THE BAMBATHA REBELLION 1906

Both were written to Miss P.H.Spinks in Palmerston Norrth New Zealand: one undated with the postmark Pietermaritzburg 14 September 1906 and the other dated 25 September 1906. They are both signed by Will, and in good condition.

The first card is coloured and has an illustration of the Natal Medical Corps on active service published by Sallo Epstein and Co., Durban.

The second one is a black and white photograph which has the caption Natal Native Rebellion – The Laager and D.L. I. Camp Eshowe Photograph by St A. Wilson.

Bambatha Rebellion. In mid 1906, the Natal colonialist in the face of rising Zulu resentment against the imposition of a 'Poll Tax' unleashed one of the most brutal and bloody armed campaign to suppression the challenge to British colonial rule. The protest and subsequent armed rebellion against the tax has become popularly know as the Bambatha/Bambatha* Rebellion after Chief Bambatha kaMancinza, head of the Zondi, a Zulu clan that lived in the Mpanza Valley in the Greytown district. Chief Bambatha, with the support of other chiefs in the area, refused to accept a new tax that was being implemented by the colonial administration. Together with a small group of supporters, he launched a series of attacks against the colonial forces, using the Nkandla Forest as a base. The campaign, later known as the Bambatha Rebellion, culminated in a pitched battle against the colonial forces at Mome Gorge, where Bambatha and his followers were finally defeated. In general terms, the Rebellion was a response to the harsh policies that the Zulu population was subjected to by the colonial administration in Natal, as well as a number of other contributing factors. https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/bambatha-rebellion-1906

Natal Medical Corps The Medical Battalion Group can trace its roots back to the Militia units of old Natal, dating back to 1895,] when the Ambulance detachments of Durban Light Infantry, Natal Mounted Rifles and Natal Carbineers were merged to form the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps (NVMC). 1899 saw the first active mobilisation of the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps in the Anglo Boer War where the Corps served with distinction with Imperial forces including the Seaforth Highlanders, their first association with the Highland Tartan.

The Militia Act of 1904 saw the change in name to Natal Medical Corps and as such they saw active service in the Bhambatha or Poll Tax Rebellion of 1906. The Natal Medical Corps was called up again in 1914 at the outbreak of the Rand Strikes until released from service in 1915 with thanks from the Government. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1_Medical_Battalion_Group