We may mention here that on board the “Birkenhead” when she was wrecked on the morning of Feb. 26, 1852,[552] were Captain Wright and 41 privates of the 91st.
Brass Tablet erected in Chelsea Hospital.
To the memory of
Colonel Edward W:C:Wright C:B
late 91st Highlanders
and Deputy Inspector of Reserve Forces who died 26th August 1871 Aged 57.
Capt Wright was the senior surviving Officer of the Troops embarked in Her Majestys Ship Birkenhead wrecked off the Cape of Good Hope on 26. Feby:1852: For his distinguished service on this occasion he was promoted to the rank of Major and awarded a good service pension
He was also engaged in the Kaffir wars of 1846–47 and 1852–53 for which he was granted the medal and promoted for service in the Field to the rank of Lt. Colonel:
This Tablet is erected by his Brother Officers
MDCCCLLXXIII
On the 10th of March a force of 375 of all ranks of the 91st, under Major Forbes, was again engaged at the Waterkloof in a combined movement,[553] in which 11 rank and file of the regiment were wounded. The Commander-in-Chief, in writing of these operations, said:—
“Lt.-Col. Napier moved on the 10th up the Waterkloof Valley, and on entering the narrow and difficult ground towards its head, it was evident that the enemy meditated an attack upon the rear, and Colonel Napier accordingly placed the 91st regiment, under Major Forbes, in a position to resist it. This was most effectually done after a short fight, and Colonel Napier gained and maintained his position.”