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colonial waggons
smithart101


Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 65
Location: Dorset UK
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I'm fascinated by the colonial waggons used by the British forces in Zululand. Some I have seen seem to have the odd wheel painted, was this for I'd?
Those used in the film zulu appear very similar to the actual waggons used so does anyone have any modern day photos of such waggons?
thanks
Simon

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Coll
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Simon

The Colonial wagons used by the military varied, but if I'm correct, they used a small flag of a different colour for identification.

Although, I think it was the R.A. that actually painted a number on theirs.

I hope someone can help you with more details.

Coll
Bill Cainan1


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 107
Location: Lampeter
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Simon

There are three/four of these wagons in various museums in KZN. ALL of them have the bodies painted green and the wheels red.

Bill

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John Young


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 1020
Location: Lower Sheering, Essex
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Simon,

I've been looking at the original photographs I have of hired waggons and there's no obvious contrast in the colours of the wheels and the bed of the waggon.

I then looked at David Rattray's A Soldier-Artist in Zululand in one of the plates - Plate 33 - both the wheels and waggon bed appear to be red.

With reference to Coll's comments about waggon identification flags here's the information I have on the subject:

RED = Ammunition waggon

BLUE = Commissariat waggon

RED over WHITE (diagonally divided) = Staff waggon

RED over BLUE (diagonally divided) = Royal Artillery waggon

RED over FACING COLOUR (diagonally divided) = Waggon attached to an Imperial Regiment; red over green = 24th Regt. etc

RED over YELLOW (diagonally divided) = Waggon to a colonial unit

RED CROSS on a WHITE field = Hospital waggons and ambulances.

John Y.
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smithart101


Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 65
Location: Dorset UK
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Thank you guys,
now just need some photos of those waggons in the museums! Maybe there is a model of one I can buy?

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Keith Smith


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 540
Location: Northern NSW, Australia
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Simon

There are detailed manufacturer's drawings in a contempory publication by DP & G. Go to http://www.military-naval-history.co.ukand have a browse around.

KIS
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AMB


Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 921
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Keith,

Many thanks for the link to DP&G publications. Good to see that they are finally on the web. To purchase on-line next, eh?

AMB
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Sawubona


Joined: 09 Nov 2005
Posts: 1179
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Simon,
You're in luck! I'm not entirely sure why you'd like photos of the wagons, but I've a couple I took of one at Eshowe outside the old fort. Drop me a line through "private messages" with your email and I'll send them to you. Do you have a fast connection? If so, I'll send them in as high a resolution as possible.
Regards
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Keith Smith


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 540
Location: Northern NSW, Australia
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Andrew

Don't hold your breath waiting for on-line ordering of books - they much prefer cash! When I first visited the site, I was surprised at the wide variety of material, other than books, that they had to offer.

KIS
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AMB


Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 921
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Keith,

They certainly aren't confining themselves to books are they?!

AMB
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smithart101


Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 65
Location: Dorset UK
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Sawubona

thanks for that. email address sent!
regards
Simon

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colonial waggons
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