On February 9th Mr. Terry Leaver addressed the Society on the subject of "Allan Wilson's Last Stand".

As a result of Cecil Rhodes's imperialist ambitions, and, after receiving Lobengula's concession of mineral rights - the famous Rudd Concession, British subjects had entered Mashonaland in 1890. They did however avoid Matabeleland, Lobengula's realm. The Matabele, however, continued with their raids on the Shona, some of whom now worked for the British pioneers. The situation deteriorated to such an extent that in July 1893 Dr. Leander Starr Jameson, the Administrator of Mashonaland, issued an ultimatum to the Matabele to return to their lands. A misunderstanding at one of the indabas resulted in the death of one of the senior indunas. This ultimatum was further backed up with force when Captain Lendy and his men pursued the Matabele back to Matabeleland.

Jameson now prepared for war - his plan being to invade Matabeleland and to march on Lobengula's capital Bulawayo. To this end three columns were formed, namely, the Salisbury Column of 258 men and 2 maxims commanded by Maj. P. Forbes, the Victoria Column of 414 men and 3 maxims under Major A. Wilson, and the Tuli Column of 225 men under Commandant P. Raaff. The whole force was under the overall command of MajorP. Forbes. Opposing this force were some 4,000 Matabele organised in regiments in accordance with the Zulu tradition.

Two battles were fought by the Salisbury and Victoria Columns on their march to Bulawayo, the Battle of Shangani on 25th October 1893 and the Battle of Imbembesi on 1st November 1893. In both these battles the Matabele attacks were shattered by maxim fire. Lobengula fled to the north on 4th November after burning Bulawayo. The Tuli Column under Raaff arrived in Bulawayo on 13th November and a pursuit column was organised with the objective of capturing Lobengula. There was severe conflict and disagreement between Forbes and his second-in-command, Raaff.

The pursuit column was again reorganised at Shiloh Mission and on 3rd December a force of 158 men and 2 maxims reached the Shangani River. Traces of the Matabele were found and it was confirmed that Lobengula was nearby. Major Allan Wilson crossed the river with 19 men, but 2 men had to return with broken down horses. They came across a stockade and soon established that they were all but surrounded by Matabele. Wilson then despatched Captain Napier and 2 men to Forbes to request the assistance of a maxim gun. Captain Borrow and 20 men were sent to their relief, but, no maxim gun. At dawn the Matabele opened fire. Major Wilson attempted a retreat and hoped that Forbes would come to his assistance when he heard the firing. At about 8 a.m. the American scout Burnham and 2 others arrived back at Forbes' position having left Wilson's force. The main body under Forbes however did not move off to Wilson's assistance as they thought they were surrounded and under imminent threat of attack. The Wilson patrol was then completely surrounded by some 4,000 warriors. They formed a circle and made their last stand. One man, already wounded, collected the rifles and revolvers of his fallen comrades and made a stand on a neighbouring ant-heap. He kept the Matabele at bay for a long time but was eventually shot down. The bodies were all stripped but not mutilated as Mjaan, the Matabele commander forbade the ritual releasing of the spirits. Major Forbes's force was also attacked and could not attempt to assist Wilson. They eventually retreated, but were heavily ambushed at several sites. The conflict between Raaff and Forbes intensified and Raaff eventually took command of the retreat after Forbes's actions lost the confidence of the men.

Mr. Terry Collins thanked the Speaker for his interesting and well illustrated talk.

The Meeting opened with Major Darrell Hall providing an interesting slide presentation on "bogus" war photographs. Several slides of well known war photographs purporting to be action scenes were shown. Darrell then provided the true story behind these photographs. It just goes to show that you cannot always believe what you see!

Future Meetings

Johannesburg - March 9th - Commander W.E.M. Bisset "The History of the South African Navy".

- April 13th - Annual General Meeting and World War II Reminiscence Talks.

The Johannesburg Meetings take place in the J.C. Lemmer Auditorium, S.A. National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg at 20h00.

Durban - March 9th - "Austerlitz" - Video film of the 1805 Napoleonic battle presented by Dr. Angus Allen.

STEWART STILES