Signalman William Aynsley HMS Active Vignette

[Helen]

I've found a little time to paint up another vignette for the Battle of Isandlawana. This time I went for an interesting story of Signalman William Aynsley HMS Active, servant to Lieut Berkley Milne RN. The only representative of the Royal Navy at the Battle for Isandlawana.
Quite a bit of modelling required to make this minature possible. The miniature is from Perry Miniature's Victoria's Little Wars. The head from the Sudan Range. The navy cutlass has been cut down and reshaped from a British officers sword from the plastic sprue including the right hand attached to the sword. Some green putty in places like the ribbons on the back of his headdress and the hilt of the cutlass.
Further information about the Naval Brigade in Zululand can be found here:
https://www.anglozuluwar.com/images/Journal_5/4)_The_Naval_Brigade_in_Zululand_-_BB.pdf
Thanks for looking.

[OSHIROmodels]

Lovely work Helen 

[Silent Invader]

That is a very nice piece Helen - very well done 

[Ranthony]

This is Great Helen!

I remember reading an account of his last stand at Isandlwana by Laband or Knight, I forget which.

If I recall correctly, Mehlokazulu gave an account that he saw a sailor brandishing a cutlass with his back to a wagon wheel, cutting down any warriors who came at him, until finally a warrior crept beneath the wagon and assegaid him through the wheel spokes.

The way is was written gave a real sense of the struggle.

[Malamute]

This is Great Helen!

I remember reading an account of his last stand at Isandlwana by Laband or Knight, I forget which.

If I recall correctly, Mehlokazulu gave an account that he saw a sailor brandishing a cutlass with his back to a wagon wheel, cutting down any warriors who came at him, until finally a warrior crept beneath the wagon and assegaid him through the wheel spokes.

The way is was written gave a real sense of the struggle.

I was having the very same discussion with Helen on Facebook! I believe it was from Donald Morris's Washing of the Spears. I remember reading it as a child and being captivated by the story, I imagine it being quite fanciful as I wouldn't rate his chances against a Zulu with a shield and an Assegai...

[Helen]

Thank you all for your kind words.

Mike Snook's book is where I looked to the vignette. I do have a framed print by Simon Smith on the Battle of Isandlawana showing in the background William Aynsley fighting with his cutlass.

[marianas_gamer]

Nice vignette Helen, both in composition and painting.

[Helen]

Nice vignette Helen, both in composition and painting.

Thank you.

[JBaumal]

Helen, excellent idea and outstanding execution!

[Grumpy Gnome]

Great work!

[Helen]

Thank you guys once again for your kind words.

[Hammers]

Lovely attention to detail Helen. At first I thought the ribbon was a pigtail but I suppose those were out of fashion in the Navy by the late 19th century.

[Helen]

Lovely attention to detail Helen. At first I thought the ribbon was a pigtail but I suppose those were out of fashion in the Navy by the late 19th century.

Thanks Peder and yes they do look similar to ribbons. Yes, pigtails were long gone by this period in question.

Take care.

[Plynkes]

The ribbon is what has the name of the ship on it, I believe, Peder. I guess so you don't have to get a new hat if you are transferred to another vessal. Though I don't blame Helen for not painting that on. There's no way I could make it say HMS Active and it not look a mess.

Great work, Helen. Looking forward to seeing more of your Zulu odyssey.

[Helen]

The ribbon is what has the name of the ship on it, I believe, Peder. I guess so you don't have to get a new hat if you are transferred to another vessal. Though I don't blame Helen for not painting that on. There's no way I could make it say HMS Active and it not look a mess.

Great work, Helen. Looking forward to seeing more of your Zulu odyssey.

Thanks Dylan. Yes as much as I would like to have painted on his ribbon the name of her majesty's ship my abilities are not that great, however, I thank you for your kind words.

Take care please.