PAST EVENTS
In defiance of the ban imposed by the English in 1746 on the wearing of kilts and tartans following the BATTLE OF CULLODEN, fellow-member Ian Sutherland wore his kilt when he presented an illustrated talk on this very battle at our October meeting. By way of an introduction he referred briefly to the several attempts Scotland had made to gain its independence from England. The fourth and last attempt came in 1745. The exiled Stuarts, encouraged by France and Spain, made a bold push for the throne of Britain. Charles Edward Stuart, the young pretender, the 'bonnie Prince Charlie' of those stirring Jacobite songs, which sprang from the burning heart of a revolted nation, landed near Moidart on the coast of Invernessshire in July of that year. Initial successes were followed by months of inaction during which the Duke of Cumberland brought up his English and Hanoverian troops.
Concentrating his forces, Prince Charles Edward awaited the British on Culloden moor. Hearing, however, that the Duke of Cumberland had halted at Nairn, eight miles away, to celebrate his 25th birthday (April 15th 1746), Charles,with Lord George Murray, decided to surprise his camp; but the long night march over the moors was too much for the tired Highlanders and they returned to their old position, more exhausted and depressed than ever. Early on the morning of April 16, a cold and rainy day, Cumberland made contact with the pretender's army. The Jacobites, about 5 000 strong, were drawn up in two widely separated lines, with a small reserve of horse, on ground which had been selected by Col O'Sullivan, although it did not really suit Highland arms and tactics. Their opponents, 9 000 strong, were also in two lines, at a distance of 50 paces, with cavalry on each flank and a reserve of Highland irregulars. The battle began with an artillery duel, in which the 18 well-served guns on the Hanoverian side caused great distress to the Highlanders, who sought to escape their fire by attack. The regular British infantry awaited them in three ranks. The Highlanders on the left failed to attack effectively; on the right they broke through, but were taken in flank by supports from the second line and thrown back in great confusion. Seeing this, the Jacobite centre and left lost heart and retreated, the regulars following up and causing heavy losses both with musketry fire and their bayonets; no quarter was given and even the wounded were killed by government troops. At the same time the dragoons broke through and attacked the Jacobite second line in the rear. The Highlanders, finding themselves outflanked, broke and fled. About 1 000 were killed in the battle or the subsequent pursuit, and the same number were taken prisoner; Cumberland lost only 50 killed and 200 wounded. In less than an hour the fate of the house of Stuart was decided.
In addition to illustrating some aspects of his talk with colour slides, our speaker also gave atmosphere to the meeting by a display of maps, brochures, pictures and some produce of Scotland, to wit whisky, oatmeal biscuits, and a cube of genuine peat! John Yelland expressed a warm word of appreciation and a vote of thanks to the speaker.
A FIELD DAY AT COLENSO
Following popular demand and for the third time the battle of Colenso and in particular the fate of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Artillery, were presented to eleven car-loads of enthusiasts at Colenso on Sunday 25 October. The participants represented mainly members from Natal and Transvaal, the latter including such stalwarts as the national chairman, Mr Ian Uys, Prof Johan Barnard and Maj Darrell Hall. There was even one member from Cape Town and, as a special guest, the British Consul in Durban, Mr Simon Davy. The group was met at 'Clouston's' by His Worship the Mayor of Colenso, Cllr Gouws, resplendent in his chain of office, and the Town Clerk, Mrs van Rooyen. The Mayor extended an official word of welcome to the gathering; the requisite commentary during the day was presented in a most realistic way, including simulated artillery bursts, by the gunner-triumvirate Darrell, 'SB', and Ken.
FUTURE EVENTS
Programme of monthly meetings
NOVEMBER 19TH MAJOR DARRELL HALL is coming all the way from Johannesburg to give an illustrated slide talk about 1820 Settler, William Corey.
December IN RECESS
1988
January 14th Our Chairman, 'SE' Bourquin - "Shaka's Heritage".
February 11th Fellow-member Vic Conrad - "The Birth of Israel"
The venue for all meetings will be the 'Bourq Inn', lower ground floor, 'SB' Bourquin Building, on the corner of Jan Smuts Highway and Buro Crescent, Mayville. This month's meeting will take place on the third Thursday in November, commencing at 7.30 p.m. (19h30). Please bring your own glass and canned or bottled refreshments. Ice will be supplied. FRIENDS AND INTERESTED PERSONS ARE WELCOME TO COME ALONG.
1862 - 1987 THE NATAL FIELD ARTILLERY IS 125 YEARS OLD
To mark the 125th birthday of the NFA limited editions of commemorative envelopes, signed by the OC, RSM and His Worship the Mayor of Pietermaritzburg, as well as sets of NFA uniforms consisting of 11 prints per set by well-known artist Andy May, are available on request from The Officer Commanding, Natal Field Artillery Box x5l.... DURBAN 4000. The price of the uniform prints is R25 per set.
FLOOD SURVIVOR
Ken Gillings has passed on a note to say that "members may be relieved to know that the Ultimatum Tree survived the recent floods - but only just! The road to Tugela mouth now ends at the Ultimatum Tree sign-post. The fence which surrounds the tree now stands on the edge of the banks of the Tugela River."
(Mrs) Tania van der Watt,
Secretary, Durban Branch,
S.A. Military History Society,
Box 870, HILLCREST, 3650.
Tel. (031) vvvvvv