‘Colonel Burnaby’ - British Patriotic Song

‘Colonel Burnaby’ is a British patriotic song about the Mahdist War and the death of Colonel Frederick Burnaby in the battle of Abu Klea. The Mahdist War began in 1881 as a rebellion against the Egyptian government in the region by native Sudanese people. When the British brought Egypt into their sphere of influence in 1882, they joined the Egyptians against the Mahdists. Originally planned, was for the British army to help withdraw Egyptian troops and civilians from the Sudan, to leave Sudan with a native government. The British officer in charge, Charles Gordon, was remaining in the city of Khartoum until all Egyptians could safely leave for Egypt when the Mahdists surrounded the city in March of 1884. In October of 1884, a relief force was sent to Egypt to help break the siege in Khartoum, Frederick Burnaby was part of the force. In mid January of 1885, a British force of 1400 fought against a Mahdist force ten times larger in the battle of Abu Klea. Colonel Burnaby would die in the battle whilst fighting a Mahdist hand to hand, and the British would win the battle. The force would later arrive at Khartoum on the 28th, finding that the city had already been lost, with Gordon and many others killed. Most major action mostly would fade in 1885, with small battles and expeditions happening up to 1889. It wouldn’t be until 1896 when an Anglo-Egyptian force would return to the Sudan and end the Mahdist state, reasserting Egyptian rule. Recording done by the band ‘The Druids’ I don’t own the music in any way.