3-078-268 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Colonial Volunteers: the Natal Carabineers, 1890. 'A grave question now exercising the minds of colonists in "plucky little Natal" is Home Rule, or, as it is called there, Responsible Government. The main argument of the opponents of this measure is the weakness of colonial defence in the face of 500,000 natives living in primitive barbarism, who are not, but might become, disloyal. It is remarked, however, how successfully a handful of Dutch Boers have long held their own in the vast adjoining States - the Orange River and Transvaal Republics; and lastly, with reasonable pride, some colonists point to Natal's little Volunteer army. The Natal Carabineers, or Carbineers, mustering now about 400 horses and carbines, are one of the oldest mounted Volunteer corps of the British Empire, and probably have seen more active service than any other. At the fatal field of Isandhlwnna, in the Zulu War of 1879, a number of them gallantly rallied round Durnford, and fell with him. They are mainly composed of high-spirited, sport-loving, loyal, and true young men - a type happily found all over the British Dominions...Our sketches [are] from photographs by Mr. Murray of Pietermaritzburg'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.