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Surname

Forename

Rank

Notes

Unit

Gunning

Robert Henry

Lieutenant Colonel

He was killed in action at the Battle of Talana Hill October 20th 1899. He was the eldest son of Sir George William Gunning, 5th baronet, of Little Horton House, Northampton, was born in 1852, and educated at Eton. He entered the 68th Foot in 1873, was transferred to the 60th Foot 1874, and was promoted Captain 1883, Major 1890, and Lieutenant Colonel 1898. He served with the 60th Rifles in the Zulu War, 1879, was present at the action of Ginginhlovo and Relief of Etshowe, and afterwards served as adjutant of the battalion throughout the operations of "Clarke's Column", receiving the medal with clasp. In the Burmese Expedition 1891-92, he was in command of the Baungshe Column during the operations in the Chin Hills, receiving the medal with clasp. At Talana, Lieutenant Colonel Gunning fell while leading his battalion in the attack. Sir A Conan Doyle in writing of this battle states "It was here between the wall and the summit that Colonel Gunning of the Rifles and many other brave men met their end, some by our own bullets and some by those of the enemy” and again “among the killed were many that the army could ill spare. The gallant but optimistic Symons, Gunning of the Rifles, Sherston, Connor, Hambro, and many other brave men died that day". Lieutenant Colonel Gunning was mentioned in despatches by Lieutenant General Sir G White, December 2nd, 1899 (LG February 8th 1901). He was buried in the cemetery just below Talana Hill close to where he fell.
Source: Donner

King's Royal Rifle Corps

Gunning

Source: QSA and KSA rolls

DEOVR

Gunning

T F

3133

Private

QSA (4).
Source: QSA medal rolls

13th Hussars

Gunning

Thomas