Colonel Redvers Henry Buller, V.C., C.B., C.M.G., Aide de Camp to the Queen
cover 1879 (20 Apr.) XU5, with contents, endorsed "On Active Service. No stamps in camp", signed at lower left "Redvers Buller/Lt.Col. F.L. Horse", addressed to The Viscount Gort at London, bearing Natal 6d. tied by numeral "2" cancellation; cover backstamped "G.P.O./23 4/1879/NATAL" and "LONDON S.W./RT/MY 31 79"; letter, headed "No. IV Column, Camp Kambula, Zululand", relates to the death of one of Lord Gort's sons at Isandhlawana. Photo.
Details
cover 1879 (20 Apr.) XU5, with contents, endorsed "On Active Service. No stamps in camp", signed at lower left "Redvers Buller/Lt.Col. F.L. Horse", addressed to The Viscount Gort at London, bearing Natal 6d. tied by numeral "2" cancellation; cover backstamped "G.P.O./23 4/1879/NATAL" and "LONDON S.W./RT/MY 31 79"; letter, headed "No. IV Column, Camp Kambula, Zululand", relates to the death of one of Lord Gort's sons at Isandhlawana. Photo.
Further details
Extract:
I am sorry to say that it is quite true that your son Standish Vereker was killed at Isandlwana - I only received your letter of 13th ult. today but I fear I can give you no further information by delaying a reply. Five gentlemen joined me at B..... Fort as volunteers and I was lucky enough to get commissions for all of them in December. Of them one only M. Smith stayed with me and the other 4 went to contingents. Gibson and Vereker to one, both alas to be killed, Shepherd and Hughes to another. I do not know where Shepherd and Hughes now are but Smith who is here tells me that he went up from Durban with your son to Pretoria that they only took 40lbs of baggage with them and that they left a few things in Pretoria when they came on to this fort.
Note:
Buller commanded the mounted troops of Wood's column throughout the whole of their numerous operations, including Zunguin Nek, Hlobane, Kambula and Ulundi. His Frontier Light Horse had seen action in the ninth Kaffir War. He won the V.C. for his work at Hlobane on 28th March 1879. He was an officer of the 60th Rifles.
Standish William Prendergast Vereker was the third son of Lord Gort. He had seen action against Sekukuni in the Transvaal and at the storming of Sihayo's stronghold in the Bashee Valley. His body was found on the field of battle some four months later by Captain Viscount Downe.
M. Smith, mentioned in Buller's letter, was Lieutenant Metcalfe Smith whose life was saved by Major Leet at Hlobane. See lots 524 and 525.
I am sorry to say that it is quite true that your son Standish Vereker was killed at Isandlwana - I only received your letter of 13th ult. today but I fear I can give you no further information by delaying a reply. Five gentlemen joined me at B..... Fort as volunteers and I was lucky enough to get commissions for all of them in December. Of them one only M. Smith stayed with me and the other 4 went to contingents. Gibson and Vereker to one, both alas to be killed, Shepherd and Hughes to another. I do not know where Shepherd and Hughes now are but Smith who is here tells me that he went up from Durban with your son to Pretoria that they only took 40lbs of baggage with them and that they left a few things in Pretoria when they came on to this fort.
Note:
Buller commanded the mounted troops of Wood's column throughout the whole of their numerous operations, including Zunguin Nek, Hlobane, Kambula and Ulundi. His Frontier Light Horse had seen action in the ninth Kaffir War. He won the V.C. for his work at Hlobane on 28th March 1879. He was an officer of the 60th Rifles.
Standish William Prendergast Vereker was the third son of Lord Gort. He had seen action against Sekukuni in the Transvaal and at the storming of Sihayo's stronghold in the Bashee Valley. His body was found on the field of battle some four months later by Captain Viscount Downe.
M. Smith, mentioned in Buller's letter, was Lieutenant Metcalfe Smith whose life was saved by Major Leet at Hlobane. See lots 524 and 525.