Lance Corporal Mooney, RD Defender.

On the 24th Regiments march through Newport and South Wales in July 1897 an article appeared in the Evening Express, Saturday 10th July 1897.
In it, it covers the wonderful welcome and reception by the town, etc.
It also lists the officers present and who was in attendance, and continues to say:

It is rumoured very freely about the town that the contingent had three Rorke's Drift men amongst it's Company, and eagerly were they looked for, but in vain. Lance Corporal Mooney got his discharge some time ago', Lance Corporal Adams was left behind at Aldershot, in company with 86 other men, and Lance Corporal Bridgeman though having seen service in the Zulu war, is not a Rorke's Drift survivor.

Questions:

1. The author has stated that L/Cpl Bridgeman was not a Rorke's Drift survivor. What was the importance of stating his name in this context?

2. Where did L/Cpl Bridgeman serve in the Zulu War?

3. It is stated that L/Cpl Adams Remained at Aldershot. We know a Pte Adams 25B/987 was a Rorkes Drift defender but he was KIA. Was there another Adams?

4. The author certainly knows who is who, and is probably being advised by a military press officer, on an important recruiting march, such as this.
With that said, he is refering to LCpl Mooney as being a Rorke's Drift defender, having stated that L/Cpl Bridgeman was not.
Is L/Cpl Mooney a Rorke's Drift defender? If not why not ? and where did he serve in the Anglo Zulu War?

It is a large article in this newspaper that covers in detail all in attendance, both civil and military. That would indicate quite clearly that he the author would have required the assistance of a military press officer for the military aspects covered.

Eddie

I have just realised that this may link with Gardner1879's post 9:55am earlier today.

May he have been a forgotten patient?
Could he have also have been left off the original Roll of Defenders?
This author knew him to be a defender, and would have been assisted by a military advisor to list all the names he does in the article.

I stated that this may have been linked to another post above, but it is a different person due to the 17th Lancers being reinforcements.

I have also amended my statement on Pte Adams, as he was KIA.

Eddie

Lance-Sergt Augustus Mooney 2/24th A coy was with Chelmsford's column and appointed sergt at RD on 23.1.1879 (Corp. James Mooney 1/24th arrived in SA on 1.3.1879.)

Private Albert Bridgeman 2/24th died 25/4/1931 aged 80 was with Chelmsford's column and arrived at Rorke’s Drift 23/1/1879.

Corp William Adams 2/24th D coy was with Chelmsford's column and arrived at Rorke’s Drift 23/1/1879.

This is another case of three men who had 'been' but not fought at RD.

Thank you Julian. Clearly explained as usual.
It appears that the press at the time believed that the battle of Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift was one of the same action. Maybe.

It was so believed at the time and for many years afterwards that the two were all part of a single action - which in a way I suppose they were.

Hi All,
Didn't find any of these men except, Albert Bridgeman who died 25 April 1931, he was buried in a family grave on 30 April 1931 Plumstead Cemetery Woolwich London, D/403. The grave is marked but does not mention him.
Rai Keyshamlighthorse.