rorkesdriftvc.com :: View topic - B-Company 1/24th regiment

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 6:48 am

Hello
I have been trying to locate a source to enlighten me on who commanded B Company of the first Regiment and where were they during the battle of Isandlwana.Diferent sources also quote different Coy commanders for the various companies.If somebody knows the official Orbat for the battle I would appreciate to see it.
Johan Peltz

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:28 pm

B company of the 1/24 was commanded by Captain Henry Harrisson [correct spelling] the company was stationed at Port st John's in the Eastern Cape, and never served in the zulu war.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:35 pm

Johan

I don't know if you have Ian Knight's book 'Zulu: Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift 22-23 January 1879'., but on pages 30-31 there is a photograph, apparently of B. Company 1/24th, which has a man in civilian dress, who may be Capt. H. Harrison.

Coll

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:56 pm

Dear All,

The correct spelling of B Company commander was Harrisson.

However on the 11 May 1879 the 1st Battalion 24th Regt reformed at Dundee with the drafts sent out from UK as follows:

Major Dunbar assumed command of 1/24th. Of the original companies, B (at St. John�s River under Captain Harrisson) became H Company; D Company (Brevet Major R Upcher) was re-designated A Company; G Company (Captain T Rainforth) remained unchanged. New companies were formed from the draft as follows: B (Captain AA Morshead), C (Lieutenant CRW Colville, Grenadier Guards), D (Captain LH Bennett), E (Captain The Hon GAV Bertie, Coldstream Guards) and F (Captain Wilfred Heaton).

Previous to that, i.e. on 22 January 1879

Battalion HQ:
Pulleine (CO), Degacher W, Melvill (Adjt), White (Pmr), Pullen (QM), Sergt-Major Gapp at Isandhlwana
A Company:
Porteous at Isandhlwana
B Company:
Harrisson, Spring, Roche at Fort Harrisson, Southern Natal/Pondoland border
C Company:
Younghusband, Hodson at Isandhlwana
D Company:
Upcher, Heaton, Lloyd moved independently from PMB to Helpmekaar
E Company:
Cavaye, Dyson at Isandhlwana
F Company:
Mostyn, Anstey, Daly moved independently from PMB arriving Isandhlwana 21 January
G Company:
Rainforth, Clements, Palmes moved independently from PMB to Helpmekaar
H Company:
Wardell, Atkinson at Isandhlwana
Band:
At Isandhlwana