The Man; The Myth; The Legend: Allan Wilson of the Shangani Patrol
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- The last stand of the Shangani Patrol on the 4 December 1893. In modern day Zimbabwe…It is the stuff of legend.
A handful of militiamen surrounded and fighting to the death against an overwheleming force of Matabele warriors.
The man in command was Major Allan Wilson, a 37-year-old Scotsman.
He was a true Victorian maverick - a man of many talents.
Over the years, historians have made a lot of mistakes about who he was, where he came from and his background before coming to Rhodesia.
But today, with the help of research conducted by my mate Cam Simpson, we are going to find out the true story. Let’s Learn who he really was and which battles he had fought in previously.
If you want to learn more about the Shangani Patrol here are some key works:
Pursuit of the King by John O'Reilly - amzn.to/47O5Xqj
A TIme to Die by Robert Cary - amzn.to/3QAng78
The Downfall of Lobengula by W A Wills - amzn.to/3FXh5VG
If you are interested in the Zulu War, then please sign up for my mailing list to receive my free book on the subject: redcoathistory.com/newsletter/
If you are very generous, you can also buy me a coffee and help support the channel via ko-fi.com/redcoathistory
My 2x Great Grand Uncle!
Thank you for putting this together.
It wasn't until about a year ago my part of the family rediscovered this bit of history while doing genealogy research. My father had heard about a family legend, but didn't know any details nor a name to go along with it. About a month after my fathers passing, I stumbled upon the obituary of Allan's brother's wife, which mentions Allan in passing. That opened our family legend wide open, and finally we had a name and story to go with the myth.
Fantastic - what a family history!
Another great story superbly told , thank you once again
Amazing video. I first learned of Major Wilson from the John Edmond song "Shangani Patrol", and then of the early years of Rhodesian History from the CZcams channel @FiveRomeoRomeo . I'm glad that Wilson is still remembered as a brave man.
Cheers from Oklahoma.
I read the book - The White men sang - Alexander Fullerton years ago. Loved it probably confused it with events from Zulu war though.
Found a copy in a charity shop couple years a go. Great read - and I have a bit more understanding of what it was about.
Don't think book is available now.
I still read Henty books.
If you cannot find a copy matie, not read it - I will send you mine - its a paperback - cost me a £1.
I have south African and Rhodesian/Zimbabwe friends
Well presented Chris
I remember George Henty. His book St George for England was a favourite teenage read.
Another great story rescued from oblivion, thanks for sharing Chris.
Thanks - I have a few biographical films like this one coming out over the next few months thanks to my mate Cam Simpson who is helping with the research.
A very interesting story....thanks for sharing
Great video. I read Frederick Burnhams book and story and how he survived this massacre. And I do like the British South Africa Company medals, have 5 for this war.
Wow that is a great collection. Burnham is a legend - hoping to do a video on him eventually.
They are very interesting and you never know the story behind the medal.
Please do. Survived a Sioux massacre as a kid and inspired Baden-Powell.
Great story of a brave man
Great video as always. Got a G A Henry as a prize in the Boys Brigade. I can’t remember the title but it was set in the French Revolution I think? Might have been The Reign of Terror? Anyway lots of derring do and boys own adventure 🙂👍
I am not just a fan of history....I'm a gamer.
Wilson's glorious mustache would be worth an extra 10 "hit points"!
Great video!
They certtainly had great facial hair in those days!
More like British+100
I read alot of Wilbur Smith in my early teens and as a London lad my eyes opened to the plains and kops of the Courtney's and Ballentyn families.
He wrote about Lonbengula, Fiction but ripping yarns wot wot.
Really injoyed this again my friend well done from Tipton in the black country in England
Thanks, Shawn.
Henty books had superb cover illustrations.
EXCELLENT work. Thanks for sharing. Great information and good use of sources. I sincerely appreciate your contributions. :)
Thanks a lot and thanks to my mate Cam who researched Wilson so well.
Thank you for a very interesting historical subject.
Thanks for watching - are there other historical characters you think I should make a film about?
I have a South Africa medal to a trooper that fought at Morosi Mt. Tpr. F. Stuckman Cape Mtd Yeomanary. The U is dented a little it might be O stockman.
I bet Cam Simpson knows him. He has a book coming out about the mountain.
Stuckman served with Colonel Brabant's 1st CMY. Elements of 1CMY were the last to leave the Moorosi's Mountain.
Wonderful video Chris and Cam
Thanks a lot - hope we meet one day!
Me too
I love this channel as it is dedicated to a part of history I am very interested in. It has saved me from having to read through scores of books and although nothing replaces reading, this channel delivers the information very well. It's amazing how little is generally known about this period of British & world history. I guess that the subject of the Empire, especially Africa & India can be considered controversial these days, but history is just that. These events shaped our world today. Thanks
Thanks a lot. Yes, it isn't a popular subject which is why I think its so important to keep the stories alive.
@@redcoathistory Pleasure. It is great that I can learn about a subject I am interested in finally.
Very interesting and dramatic story. Thank-you ,Chris for bringing it to everyone, and keeping it alive. On a happier note I think Santa will be bringing me a couple of Redcoat History tee shirts, and a coffee mug this Christmas! Best Regards from Canada 🇨🇦
Hi there - thanks for watching and letting me know - that sounds like a fantastic Christmas present!
great story .Thank you
Thanks
Great story, and it looks like a lot of the clips are from a movie, what is the name of it please? I'm an old movie buff but I do not know this film. Plus I'm a yank so forgive me for not knowing.
Hi James, it's on CZcams and called Shangani Patrol a 1970 film. Wilson would have had a Scottish accent though.
@@cameronsimpson-ld8nk thank you sir, very much. I shall indulge myself .
I had never heard of G A Henty, Thanks for the recommendation!
Very nice
Thanks Bill
You bet we are both doing the same thing promote history
I will try to play this in January in miniature war game for my channel and cross tie in to your channel
I still read GA Henty, you are not alone 😂
Thanks for a great ten minute biopic on Wilson. I'm 66 and to my shame I've never heard of Henty, so I must check him out. Where are the cigarette cards from?
Hi. here is a link to old cigarette cards - www.flickr.com/photos/44841559@N03/albums/72157622920406414/
@redcoathistory Cheers thanks!
"AU" let's go
What was a 3rd Class Private in rank? As far as I know a Pvt was a Pvt. Either as Rifleman (in more modern Infantry or Commando in RSA prior to 1994) or a "Scout" in the Intelligence Corps etc.
In the various police forces and Cape Mounted Rifles, they had 3rd Class, 2nd Class and First class Privates. Also for Sergeant as well. In the CMR there was a 4th class Private for native privates.
Have a Black Zimbabwean employee in South Africa who attended Allan Wilson Tech and has no clue as to who the school was named after. Why? who knows.
0:14 Modern Day Rhodesia or 'Occupied Rhodesia'. Not Zimbabaweeea
A handful of militia men? Really? Those were volunteers for the British South Africa Company which later became known as the British South African Police.
Yep. Fort Victoria Rangers, Salisbury Horse, Betuananalnd Border Police (I hope I spelled that right) and some Native Axillaries too. Little more than a thousand BSA Company Troops against the 10 Thousand strong Matabele Army, over a thousand of which had modern rifles of their own.
Brave men the lot of 'em, a hard fought victory.
So was Allan Wilson not in the 1st Boer war ? I had always been taught he was
Yep -. Many books claim he was also in the Zulu War but he wasn't. Cam did the research for this and has looked at the primary evidence.
@@redcoathistory I’m actually shocked ! But thanks for the information!
No, he was tied up in the Basuto Gun War at the same time. I guess historians have read the dates 1880-81 and assumed it was the First Boer War, much the same as 1879 is always interpreted as the Zulu War, when he was in the CMR at the time. The fun part of researching these guys is getting the facts right that sometimes can be disappointing when it goes against popular belief.
@@cameronsimpson-ld8nk that’s very true! I’ve just finished reading “a time to die” that dispelled a few myths for me
Yet sadly Scotland will be ruled by muslims
I went to Allan Wilson High School in Salisbury. I was only there for a year. NOT an enjoyable experience.
Sorry to hear that.
G.A. Henty was my introduction to "serious" reading on India.
Good writer, crappy officer.
The nostalgia of the oppressors
More right wing myth building. Why not have post showing the true cost of colonialism?
Hi mate. Welcome to the channel. Here at Redcoat History we honour the men who died fighting for their country - both British and their opponents. If you are looking to indulge in left/right arguments then this isn't the place for it. If you are keen to learn about quirky and interesting stories from Britian's military past then please hang around.
You could do well to read a book occasionally. The Matabele were certainly colonists who regularly robbed neighbouring tribes to feed and pay for their standing army. I don't see them apologising for their colonisation so don't expect me to.
Oh dear , you don’t read widely do you , bless
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