Family military photo's 1900s-1930s

Discussion in 'Prewar' started by Mk3, Oct 5, 2020.

  1. Mk3

    Mk3 Member

    A letter my Great Grandfather wrote to my 8yr old father in 1948 on the 69th anniversary of The Battle of Ulundi.

    He describes how they were completely surrounded by the Zulus. How they slept with all their clothes on, with 70 rounds of bullets in their pouch and with swords and rifles by their sides ready to march off early the next morning at 5am. They were ordered to march through a wide river, about 3 feet deep, in the dark to get to where the army of Zulus were, up a hill where they came across empty huts that they set on fire. The smoke caused alarm to the Zulus, who were some distance away, and thousands came rushing like a herd of mad bulls.

    He stated that they were 4 deep in a square, 2 ranks kneeling and 2 ranks standing. A battery of 7 pounder guns and 2 Gatling guns all firing at once. No matter how many Zulus were killed they still kept coming. Eventually the firing stopped the Zulus and "we gave a great cheer" and the Cavalry was ordered to charge. The Battle was won.

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    Rich Payne and 4jonboy like this.
  2. Mk3

    Mk3 Member

    Great Grandfather seated 3rd from left during the Boxer Rebellion, Christmas 1899 on Liu Kung Tao island Wei Hai Wei, China

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    Great Grandfather seated with the Rifle Match Cup, 1899, during the Boxer Rebellion

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    Great Grandfather in Dublin 1902. He was in charge of the barracks along the North West coast of Ireland
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    Great Grandfather in Dublin 1902
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    Great Grandfathers son Donald 1914 & 1918

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    Cousin William Pearce later became a Major
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    A family member, unsure which one

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    My Great Grandfather Alfred Dennis, Mayor of Ryde, Isle of Wight in 1936 onboard the new Red Funnel Paddle Steamer PS Gracie Fields.
    She ran on the Southampton-Cowes route until the outbreak of World War 2 when she was requisitioned and served as HMS Gracie Fields as a minesweeper.
    On 29 May 1940, the ship took part in the Dunkirk evacuation, rescuing 280 troops on the first trip. However, on the second trip, with 750 men on board, she was attacked and dive bombed by German aircraft resulting in the loss of eight on board, the survivors having been picked up by warships. HMS Pangbourne attempted to tow the damaged vessel back to England but HMS Gracie Fields sank in the night.


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