Robert Henry Gunning. Lieutenant. Col. The King’s Royal Rifle Corps

Killed in action, 20th October 1899, Second Boer War. Grave and Regimental Memorial, Talana, Dundee, kwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Photographs Copyright Keynsham Light Horse 1998

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Robert Henry Gunning
Photograph Copyright Talana Museum

Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Henry Gunning, of the 1st King's Royal Rifles, was the eldest son of Sir George William Gunning, fifth Baronet, of Little Horton House, Northampton, the Chairman of the Conservative Party in Mid-Northamptonshire, by his marriage with Isabella Mary Frances Charlotte, daughter of the late Colonel William Chester-Master, of the Abbey, Cirencester, and was born on July 17, 1852. Educated at Eton, he entered the army as a sub-lieutenant on March 26, 1873, and was gazetted to the 60th Foot (now the King's Royal Rifle Corps) as a lieutenant on September 9, 1874. He served in the Zulu War of 1879 with the third battalion of his regiment, and was present at the action of Gingindhlovu and the relief of Ekowe, afterwards serving as adjutant of the battalion throughout the operations of "Clarke's Column," for which he wore the medal with clasp. He was gazetted captain in August 1883, was an adjutant of the Auxiliary Forces (the 5th Militia Battalion of the King's Royal Rifles) from March 1886 to March 1891, having obtained the rank of major on June 25, 1890. In 1891-92 he took part in the war in Burma, being engaged in the operations in the Chin Hills in command of the Baungshe column, for which he wore a second medal with clasp. His commission as lieutenant-colonel bore date April 16, 1898. Colonel Gunning, who was in the Commission of the Peace for the county of Northants, married in 1880 Fanny Julia, daughter of the late Mr. Clinton George Dawkins, formerly Her Majesty's Consul-General at Venice.

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Lt. R. Gunning 3rd Btn 60th   Regiment (King's Royal Rifle Corps), present at Gingindlovu & the Relief  of  Eshowe, later killed in action at Talana (Talana)
Photo by Tim Needham

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Penny Illustrated Paper 28 October 1899

Please note even the Newspapers get initial or initials incorrectly.

Photographs by 90th.

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“Lieut.-Col. Robert Henry Gunning, commanding the 1st Batt. King's Royal Rifle Corps, was killed in action at the Battle of Talana Hill Oct. 20th, 1901. He was the eldest son of Sir George William Gunning, 5th baronet, of Little Horton House, Northampton, was born in 1852, and educated at Eton (Mr. Wayte's). He entered the 68th Foot 1S73, was transferred to the 60th Foot 1874, and was promoted capt. 1883, major 1890, and lieut. -col. 1898. He served with the 60th Rifles in the Zulu War, 1879, was present at the action of Ginginhlovo and Relief of Etshowe, and afterwards served as adjutant of the battalion. throughout the operations of " Clarke's Column," receiving the medal with clasp. In the Burmese Expedition 1891-92, he was in command of the Baungshe Column during
the operations in the Chin Hills, receiving the medal with clasp. At Talana, Lieut. -Col. Gunning fell while leading his battalion, in the attack. Sir A. Conan Doyle in writing of this battle states, " It was here between the wall and the summit that Col. Gunning of the Rifles and many other brave men met their end, some by our own bullets and some by those of the enemy," and again '"'among the killed were many that the army could ill spare. The gallant but optimistic Symons, Gunning of the Rifles, Sherston, Connor, Hambro, and many other brave men died that day." Lieut.-Col. Gunning was mentioned in despatches by Lieut-Gen. Sir G. White, Dec. 2nd, 1899 (L.G., Feb. 8th, 1901). The gallant colonel of the Rifles is buried in the cemetery just below Talana Hill close to where he fell.”