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Date	Original Topic
26th July 2001	John Fielding By Joanna About four years ago I was told by my step mother that my great grandfather was John Fielding. After my father's death, she gave me a signet ring that she thought had been given to him when he won the VC that had the image of a zulu shield and two spears crossed on it. Sadly and to my great distress, this was stolen only weeks later during a burglary in my house. Has anyone else ever heard of the existence of these rings and is there any more information on John Fielding?
Date	Replies
26th July 2001	Alan Critchley Joanna, you have my symphathy with your loss. Unfortunately the world is partly occupied by people who don't warrant the air space they take up. Good luck in your quest. Alan [email protected]
31st July 2001	Martin Everett This story of the RD defenders being given rings has surfaced many times over the years. One story even suggests that they may have been presented by Queen Victoria. I have never seen one nor have I seen any evidence of a formal presentation. It is possible that a group of defenders had them made specially following the end of campaign. This happened more recently when 1/SWB returned from Malaya in 1956. It also happens to US officer cadets passing out of West Point Academy (these rings are dated I think). Today any ring attributed to RD defender would have curiosity value rather than as a genuine military artefact.
22nd September 2001	Drew Hopewell prescott Dear Joanna, My second cousin received the VC for valor at Arnheim the last bridge and the one too far. Several years ago, during a visit to him in South Africa he introduced me to a descendant (I do not know the degree of consanguinity) of the Bromhead family. I can not recall the gentleman's name (it was not Bromhead) but he was a perfect host. He had served in an airborne regiment in addition to serving a marvelous vintage port in his library after dinner. His library had an antique display case containing family military memorabilia. Among the items in the case was a signet ring bestowed upon Lt. Bromhead after the bestowal of his VC. At this point he told me that he was related to the Bromheads but I did not press for details. He told me the VC bestowed to Bromhead is on display in the regimental museum. The ring was going to be personally presented by HRH Queen Victoria. Her Royal Highness was ill on the day of the presentation and the ceremony was postponed. Through a series of bureaucratic snafus the ceremony never made it back onto the royal calendar and the rings remained in storage somewhere in the bowels of Buckingham Palace. Bromhead now a brevet major was serving with his regiment in India. The signet ring was presented to Bromhead in a private military ceremony sometime before July1892. Military protocol required an officer with the rank of full colonel to make the presentation. Bromhead died unmarried in India (or it may have been in a city that is now part of Pakistan) of fever in that year. There were other rings presented at the same ceremony to members of the 2/24 (2d Warwickshires/24th Regiment of Foot (actual county designation of Bromhead's unit at time of RD engagement) awarded VCs for valor at RD. The signet ring bears the image you describe. The 24th Regiment of Foot did not change its name to the South Wales Borderers until 1881. The gentleman did not know the names or the exact number of individuals receiving the signet ring at the ceremony but he is possession of a private journal (not Bromhead's) that makes clear that the ring was given to others in addition to Bromhead at the same ceremony. The journal evidently recites the salient facts of correspondence sent by Bromhead to the author of the journal. The exact date of the ceremony is uncertain because of a smudge on the page recording the contents of Bromhead's letter. The smudge also obliterated information that may have set forth the names of the presiding officer and others in attendance. The gentleman may have told me the name of the journal's author but alas my memory fails me on this point. I saw the actual journal because it was in the memorabilia case next to the signet ring but I did not see the specific page in question. I hope this information is useful to you. I remain. Sincerely, Drew Hopewell Prescott. PS I regret your loss of a truly historic heirloom. Be aware that the spirit of the ring and your ancestor's valor is alive and not forgotten. I hope in this time of peril facing our country that we as a Nation demonstrate the same indomitable will and steadfast courage of your ancestor. I have no doubt that we shall give our enemies the same steel that carried the day at Rorke's Drift
2nd February 2004	Simon Copley Joanna, John Fielding live in Cwmbran, in Wesley Street) and was buried in Llantarnam Churchyard. Sorry re your loss. Some people are horrible