Warren Wynne

Warren Richard Colvin Wynne (9 April 1843 – 9 April 1879) was an Anglo-Irish officer in the British Army. He rose to the rank of captain, and ultimately brevet major, in the Royal Engineers. During the Zulu War of 1879, he oversaw the building of several forts, and died of a fever contracted during the defence of Ekowe.

Origins Warren Richard Colvin Wynne was born at Collon House, County Louth, on 9 April 1843. He was the eldest surviving son of Captain John Wynne, Royal Horse Artillery, of Wynnestay, Roebuck, County Dublin, by his wife, Anne, daughter of Admiral Sir Samuel Warren. He was descended from the Wynnes of Hazlewood, County Sligo, many of whom served as army officers.

Career After passing through the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, he received a commission as lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 25 June 1862. He served at various home stations, and then for five years at Gibraltar, where he acted as adjutant of his corps. He was appointed to the ordnance survey in the home counties on his return to England at the end of 1871. He was promoted to the rank of captain on 3 February 1875.

On 2 December 1878 he embarked in command of the 2nd Field Company of the Royal Engineers for Natal, part of the small number of reinforcements sent to the colony ahead of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Following his arrival at Durban Wynne marched to join the first column as commanding Royal Engineer under Colonel (afterwards Sir) Charles Knight Pearson at the mouth of the Tugela River. He reached the column on 12 January and the following day crossed the river with them. There, in the presence of the enemy Wynne with his company of Royal Engineers, assisted by the line, laid out and built Fort Tenedos on the left bank of the Lower Tugela. The structure, large enough to shelter the entire column and a quantity of stores, was completed on the 17th. expressed his high opinion of Wynne's services. He was buried in the hillside cemetery overlooking the river and Fort Tenedos. His name was commemorated by his corps in Rochester Cathedral. motto=Non sibi sed toto notes= crest=A wolf's head erased as in the arms. image=File:Arms of Wynne - Vert, a chevron ermine between 3 wolves' heads erased argent (DrawShield colours).svg name=Wynne