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Date | Original Topic | 26th October 2002 | The last casualty at Isandlwana? By Lee Stevenson Just adding something of interest found at the Public Record Office recently
2-24 783 Private James Parsons, 2nd/24th
discharged unfit for further service on the 17th December 1879, the cause of his discharge;
"Sprain - Right Knee"
22nd January 1879 at Isandwhandla (sic)
He states that when with Lord Chelmsford's Column & when they were proceeding towards the scene of the disaster he fell down at night into a large hole and injured his knee...." | Date | Replies | 26th October 2002 | Peter Ewart Didn't see the donga in the dark, Lee! No doubt Surg Reynolds had a look at his knee the following morning after another dozen miles on the hoof?
With a little imagination, one can imagine Pte Parsons propping up the bar in years to come with:
"Of course, I'd like to have served Her Majesty for longer, but the Army doc told me I'd done my bit for Queen & Country & I'd earned my rest. I s'pose I'm lucky, really, when I think of all my mates. This wound I copped that night (sorry, I mean day) reminds me of them. Did I ever tell you about that awful business? What's that, landlord? Oh, don't mind if I do - thank you, just a little one this time, mind ..."
Peter Ewart | 27th October 2002 | Martin Everett Dear Lee,
Poor old Parsons - Durford's Donga has got a lot to answer for!
| 27th October 2002 | Martin Everett Durford should be of course Durnford - |
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