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DateOriginal Topic
19th December 2001The Hospital
By Ian Essex
I have heard conflicting reports that the soldiers within the hospital either volunteered for this duty or where ordered to do it by Chard. Does anyone know which is correct?
Also, how high off the floor were the loopholes they made?
DateReplies
19th December 2001Lee Stevenson
Private's John Williams, Joseph Williams and William Horrigan were placed in the hospital by Gonville Bromhead. This is confirmed in a letter written by Bromhead on the 15th February 1879, and addressed to the Officer Commanding 2nd/24th Regt. The following is just an extract of the full statement;-

"......Private John Williams was posted by me together with Private Joseph Williams & Private William Horrigan 1/24th Regt. in a further room of the hospital..........

I have the honour to be Sir, Your most obedient servant, G Bromhead Lieut 2/24 Regt Commanding B Company 2/24 Regt"

The full statement later formed the basis for the VC submissions for Williams, Hitch, Allen, Hook, R Jones and W Jones.

It survives in the Public Record, Kew, London (ref. WO32/7390)
20th December 2001Roseanne Covey
Lee,

Regarding the letter of the 15th of February 1879. Does this include a report of the battle of Rorkes Drift by Bromhead? I think in Ian Knight's book "Nothing Remains But to Fight" the author mentioned Clery trying to get a report out of Bromhead and Bromhead completing it but no further comments about the report or quotes from it. I would enjoy reading Bromhead's version of the battle. Has anyone out there seen a copy of it? Would the Public Records Office have the report or is it at Brecon?

Roseanne
21st December 2001Lee Stevenson
Bromhead's letter of the 15th February 1879, appears to be the first official notification of the gallant conduct of; John Williams, F Hitch, AH Hook, WW Allen, R Jones and W Jones, and not a full account of the battle.

Elements of this letter formed the basis for the citations which accompanied their VCs.

I have not found any other account by Bromhead at the PRO and feel sure that if he had written anything further then it would surely have come to light by now.........??

Lee
28th December 2001Dale Jackson
I must say that in the movie Zulu, the did a wonderfu; portrayment of the hospital
9th January 2002Fred
Regsrding the records at the PRO, under what section are they found. I'm having a lot of trouble identifying where the records from the Zulu War are. Does anyone know where I can find the record of Chelmsfords court of enquiry after Isandhlwana?
9th January 2002Fred
Regsrding the records at the PRO, under what section are they found. I'm having a lot of trouble identifying where the records from the Zulu War are. Does anyone know where I can find the record of Chelmsfords court of enquiry after Isandhlwana?