The lost diary of Pvt James Owen

Posts : 2 Join date : 2024-07-24

Hi guys

I've just read with interest an old thread on Pte 25B/963 David Lewis (James Owen) and speculation over whether or not he was a defender at Rorke's Drift. I gather it is now generally accepted that he was.

Many years ago I spoke with relatives of James Owen (his real name) who disclosed a few facts about him that probably aren't widely known.

He was born at Rhiwgoch in the village of Llanboidy in 1851 (close to the Carms/Pembs border) and educated by the monks of nearby Whitland Abbey.

Consequently, he must have been one of the few enlisted men at Rorke's Drift who could read and write to an excellent standard.

Owen had kept a diary of his Zulu War experience which - given his level of literacy - and the fact it was written from the unique perspective of an enlisted man (don't all surviving RD accounts come from officers?) would now be invaluable to Zulu war researchers.

Unfortunately, following his death in 1938, this diary was read by a maiden aunt who - horrified at Owen's apparent criticisms of certain British officers at Rorke's Drift - was said to have flung it on to a bonfire in the back garden.

Relating the tale many decades on, an ancestor of Pvt Owen was still barely able to conceal his fury.

"If I'd gotten my hands on her I'd have bloody strangled the woman!" was one of his more repeatable remarks!

Subject: The Lost Diary of Pvt James Owen Tue Jul 30, 2024 12:35 pm

Hi Miklew
There has been a revised Edition of ' Rorke's Drift By Those Who Were There ' by Lee Stevenson , Ian Knight and the Late Alan Baynham - Jones ,recently released , this new edition is over two volumes each volume is 266 pages , not only officers left accounts many enlisted men also did so . Such a shame that James Owen's aka David Lewis Diary was burnt before it could see the light of day .
90th Sad

Subject: Re: The lost diary of Pvt James Owen Sat Aug 03, 2024 9:20 am

I had a similar experience with a female acquaintance who bought a framed photo of a soldier because she wanted the frame. Behind the photo she found a map of S Africa with the soldier's route marked on it. She kept the frame and gave me the map because she thought I would find it interesting. When I asked where the photo was, she said she'd thrown it away because she didn't think it would be of interest...
Ho hum.

» Pte 25B/963 David Lewis (James Owen)
» Redeadication to Rorke's Drift Defender James Owen (Pte David Lewis)
» 12th October 2014. Redication to Rorkes Drift Defender James Owen (Alias) Pte David Lewis. 2nd / 24th Regiment of Foot