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Date	Original Topic
7th December 2002	Alphonse de Neuville's R/Drift painting By Peter Ewart On p48 (note18) of David Jackson's "Hill of the Sphinx" and pp136 & 138 of Ian Knight's "Nothing Remains but to Fight" the assistance of Lt Col HJ Degacher is mentioned in assisting the painter with information & sketches. Lugg apparently also helped with sketches. IK mentions that Degacher & de Neuville had apparently known each other previously & Jackson hints that they both had a connection, at least, with St Omer & I realise the Degacher bros were half-French & born in St O. Does anyone know a source for this advice from Degacher, please? (Not doubting it for one moment!!!) Does the same linking of Degacher & de Neuville occur in FWDJ's original 1965 article, or has the footnote appeared since? (I still haven't ordered the original, Martin, but will get round to it - many thanks for telling me of its availability). Is it from the regt'l history? Secondly, is the year of the painting known/recorded? De Neuville died in 1885, I believe. Thirdly, did de Neuville live in England or France between 1879 & his death? He completed at least one large "proof" engraving, which was framed. Were their other copies by him? If so, where is it/are they? Coincidentally, from 1892 the above "proof" hung just a few hundred yards from Degacher's brass plaque in Canterbury Cathedral. By the way, if either the KLH or SWBM would like a photo of the plaque on the N wall of the nave there, which gives a bit more later career detail than the Brecon one, let me know as I glance up at it most weekdays. Peter
Date	Replies
7th December 2002	John Young Peter, Alphonse Marie de Neuville & the Degachers apprently attended the same school in France. I did have all the information in a book which Ron Brown -"The Road to Ulundi" loaned to me, but I've since returned. Proof copies of the work were reproduced by the Fine Art Society, which also issued a booklet to accompany the copies. As well as his three 24th paintings, de Neuville also produced one of the 17th Lancers, where a trooper is bathing his wounded horse's hoof in a pool of water at Ulundi. As far as I am aware the works were produced over the period 1880-81, but I'll check further and confirm this. I'll will also check de Neuville obituary, from 1885 - quite correct, and ascertain whether it mentions where he lived. John Young, A.Z.W.R.S.
7th December 2002	Matin Everett Dear Peter, I will send you details of the link between de Neuville and Hitchcock - I think it was published in the JSAHR. John - as well as the four paintings you mention - there is a fifth which held by the 1st Battalion The Royal Regiment of Wales. I do have a photo of the memorial plague in Canterbury Cathedral. Thanks for the offer.
7th December 2002	John Young Dear Martin, Would you care to enlighten us as to the content of the work held by 1st R.R.W.? John Young, A.-Z.W.R.S.
7th December 2002	Peter Ewart Very many thanks John and Martin - a great help. Will look forward to anything at all you can dig out. Peter
8th December 2002	Scott Plummer I presume de Neuville painted several copies of the work " The defence of Rorke's Drift ", as The Art Gallery of New South Wales has on display an oil on canvas painting of this famous work.The Art Gallery Handbook states it was painted in 1880 by de Neuville and purchased by the gallery in 1882. The handbook lists de Neuville dates as 1835-1885.
8th December 2002	Martin Everett These are my own notes: Painted by French artist Alphonse Marie de Neuville (1835-1885) in 1879. The famous painting captures the action during the defence of Rorke's Drift by B Company 2/24th Foot at some point just after 6pm on 22nd January 1879 when the hospital was set on fire. This particular painting is an original and is believed to be de Neuvilles 'rough work' or 'cartoon', which he carried out prior to painting the full size picture, which currently resides in Australia. A press cutting describing the acquisition of this version of the painting states that the Regiment bought it from a Mr Colin Wright in New York in 1895. The Royal Regiment of Wales (24th/41st Foot) could therefore lay claim to owning the original. The full size painting was exhibited at the Fine Arts Society in March 1880. Licop Flameng made engravings before the painting was bought by the Sydney Art Gallery (now the Art Gallery of New South Wales) in 1881.
9th December 2002	Scott Plummer Great to hear we have the original in Australia ! I became familiar with the work being on the front cover of my paperback copy of " Washing of the Spears ". I saw the de Neuville on a trip to Sydney in 1999 and assumed it must just be a copy.... surely the Brits would have snapped up such a fabulous piece ! I can now appreciate the Art Gallery of NSW even more, and commend their taste and foresight in 1882 !
10th December 2002	Martin Everett Peter, The link between de Neuville and Degacher was documented by David Jackson in the Spring 1991 issue of the JSAHR. interestingly the other artist connected with Rorke's Drift was Lady Butler who was married to an officer in the 69th Foot - which was formed from 2/24th Foot. Not a lot of people know that.
10th December 2002	Peter Ewart Martin I am really grateful to you for digging this out. I've also rec'd your email & am responding direct. Very many thanks. Peter