GG03-03
John Jenkins Designs
Not yet released - expected in May.
Towards the end of 1878, the headquarters and five companies of the Buffs, which had been scattered over a wide area of Natal, were ordered to concentrate at Thring’s Post, near the mouth of the Tugela river.
Early in November three more companies arrived from Mauritius, at which time they were ordered to construct an earthwork on the right bank of the river, near the mouth, which subsequently became known as Fort Pearson, after the commander of the first column of the field force.
From 4-12 January 1879, the Buffs assisted the Naval Brigade in completing the arrangements for the crossing of Pearson’s column, of which they formed part. Two companies of the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Regiment were part of the 1st Brigade of the Eshowe relief column, and defended part of the west face of the laager alongside the five companies of the 99th Regiment.
The regiment was stationed in Ceylon when in February 1879, it received orders to proceed to Natal. On its journey it joined the 1st Brigade of the column that was being formed for the relief of Eshowe.
They held the right flank face of the laager at Gingindhlovu and assisted in repelling the first enemy attack.
During the second invasion of Zululand they were in the 2nd Brigade of Crealock’s 1st Division.