Remembering Colonel Frederick Gustavus Burnaby killed on this day at the Battle of Abu Klea 17th Jan 1885.
Victorian soldier and adventurer he spoke serveral languages and was famous for adventurous spirit, pioneering achievements and swashbuckling courage.
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Even at school Legend has it he could carry two boys under both arms up the stairs of school house. Burnaby was a huge man for his times: 6 ft 4in tall and 20 stone when fully grown. He entered the Royal Horse Guards in 1859 Finding no chance for active service his spirit of
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adventure sought outlets in balloon ascents and in travels through Spain and Russia with his firm friend, George Radford. In the summer of 1874 he accompanied the Carlist forces in Spain as correspondent for The Times, but before the end of the war he was transferred to
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Africa to report on Gordon's expedition to the Sudan. He was given a post by Lord Wolseley, involved first in the skirmish at El Teb, until he met his death in the hand-to-hand fighting of the Battle of Abu Klea. As a gap in the lines opened up the Colonel rushed out to
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rescue a colleague and was wounded outside the square. Corporal Mackintosh went to his rescue driving his bayonet into the assailant. Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Binning rushed out to give him some water, twice. On the last occasion he came across a private crying, holding the
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dying man's head. He had been struck again by a Mahdist spear through the neck and throat. courageous man of charm and supreme self-sacrifice, who was admired and respected in equal measure
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