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JJDESIGNS NEWS UPDATE 10th MARCH 2025
THE ANGLO ZULU WAR
THE BATTLE OF GINGINDHLOVU, 2nd APRIL 1879.
The Battle of Gingindhlovu was fought on 2nd April 1879 between a British relief column sent to break the siege at Eshowe, and a Zulu impi of king Cetshwayo.
The British soldier would refer to it as the Battle of “GIN GIN I LOVE YOU”.
THE 91st (PRINCESS LOUISE’S ARGYLLSHIRE) HIGHLANDERS
The 91st Highlanders were stationed at Aldershot when they received an order, on 12th February 1879 to proceed on active service to Natal. The regiment formed the advance guard on the Eshowe relief column.
During the Battle of Gingindlovu the 91st held the (Southern) rear face of the lager and bore the brunt of the second attack.
After the relief of Eschowe the regiment was employed on convoy duty until it was attached to the 2nd Brigade of Crealock’s 1st Division for the second invasion of Zululand.
The 91st was the only Highland regiment involved in the 1879 Zulu War, and photographs taken at the time show the regiment wearing greatcoats/blankets in bandolier-fashion (en banderole) over the left shoulder, and tartan trousers, with only the pipers in kilts.
THE 57th (WEST MIDDLESEX) 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.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
THE ANGLO ZULU WAR
THE BATTLE OF GINGINDHLOVU, 2nd APRIL 1879.
The Battle of Gingindhlovu was fought on 2nd April 1879 between a British relief column sent to break the siege at Eshowe, and a Zulu impi of king Cetshwayo.
The British soldier would refer to it as the Battle of “GIN GIN I LOVE YOU”.
THE 91st (PRINCESS LOUISE’S ARGYLLSHIRE) HIGHLANDERS
The 91st Highlanders were stationed at Aldershot when they received an order, on 12th February 1879 to proceed on active service to Natal. The regiment formed the advance guard on the Eshowe relief column.
During the Battle of Gingindlovu the 91st held the (Southern) rear face of the lager and bore the brunt of the second attack.
After the relief of Eschowe the regiment was employed on convoy duty until it was attached to the 2nd Brigade of Crealock’s 1st Division for the second invasion of Zululand.
The 91st was the only Highland regiment involved in the 1879 Zulu War, and photographs taken at the time show the regiment wearing greatcoats/blankets in bandolier-fashion (en banderole) over the left shoulder, and tartan trousers, with only the pipers in kilts.
THE 57th (WEST MIDDLESEX) 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.
Best wishes,
john jenkins
