Maj. W. Gurney 91st Highlanders (Princess Louise's Argyllshire Regiment),

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Maj. W. Gurney 91st Highlanders (Princess Louise's Argyllshire Regiment), present at Gingindlovu & the Relief of Eshowe
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Posts : 3387 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Maj. William Prescod Gurney, Argyllshire Highlanders: "To the memory of Major W. P. Gurney, who died at Mauritius on the 27th January 1880, from illness contracted during the Zulu campaign, aged 45. This tablet is erected by his brother officers in token of their affectionate regard." Gurney was commissioned as an Ensign in the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders in 1854. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1855, Captain in 1860, Brevet [i.e. acting] Major in 1873 and Major in 1876. In January 1879, the British suffered a shock defeat at Isandlwana at the hands of a Zulu army and another British force was besieged at Eskowe. Realising that they were fighting a much more skilful and disciplined enemy than they had anticipated, the British sent strong reinforcements to Zululand, including the 91st Argyllshire Highlanders. On 2 April 1879, Major Gurney took part in the battle of Ginginhlovo (known to British soldiers as ‘gin, gin, I love you’). The Zulus suffered heavy losses trying to break the heavily armed British square and were forced to retreat. The 91st carried on to relieve Eskowe. There had been an outbreak of typhoid at Eskowe and this may be what killed Gurney.

The above information came from holytrinitystirling.org

Posts : 747 Join date : 2009-10-18

On the 27th of January Major W. P. Gurney died of fever, contracted in the field during the Zulu campaign. He was buried with full military honours at Bease Bassin. A tablet to his memory was erected in Stirling Church by his brother officers, as a token of their esteem and respect.

Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

Source:The Scottish War Memorials Project.

Argyllshire Highlanders
To the Memory of Major W. P. Gurney, who died at Mauritius
On the 27th January 1880, from illness
Contracted during the Zulu Campaign: Aged 45
This Tablet is erected by his Brother Officers
In token of their affectionate regard.
Memorial within the Holy Trinity Scottish Episcopal Church, Stirling .

Posts : 3387 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

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Major W. P. Gurney, 91st Foot

William Prescod Gurney was born in London on 3 July 1834, and was appointed Ensign in the 91st Highlanders on 17 February 1854; Lieutenant, 6 July 1855; Captain, 12 November 1860; Brevet Major, 28 September 1873; Major, 19 January 1876. He served during the Zulu War as second-in-command to Lieutenant-Colonel Bruce, and was present at the battle of Ginghilovo, the relief of Etshowe, and was subsequently commanding convoys. He died of fever at Mauritius on 28 January 1880.
By Littlehand

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"William Prescod Gurney was born in London on 3 July 1834, and was appointed Ensign in the 91st Highlanders on 17 February 1854; Lieutenant, 6 July 1855; Captain, 12 November 1860; Brevet Major, 28 September 1873; Major, 19 January 1876. He served during the Zulu War as second-in-command to Lieutenant-Colonel Bruce, and was present at the battle of Ginghilovo, the relief of Etshowe, and was subsequently commanding convoys. He died of fever at Mauritius on 28 January 1880."
Source: DNW

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Source: Trio of Antique Scottish Mounted Taxidermy Hunting Trophies, circa 1876

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