Royal Navy contingent

I’ve finished my Royal Navy contingent for my Suakin campaign … well, until I start work on the armed train.

Left-to-right: HMS Hecla’s company of Blue Jackets, commanded by Captain Arthur Wilson; RMLI company from HMS Tyne, Gatling gun battery, and company of Blue Jackets. Rear: Private Thomas Edwards (1 Black Watch) with a pair of ammunition mules. Front: Rear Admiral Sir William Hewett VC KCB and staff. Wilson and Edwards would be awarded VCs for their actions at second El Teb and Tamai respectively.

Private Thomas Edwards and Naval Brigade Gatling gun battery

Private Thomas Edwards was seconded from his unit, 1 battalion The Black Watch, to the Naval Brigade as a mule driver. From the moment I read an account of his actions at Tamai I had a vignette in mind.

During the furious fight he defended the Gatling guns after members of the naval crew had been killed or wounded. Despite being wounded himself he remained with the guns throughout the action. Edwards was awarded a Victoria Cross, and here is his citation in The London Gazette.

Top to bottom: a period post card celebrating Edwards’ actions at Tamai; my vignette of a Perry Miniatures’ Black Watch figure and Empress Miniatures’ ammunition mules; Edwards with the Naval Brigade battery; and finally, more progress with the towed Gatling gun and limber.