2/24th Regimental Colours recovered in Paris

I seem to remember reading something about this somewhere else on the forum but can't find it so here it is

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Kerry News - Friday 12 October 1894

Kate,

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

JY

Dear John.

Many people on the this forum spend many hours searching for fake news like President Trump

Two items:

(1) Heatherlands, Parkstone,
Dorset, 19th April, 1881

Major-General
Sir John Cowell, K.C.B.,
Master of the Household


Sir - In compliance with your instructions I have the honour to submit the following particulars relating to the recovery of the Staff and Crown and Colour Case of the Colours of the 2nd battalion 24th Regiment, which were lost at the capture of the Camp at Isandhlwana, on the 22nd of January, 1879, and are now deposited at Windsor Castle.

The Staff was found by Lieutenant N. Sadlier, King's Dragoon Guards, in a Kraal, some two miles from the battle-field, on the 21st May, 1879, (when covering the Cavalry reconnaissance, in force, under Major (General F. Marshall, C.M.G.,) and returned by him to the regiment at Rorke's Drift the same day. The Kraal was unfortunately burnt before being fully searched.

The Crown was found by a wood-cutting party of the 2nd battalion 24th regiment, in the month of March, 1879, in the garden of a Farm situated on the Natal bank of the Buffalo, some four miles from Rorke's Drift, and about five miles from the battle-field.

The Crown may have been dropped there by a Zulu after the repulse at Rorke's Drift, as the Farm lay in the route taken by the Enemy, and was burnt by them that day.

The Colour Case was found by a detachment 2nd battalion 24th Regiment on the 23rd September, 1879, in the bed of the River Amanganyanna (Black Water), three-quarters of a mile from the battle-field, and at the point crossed by the fugitives.

This river was carefully searched until it joins the Buffalo three miles lower down, but without further success.

I would appear that the Crown and Colours had been removed from the Staff by someone accustomed to do so, as the articles were found separate, and no savage would understand how to unscrew the Crown from the Staff, and that found shews no sign of violent handling.

I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) C. J. BROMHEAD
Brevet Major, half-pay, 24th Regiment


(2) 2nd Battalion - Fake Colour

According to an Officer who was serving in the 2nd Battalion in 1894. In October 1894, a faked colour was received or purchased from the Marquis St. Georges in Paris. After much investigation it was decided that it had been worked for a Bazaar as a sample of good needlework. (Also reported in ‘The Sprig of Shillelagh’ dated 1895 the Regimental Journal of the Inniskillens). This can be confirmed by the Editor of the Regimental Journal, who was also serving in the 2nd Battalion, and a Battalion Order was published at the time stating that a Colour had been discovered in France which was claimed to have been one belonging to the 2nd Battalion lost at Isandhlwana, but upon investigation by the Officers detailed to examine it, it was proved beyond doubt that it was not the genuine one. This report was printed in Journal No. 5 and the Faked Regimental Colour is now on display in the Regimental Museum in Brecon.

Thanks for your help with this John
Perhaps that was the flag that was flying over Rorke's Drift as the South Wales Borderers sang Men of Harlech.

Kate,

“No comedians please.”

JY

John,

I was about to say it was a load of Brummie actors dressed up and with put on Welsh accents in the Drakensberg (not the Rorke's Drift). And the Union Flag flying there really belonged to Patrick Cosgrove - who decided to call himself Evan Jones. All fake news.

Kenny,

You’re preaching to the converted.

JY