George Hamilton-Browne
George Hamilton-Browne was a British irregular soldier, adventurer, writer and impostor. He was on a reconnaissance on 22 January 1879, and was not present at the Battle of Isandlwana in the Zulu War of 1879. He wrote three books about his experiences, some details of which have been claimed to be of dubious authenticity.Biography
He was born into a military family of Irish descent in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire on 22 December 1844. He was the son of George Browne and Susanna Mary Hilton, who were married in Manchester 7 March 1844. He was twice married and died in Jamaica in January 1916.Anglo-Zulu War
When Natal Native Contingent was formed in November 1879, Hamilton-Browne volunteered to become one of its officers. He first served as a captain, commanding one of the companies of the 1st Battalion/3rd Regiment of the NNC, but on 10 January 1879 was promoted to the commander the entire battalion, after the former commander fell of his horse and injured his head. Each battalion of the NNC had 10 infantry companies of 110 soldiers each, but only 20 men per company had rifles, while other 90 had only spears and shields. As commander of the 1st battalion, Hamilton-Browne took part in the battle of Sihayo's Kraal on 12 January 1879, and was sent with most of his battalion on a reconnaissance in force east of the main British camp at Isandlwana on 21 January. His unit was the first to return to the camp in the afternoon of 22 January, and it came four miles from Isandlwana during the final stage of the battle. That way, Hamilton-Browne was able to inspect the final moments of the battle of Isandlwana through his binoculars.He was portrayed sympathetically in Zulu Dawn, played by British actor Nigel Davenport.Literature
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