| Date | Original Topic |
| 3rd September 2002 | Irish at Rorke's Drift
By Patrick Thomas
I'm wondering how many Irishmen were at Rorke's Drift as opposed to Welshmen? |
| Date | Replies |
| 4th September 2002 | Martin Everett
Dear Patrick,
The best figure we can come up with is 16. If you wish to know their names then details are given in 'The Noble 24th' by Norman Holme and in 'Rorke's Drift' by Adrian Greaves. I trust that helps.
|
| 4th September 2002 | Lee Stevenson
I might add a few more to Martin's number and suggest about 28... this includes Reynolds, Dunne, Sheehan (Graham), Cantwell & McMahon |
| 4th September 2002 | John Young
Lee,
You beat me to it, but I would add two more at least - making it thirty.
That is not including 'second generation Irish' from places such as Liverpool, or those with at least one Irish parent.
As to the number of Welshmen is returning to the Monmouthshire debate again?
John Young,
Chiarman,
Anglo-Zulu War Research Society. |
| 4th September 2002 | Patrick Thomas
I have seen the Noble 24th lists and those in the Silver Wreath/Rorke's Drift book.
So we could be looking at over 20% of the garrison as being of Irish birth, (working on the 141 total given by the Chard roll). As John says it's probably a lot more if you take into account those born in Wales/England/Scotland etc but of Irish parentage.
Any idea how this compares with the percentages for nationalities in the army at the time?
|
| 4th September 2002 | Mike McCabe
The opportunity for facetiousness is simply too good to miss. I have always thought that 'Zulu' might have been a much better film if only Val Doonican had featured in it.
"If your Irish, come into the lar-gah!" has a much more cheery ring to it than "Men of Harlech"!
|
| 5th September 2002 | John Young
Thank you Mike!
Would he have worn a sweater, and been sitting on the stoep on his rocking chair?
John |
| 5th September 2002 | Lee Stevenson
In 1880 some 20.9% of the Regular Army were of Irish birth: source General Army Returns 1880
69.7% English
8.& Scottish
1.3% 'other' |
| 16th September 2002 | Alun Jones
Going by birth/baptism certs of places of birth the list is
28 Irish
61 English
1 French
2 India
1 New Zealand
2 Scotland
3 South Africa
1 Swiss
25 Wales/Monmouth sorry jon.
36 unknown
jon is correct that there are several others that may be from ireland
Alan |
