Anglo Zulu War Exhibition Autumn 2011

Hi Folks

Adrian Greaves and I are thinking of doing an exhibition in the Tenterden area in the autumn this year.

The purpose of this message is to find out the type of exhibits you would like to see and those who are interested in coming. The answer to this will then decide where the exhibition will be and for how long.

I can also let you know if we can cater for your wishes.

Regards

David

David. I thought the Zulu's had got you. Don't think about doing it. Its a must the last one was excellent. I will be first through the door. Great idea if there is anything we can do to help let me know.

This is from the last exhibition.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

I have lost a bit of weight since these were taken. lol

Hi Peter

Yes I know it has been a while but I have not been slacking - I have been reading and commenting on a couple of books that will soon be released.

As you may remember Adrian and I were off on a research trip straight after the last exhibition and it is always going on with new facts emerging.

I did point out to you that when we held the exhibition in Tenterden last year we could only exhibit a small part of the collection we can put our hands to - hence the question ' What would you like to see?'

Regards

David

Hi David good to see you back. keep us up-dated ref: new books.

Quote :

hence the question ' What would you like to see?'

I did not realise that was only a small part of the collection. For what its worth the more the better. For me its would be relics from the battlefields and items used by the officers and troops weapons letters and perosnal effects.

Yes i would go.

I think John sums it up. It all well and good reading and looking at photo,s. But you cannot beat seeing it for real. The photo of Admin holding the last order from , what a fantastic feeling that must of been. Of course it depends on how big the collection is and is the venue big enough to house the exhibition.

Yes I would go. The photo's of the last exhibition was a serious attraction for me. The problem is many of us live quite a long way from Kent so it would have to be more than an exhibition, for instance a talk from Dr Adrian Greaves and David Payne than a tour of the exhibition and a photo shoot with some of the items on display. There is talk of new book so the chance to purchase signed copies if they are by Dr Greaves and David Payne
Would again be a must for me. Then over to a local pub to have a general chat about the Anglo Zulu War. I'm fairly sure Admin could sort out a Reasonable rate with a local hotel if there was enough of us.

Totally Agree Chard. It would have to be worthwhile. Wouldn’t want to go all that way to just look at a display. Perhaps put an itinerary together and instead of an entrance fee. Fix an all-inclusive price. I think it would be a great idea.

Quote :

Fix an all-inclusive price.

Now that's a great idea. But meeting up after is a must. Beer and Banter.

I 'm very interested in this. Maybe David could put an itinerary together over the next couple of weeks and the cost of a ticket. Then run a poll to establish how many members would be interested in going. However we have over 400 members so it may have to run over a few weeks. Just a thought

I was just off to bed when i saw this thread.

Count me in. it already sounds like a good day out. The fact we know the artfacts are real and from the Zulu War makes it all the worthwhile.

Good Night Cocoa getting cold.

Hi All

Well my initial reaction from you is promising - I will have a word with Adrian to see what we can do on the talks to go with the exhibition.

I have already started the 'wants list' ie Major Dunbar 24th his War Shield and Knobkerrie picked up at RD the morning after the battle, Chief Mkhosana's knobkerrie taken at the time of Major Marter capturing the King. The swords for Lt Lomax 99th and Capt Moriarty 80th, Martinis with a selection of bayonets, various items picked up off of the battlefields, a belt stamped B co 24th Regt, Lobengula's axe.

Are any of you interested in necklaces and zulu beadwork? I am trying to determine whether you want the british side of the battle or the zulu side or a mixture.

Can I have some more suggestions of your wishes to see and we will see what we can source from our many contacts. As you can imagine it has to be retrieved from secure storage as it cannot be replaced.

Thanks for your thoughts so far

David

Not to interested in the bead work.all very much the same.For me is the same as the other weaopns, uniforms personal effects. Photographs. And off cause a talk on the Zulu war. Not to bothered about the hotel and drinks just a day out to remember will do me.

Im due for a visit to the UK at some stage this year, if the dates work out it would be fun to attend. and meet up with some of the forum members.

Regards

what!!! even CTSG.

And why not?

No reason. I was just saying and "CTSG"

This sounds like a great idea. I would like to see artifacts from the Zulu side as well as British. A face to face would also be appreciated to get to know as many members as possible. Since I live in the States, timing is everything. As soon as you have a good idea on a date(s) please let us know.

DSL

Hi Diancast

Which part od the USA are you from as we are in correspondence with a new museum in Canada and they want the whole exhibition and that is in 2012.

To all other interested fellow enthusiasts

Adrian and I are having a meet up later this week and we will put an agenda together for your consideration.

David

Havent spent time in the UK for many years and never ever been to Kent. Whats the logistics of getting from there to Breacon?

Regards

217 Miles. Mostly motorway.

Google maps type in.
Start ( Brecon) end (Tenterden Kent)

Driving directions to Tenterden, Kent, UK
Suggested routes
1. 4 hours 23 minsM4
237 mi
2. 5 hours 21 minsM1
289 mi

- more info »

Brecon, PowysUK

1. Head southeast on Bulwark/B4601 toward St Mary St
Continue to follow B4601
1.4 mi
2. At Fford Osgoi Aberhonddu, take the 2nd exit onto A40
Go through 1 roundabout
18.2 mi
3. Turn left onto Park Rd/A40
0.3 mi
4. Turn right onto Hereford Rd/A40
Continue to follow A40
0.2 mi
5. Turn left onto Cross St/A40
Continue to follow A40
Go through 1 roundabout
1.1 mi
6. Keep left at the fork
Go through 1 roundabout
8.5 mi
7. Keep right at the fork, follow signs for Newport/Casnewydd/A449 and merge onto A449
13.1 mi
8. Slight left to stay on A449
0.1 mi
9. Slight left to merge onto M4 toward London/Chepstow/Cas-gwent
Entering England
115 mi
10. Take the exit toward M3/M23
1.0 mi
11. Merge onto M25
42.3 mi
12. At junction 5, exit toward S'oaks/Hastings/A21
0.4 mi
13. Merge onto M25
0.7 mi
14. Continue onto A21
Go through 3 roundabouts
18.4 mi
15. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto A262 heading to Goudhurst/Horsmonden/B2162
4.3 mi
16. Turn right onto Glassenbury Rd/B2085
2.1 mi
17. Turn left onto Hartley Rd/A229
436 ft
18. Take the 1st right onto Swattenden Ln/B2086
Continue to follow B2086
6.0 mi
19. Turn left onto High St/A28
Continue to follow A28
3.0 mi

Tenterden, KentUK

Thanks guys
Glad you mentioned time, I had that pegged on SA driving conditions at around 3 hours.
Right all I need to know now is if its going to clash with the world cup in New Zealand.

Regards

Quote :

Right all I need to know now is if its going to clash with the world cup in New Zealand

Now there's a question. Do you save the colours. Or go to New Zealand.

Even if he don't save the colours he will still get a VC. So he may as well watch the football.

Hi Folks

This is just an idea

If you want to make a weekend of it we can meet up at say 10.30 at the museum. We can then give you a tour of the museum and explain about the items as we go. We can the break for lunch and continue in the afternoon. The evening we can do a talk possibly on the treasures of the Anglo Zulu War or Sister Janet Wells or tell us what you would like. If there are sufficient of you I can ask Ian Knight to come and give a talk or we can do another talk in the afternoon.

We then meet up on Sunday am and take you by coach to Pluckley for tombs and memorials, the we can go on to Knox Leet VC 's grave and Harford's grave - we are open to suggestions for other venues ie graves and memorials at Canterbury and Rochester.

There are plenty of B & B establishments in the area and retail opportunities for the ladies as well as National Trust places close by. I do appreciate not all ladies are interested in things Zulu.

Ie we can make it into a godd social event and you can meet up with the people behind the names.

I look forward to your comments.

Regards to all

David

Well David. You seemed to have put a lot of thought into this. This would be something that would generate a lot of interest. So to make it worth while I guess we need some show of interest from our members. To get the ball rolling I would defiantly attend. Have you got a number in mind of how many would need to attend to make it worth while.

Count me in. Sounds to good to be true. I suppose it's to early to talk cost's.

I have google Tenterden and it's surrounded by fields, would it not be possible to speak to someone who owns a field nearby with a view to allowing tents to be erected couldn't think of nothing better than sitting around a camp fire discussing out favourite subject especially after a day at the museum.

Just a thought

All depends when and cost. But yes it would be a great weekend. Bonus in the fact that Ian Knight may attend.

Hi All

The schedule will depend totally on the number that wish to come - the number of you that are interested will determine the size of the hall that we hire for the talks - we do not have a lecture hall ourselves but there is a selection of halls in Tenterden of different sizes and cost - as for camping the exact timing of the exhibition will control this - if the ground is firm in the late autumn I have the fields.

The cost will depend on numbers - the more there are of you the cheaper it becomes per person. Neither Adrian or I are looking to make a penny out of this, we are doing it because like you all, we are enthusiasts.

I have had a start to the items you want to see - can I have some more feedback on this part and then I can let you know whether it can be sourced.

Regards to all

David

I would like to do that, sounds fun. For me its only a question of timeing.

Impi...........................................Rugby not football.

Regards

David
Original documentation would do it for me, original reports, letters, orders to Durnford from Chelmsford would be awesum, including the letter admonishing him.

Regards

Dave. I'm sure what ever you could resouce would be acceptable.

Quote :

the treasures of the Anglo Zulu War or Sister Janet Wells or tell us what you would like. If there are sufficient of you I can ask Ian Knight to come and give a talk or we can do another talk in the afternoon.

Yes to all of the above. Have you not got one of Harness'e boots that he recovered many years later.

Quote :

Original documentation would do it for me, original reports, letters, orders to Durnford from Chelmsford would be awesum

Totally agree.

Camping Great Idea!!!!!

Hi Springbok

The orders for Durnford are under lock and key at the RE in Chatham.

Copies of the orders are in Adrian's book on Isandlwana.

Hi Chard1879

I assume you mean Harford's boot - unfortunately this was sent by Charlie Harford to the museum in Durban in December 1936 (three months before he died) I do not know where it is now or even if it is in the vaults at the Durban Museum.

Regards

David

I think it would be best if we left it up to you what should be on display. Just anything you can get your hands on.

Hi Old Historian

Have you been to one of our exhibitions in recent years ie whether it was at Woolwich, Brecon, Eastbourne, Pirbright or Tenterden - if you had you would appreciate our problem - ie space. For those of you who know the Tenterden Museum we could very easily use the whole building rather than the two thirds of the ground floor. This is why I am trying to find out what you would enjoy seeing and or handling so that every corner contains items on your wish list.

Regards

David

Medals.
Zulu weapons.
British weapon's ( that Gatling gun in Neils video) joking.
The sister Janet collection.
The Order sent by Col: Puliene.
British uniform
Zulu Warrior Dress.
Any kind of documents relating to the Zulu War. ( With a story behind it )
Maps.
Photographs.
Admin posted some video footage of isandlawana narrated by Dr Adrian Greaves. Somewhere to sit a see more videos.
Talks on the Zulu War by Ian Knight and Dr Adrian Greaves.
The chance to purchase signed books from both authors to commemorate the day.
The Axe that was used use to the heads of the messengers sent to England.
I would like to see some of the Zulu Bead Work.
I would also like to have the chance to handle a MH Rifle with Bayonet attached just to get the feel of what it was like to handle theses weapon.

Well that's about it. If anything else comes to mind I will let you know.

Camping great idea. A good chat around a fire and a good bottle of wine.

The graves visits seems to have been set-up. Looking forward to a great weekend.

If possible. Chards revolver. I know it's in Kent somewhere.

Hi Chelmsfordthescapegoat

Brilliant - I can do about 95% of that absolutely no trouble - I know who had a revolver like Chard's - if I remember correctly it was from the same batch of production. - I will see what I can do.

Martinis and bayonets are no problem.

Videos - there is about seven to eight hours of videos on the battlefields and me talking to Ian Knight on [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

All receipts on this site go to support the RD area especially the village that was the brain child of Adrian.

Keep the thoughts coming folks

Regards to all

David

CTSG. That will do nicley

I think Chards original revolver is in the Chatham or Rochester museum.

Hi 24th

I will try and track it down

Regards

David

24th. it must be in the Rochester museum.I went to the Chatham one at the curator or whatever. Didn't have a clue what i was talking about. Mind you that was a while ago.

David. I just hope you can pull this off. It really who be a great weekend. So come on chaps another 5% of ideas and we are there.

A bit concerned what CTSG wants to do with a fixed bayonet?

Hi All

The talks that we are thinking of are

Ian - Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana

Adrian - Treasures of the Zulu War and the writing of history.

Are there any other topics that you may want covered?

Regards

David

Extremely unfortunate that that does coincide with the world cup and I shall be in NZ.

I would like to hear Ian Knight's & Dr Adrian Greave's opinion of the TMFH.

Hi Chard1879

If you are a member of the AZWHS you will find two articles in issue no 29 of their journals one by Adrian and the other by Ian on this very topic.

Are you a member - if not go and have a look on [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Regards

David

David, I live near Houston, Texas and as it happens, I am scheduled to be in Calgary, Canada on the Tuesday after the event. It will be a closely timed trip, but I really want to make it. My wife and I will probably come early and visit Brecon and a few places before we get to the the event.

I very much appreciate the effort you all are going to and look forward to meeting everyone. I have been to Zululand three times now and the more I dig into it the more I find - the more I want to find. I especially am interested in the lesser known battles etc.

I would also like to know more about the "other ranks" who have graves all around but are only identified as "Here lies a brave British soldier", if they even have that. For instance, there are a couple of cairns at Melville and Coghill's grave that no one seems to know who the were.

Looking forward to it.

DSL

Hi DSL

We would be very pleased to see you here.

Adrian and I have done many trips to the battlefields - researching as we go - we have some theories as to the soldiers and the two/three cairns alongside Melville's and Coghill's grave - by the time you get here we should have it cracked and will be able to tell you our thoughts.

As for the lesser known battles I have been previewing a book which will meet your wishes only two months back - it may even be in print before you get here - watch this space!

Regards

David