Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Natal 1906, no clasp (Tpr. C. B. Allen, Zululand Mtd. Rifles), extremely fine £90-110

The Natal or Bambata Rebellion was the result of a proposal by the Colonial Authorities to impose a tax on the local tribes as a contribution towards local administration. Two policemen were killed in an incident on 8 February 1906 and martial law was proclaimed throughout the Province. Local militia, as well as units from other provinces of South Africa were mobilised. Bambata, chief of the Zondi Tribe (part of the Zulu Nation), attacked a column of mainly Natal Police on 4 April and then retreated into forest land. Bambata, then with a sizeable following, was cornered in the Mome Gorge on 9 June, and he and some 5oo of his men were killed. This action effectively ended the rebellion. By the terms of the official Militia Order, those who served for a period of more than 20 days were entitled to the Natal Medal; those who served for more than 50 days were entitled to the clasp.

The Zulu Mounted Rifles were formed in 1904 and amalgamated with the Umvoti Mounted Rifles in 1913. During the Zulu Rebellion they saw much active service and an Intelligence Section was formed from amongst its ranks. Five D.C.M.’s out of a total of seven awarded for the campaign, went to this unit.