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Date	Original Topic
8th September 2001	Silver Spear Presented to J.R.M.C. By Tony Chard I am trying to establish the whereabouts of a silver assegai spear presneted to John Rouse Merriot Chard. The item was due to be sold by Spinks of London but was withdraw from the sale some 5-6 years ago. The following details are from an extract in the Daily Telegraph at that time. "A silver model assegai - a Zulu stabbing spear- was made by a London silver smith for presentation to Lt Chard by his No 2,Lt Gonville Bromhead, Micheal Cain in the film, and the four other officers. The assegai, which left Lt Chard's familly some years after his death in 1897, passing through hands of several collectors since" The article goes on to say that it is unclear whether the tribute was present here in the United Kingdom or South Africa. If there are any relations or collectors who have any information please feel free to reply. I do have a copy of the cliping which I can e-mail on request.
Date	Replies
17th September 2001	Peter Critchley This Assegai was due for sale as you say, but was withdrawn from sale at Spink's in November '94. The assegai has the following on it: To Lieutenant J R M Chard, VC, RE... In appreciation of the loyalty and friendship by his fellow officers with him at Rorke's Drift 22nd - 23rd January 1879" The reverse is inscribed XXIV 1879 surrounded by a wreath of immortelles placed by Queen Victoria on the 24ths Colours when they were eventually brought back to Britain. Hope this adds something to the story...