Original Carte de Visite Photograph - Teignmouth Melvill VC

Original CDV photo of Teignmouth Melvill who, as lieutenant and adjutant of the 1/24th, attempted to save the Queen’s Colour of his battalion during the disastrous retreat from iSandlwana. Melvill reached the Mzinyathi river but was unhorsed, and lost the Colour in the river; he was rescued by Lt. Nevill Coghill, but the two were killed shortly afterwards. Melvill and Coghill’s ‘dash with the Colour’ became an integral part of the mythology of the battle; both men were later awarded the posthumous Victoria Cross. A good clear image of Melvill in civilian dress.