Major Allan Wilson went down in a blaze of Frontier Partisan glory on December 4, 1893, when his Shangani Patrol was wiped out by a Matabele regiment in the forests along the Shangani River, during the First Matabele War in what would become Rhodesia.
The Patrol was a flying column detailed to pursue the fleeing Ndebele King Lobengula, whose regiments had been reaped by the deadly scythe of Maxim gun fire in two engagements. Wilson was a Scotsman who had migrated to South Africa and served in a variety of military and paramilitary capacities. He was well-regarded, not least by the American Scout Frederick Russell Burnham whose image makes up the FP brand.
The Victorian Age loved nothing more than a gallant last stand, so Wilson and his doomed command went down in history and legend. His mustache alone is legendary.
The esteemed Redcoat History channel just posted a biographical profile of this Frontier Partisan outrider of the British Empire.
The Mustache Gang on the Rhodesian frontier. The imposing Allan Wilson stands third from left.
Matthew says
I enjoyed that video. The Scots seem an adventurous people for some reason.
David Wrolson says
X-Ring Hit-Thanks.
Just to add a bit-
Not sure if you have ever mentioned the Shangani Patrol movie and song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8T5pcpzY6mE&t=71s
and the song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMbEreea9Z4
JimC says
Hah. Great minds, etc. I was listening to John Edmond as I put that piece together. Don’t remember if I’ve ever done a post about Edmond. I shall.
David Wrolson says
Oh, and BTW-John Edmond has a lot of Rhodesian war songs-as you can tell from “Troopie Songs.”
David Wrolson says
The video mentioned (I think) the 9th Xhosa War.
Are you familiar with Noel Mostert’s behemoth (1300 pages) book “Frontiers-etc etc” on the Xhosa wars and related? I am guessing you have at least seen it.
Great title anyway-I have it setting on a dresser in the bedroom where I have to look at it every day-maybe tackle it this winter-So many books.
JimC says
Yes — I had that book on the shelf for quite a while before I delved in. It’s an amazing piece of work, and reads quicker than its sheer size would lead you to believe. It was one of my main sources on Coenraad De Buys.
Christian Parkinson says
Thanks for sharing and I am glad that you liked it. There are videos scheduled soon on Johan Collanbrander “The White Whirlwind” that I think you will enjoy – he is another frontiersman of note who fought the Zulus, served and then fought against Lobengula and then lead Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts in the 2nd Boer War. A fascinating man.
JimC says
Fantastic. Colenbrander is one of the great Frontier Partisans. Very much looking forward to this.
Mike W says
TO BRAVE MEN
To the enduring memory of
Allan Wilson and his men
whose names are hereon inscribed and who fell in fight
against the Matabele on the Shangani River
on December the 4th. 1893.
There was no survivor.
Reading from left to right the names are as follows
West Panel
Capt. Borrow (MTD)
Serft. Brown
. . Money
Sergt. Major Harding
Major Wilson (MTD)
Capt. Kirton (DO)
Corpl. Colquhoun
. . Kinlogh
North Panel
Tpr. Dewis
Lieut. Hughes (MTD)
TPR. Brock
. . Dillon
. . De Vos
. . Watson
. . Britton
Capt. Greenfield (MTD)
Sergt. Birkley
East Panel
TPR. Nunn
. . Tuck
. . Oliver
Capt. Fitzgerald (MTD)
TPR. J. Robertson (DO)
. . Thompson
. . Bath
. . Hay-Robertson
Sergt. Bradburn
South Panel
TPR. Meiklejohn
Lieut. Hofmeyer (MTD)
TPR. Mackenzie
Capt. Judd (MTD)
TPR. Welby
. . Abbot
. . Vogel
. . Mellet
JimC says
Thank you Mike.
Mike W says
There were three survivors Maj Burnham (Lead Scout US) Chas William Gooding (Australia) Pearl Pete Ingram (Scout US)