New Zealanders in The Sudan

[Dave Homewood]

During a speech made by the man leading the Cambridge Dawn Service this past ANZAC Day he stated that New Zealand had been involved in wars before WWI, naming the Sudan and the Boer War as our country's previous wars.

I have never heard any reference to military representatives from New Zealand taking part in the Mahdist war in Sudan (1881–1899). From what I can find the Allied side was Britain, Canada, Australia, British India and the Khedivate of Egypt. And I know that the troops who were sent to South Africa from New Zealand in the Second Boer War (11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902) were known collectively as the 1st New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

However I thought it worth asking here, does anyone know if New Zealand did actually send troops to the Sudanese campaign? Perhaps as representatives of New Zealand but in small numbers, as observers or liaisons?

Just curious. Maybe he was confused with the troops who have been serving there this century?

[kiwithrottlejockey]

from NEW ZEALAND HISTORY Nga korero a ipurangi o Aotearoa....

• New Zealand at War


No mention whatsoever of the Mahdist war in Sudan on that site.

[davidd]

That was the war in which Corporal Jones (of Dad's Army fame) won his spurs! "They don't like it up'em".
Dave D

[Dave Homewood]

They don't like the cold steel up 'em, them Fuzzy Wuzzies.

I actually found a New Zealander who served there,searching Papers Past, bu he'd first gone to Britain and becaome part of a British Army unit. The article did not make clear if he was serving in the NZ Army.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

May 3, 2018 11:17:34 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

They don't like the cold steel up 'em, them Fuzzy Wuzzies.

Hahaha....you're as bad as my late Dad. He called Egyptians WOGS until the day he died.

[lemuel]

I've heard of at least one example of a New Zealander who went to New South Wales and joined one of the units that they sent to the Sudan. It wouldn't surprise me if he wasn't the only one. However, I'm certainly not aware of any New Zealanders being sent as official representatives.