is also a Royal Engineer - note the broad stripe on their trousers - all others appear to be from the 2nd/21st.

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Lt. C. E. Commeline, R.E. & the garrison of Fort Commeline, Pretoria, 1881.
(John Young Collection.)

JY

Posts : 1186 Join date : 2015-11-24

Thank's JY.. what a fantastic image, you must be well pleased identifying him.

Posts : 2872 Join date : 2010-06-02

Nice photo John. 2/21st appear to have badges on their helmets which I have not noticed before - or is it simply that they do not have covers?

Steve Reinstadtler

Posts : 1186 Join date : 2015-11-24

What struck me later was the beardless condition!. re mutilation's
remembered from Isandhlwana?. cracking photo.

Subject: Re: Commeline, 0. E. (Brev. Col.) Wed Jan 31, 2018 6:05 am

Steve,

If you look at photographs of the 2nd/21st over the period 1879-1881 in South Africa, you will notice a number of them actually wore their helmet plates.

Les,

As to lack of beards, I would put that down to another reason - Garnet Wolseley. If you look at photographs of the 2nd/21st in the ZW, you will see an abundance of beards. Once Wolseley assumes command he issues orders about beards and they are gone. Hopefully that had nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that Wolseley endorsed a certain brand of razors.

JY

Subject: Re: Commeline, 0. E. (Brev. Col.) Wed Jan 31, 2018 3:17 pm

Steve,

Here’s another example of the 2nd/21st in South Africa, you will note the three officers with badged helmets.

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Officers of 2nd/21st Royal Scots Fusiliers circa 1880.
(John Young Collection.)

JY

Posts : 2872 Join date : 2010-06-02

Spikes as well!

I notice too that in the Commeline photo they have no rifle slings - presumably because they aren't going anywhere.

This is the modern equivalent officers badge - now HLI.
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Steve Reinstadtler

Subject: Re: Commeline, 0. E. (Brev. Col.) Wed Jan 31, 2018 4:54 pm

Steve,

You’re behind the times that’s the Royal Highland Fusiliers, the amalgamation of the R. S. F. & the Highland Light Infantry.

Since 2006, they are now The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

JY

Posts : 2872 Join date : 2010-06-02

Hah, that's about right. Many years ago a local "Dellboy" character had a regular pitch at Aldershot carboot sale. He seemed to have endless supplies of the current officers regimental badges - who knows from whence they came? The upshot is that many local inhabitants have excellent collections but all from a particular timeframe!

Steve

Subject: Re: Commeline, 0. E. (Brev. Col.) Wed Jan 31, 2018 5:51 pm

Steve,

With regard to your mention of the helmet spike here’s a nice cabinet card by Henri Ferdinand Gros of Pretoria of a Captain in the 2nd/21st circa 1880. Gros, a Swiss, was present during the siege and I suspect was the photographer of the Commeline photograph above.

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Captain, 2nd/21st R.S.F., Circa 1880 (I believe it to be Daniel Auchinleck)
(John Young Collection.)

JY

Posts : 3203 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi JY

Great photographs, thanks for sharing them.

With regards to Daniel Auchinleck, I am of the option that you are correct.

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The Graphic 23 October 1886