History of the United Kingdom during the First World War the conflict. Other members of the royal family were similarly involved. Prince Albert, Duke of York (later George VI), was commissioned in the Royal Navy and saw action as a turret officer aboard HMS "Collingwood" at the battle of Jutland but saw no further action in the war, largely because of ill health. Princess Mary, the King's only daughter, visited hospitals and welfare organisations with her mother, assisting with projects to give comfort to British servicemen and assistance to their families. One of these projects was Princess Mary's "Christmas Gift Fund", through which £162,000 worth of gifts was sent to
Battle of the Shangani Battle of the Shangani The Battle of the Shangani took place on the 25th October 1893, during the First Matabele War in what is now Zimbabwe. A British column was attacked during night by a large force of Matabele warriors. The British were able repulse them with heavy loss of life to the Matabele force. The battle is noted for being the first battle in which the Maxim gun played an important role. The leaders of British Southern Africa Cecil Rhodes and Leander Starr Jameson had responded to a raid by the Matabele with force. A British column commanded by