Redwood Natal [i.e. Province of KwaZulu-Natal] and Zululand Album. 1879-80

203 x 136 mm. Showing the stone cross erected among cluster of rocks with three Zulus and a horse standing near the grave. The inscription reads: 'In memory of Lt. And Adjt. Teignmouth Melvill and Lt. Nevill J.A. Coghill 1 Batt 24th Regiment who died on this spot 22nd Jany 1879 to save the Queen's color of their Regiment.' Melvill had retained the colours during the battle of Isandhlwana and had managed to reach the Buffalo River with them, but here he lost his horse and was dragged on to a rock in midstream by Lieutenant Higginson of the 2nd/3rd Natal Native Contingent. Coghill had already reached the safety of the Natal shore but, seeing Melvill and Higginson helpless in the river and attracting Zulu fire, turned back to help them. Almost immediately his horse was shot from under him, but the three men managed to reach the riverbank, the colours being swept away. Higginson at this point left the two exhausted and wounded men who were shortly afterwards attacked by a party of Zulus and killed. Their bodies were found on 4th February 1879 and the Regimental colours discovered in the river below. At that time the Victoria Cross was not awarded posthumously but it was announced in a supplement to The London Gazette of 1st May 1879 that both men would have been recommended for the decoration had they survived. (Their families finally received the decoration in 1907 when the regulations were changed).

For portraits of Melvill and Coghill and for summaries of their careers see Y3058B/26 and Y3058B/31.

Indexed

CN 3305.