George Hamilton-Browne

George Hamilton-Browne (22 December 1844 – 21 January 1916) was a British irregular soldier, adventurer, writer and impostor. He was on a reconnaissance on 22 January 1879, and was not present at the Battle of Isandlwana in the Zulu War of 1879. He wrote three books about his experiences, some details of which have been claimed to be of dubious authenticity. He was the son of George Browne (Capt 44th Regiment) and Susanna Mary Hilton, who were married in Manchester 7 March 1844.

Anglo-Zulu War When Natal Native Contingent was formed in November 1879, Hamilton-Browne volunteered to become one of its officers. He first served as a captain, commanding one of the companies of the 1st Battalion/3rd Regiment of the NNC, but on 10 January 1879 was promoted to the commander the entire battalion, after the former commander fell of his horse and injured his head. Each battalion of the NNC had 10 infantry companies of 110 soldiers (9 Europeans and 101 Africans) each, but only 20 men per company had rifles (3 European officers and 6 NCOs with modern Martini-Henrys, and 1 African officer and 10 NCOs with old muzzleloading Enfields), while other 90 had only spears and shields.

In popular culture He was portrayed sympathetically in Zulu Dawn (1979), played by British actor Nigel Davenport.