No 295 David Jenkins

Subject: No 295 David Jenkins Mon Aug 14, 2023 12:37 pm

Hi All

For the record:

Weekly Mail, Saturday, March 22, 1879

Zululand January 28, 1879

Dear father - Just a few lines to let you know that I am one of the ten that escaped out of five companies. The remainder were cut to pieces-in fact, cut in bits - with these savages. About 15,000 of them came on the camp when the column was out. All in camp were killed - 492 - of our regiment and about 300 of different corps.. ho! I never saw such a sight.
Please to pray to God to continue to save my life. There are only 240 men remaining in our regiment. So no more. I shall write again soon, if alive.
Dear father, please go personally or write a letter to Isaac Lewis Pendre, Brecon and tell him that his son-in law, Sergeant Chambers, is killed; his son Thomas is alive, but still in hospital with fever. He had a very narrow escape. He crept on his hands and knees and came from hospital to the fort through all the firing.
Please give my love to all, and write soon.
Your affectionate son. D Jenkins

P's - I think we will go down to the Colony to get re-fitted, as we have lost everything.
No 295, David Jenkins, G Company, 1-24th regiment, Peitermaritzburg, Natal.

Posts : 1069 Join date : 2009-10-16

Morning All,
In the report it mentions a Thomas Lewis who is in Hospital. The only T Lewis 1/24 is No.678 Pvt. Thomas was attested 16 Nov 1875 age 20, he was ex-Miltia attesting for the Royal Cardigan Miltia 23 March 1872 age 19. Now there is a slight difference in age between the two attestion papers and place of birth. One gives Aberystwith Cardigan [Militia mother Mary Living here] his 1/24 papers state LLanduke Swansea, this gives us a DoB between 1853/1855. To 1/24 No.678 19 Nov 1875, to Cape 14 May 1876, arrives cape 10 june 1876, at Kingwilliamstown 8 Aug 1877 served Kaffir 77-8 and Zulu 79, 77/8/9 medal, Gosport 11 Dec 1879. 1881 census St Botolph Infantry Camp Colchester, born 1855 Cardigan age 26. Discharged Dublin about 19 Sept 1887 last date and place that appears on his papers.
There is no mention of him being in any Hospital during 1879. Very difficult to track him any further.
Rai KLH

Subject: Re: No 295 David Jenkins Tue Aug 22, 2023 8:49 am

Rai,

He is actually referring to Bombardier 458 Thomas Lewis, N/5 R.A.

JY

Posts : 1069 Join date : 2009-10-16

Subject: Re: No 295 David Jenkins Tue Aug 22, 2023 10:07 am

Rai,

I heard that Homer head slap all the way up here!

JY

Subject: Re: No 295 David Jenkins Fri Aug 25, 2023 12:18 pm

Eddie
The letter you quote from was first published on 21st March in the Western Mail. Jenkins wrote several letters expanding on the first. He was actually one of the 1st bn soldiers at Rorke's Drift, which he survived. All his letters, a photo, and newspaper reports giving his story appear in Studies in the Zulu War volume II. The circumstances of his inclusion in Lady Butler's painting of the Defence is also described. There is on the site a voluminous thread covering this man, whose presence at RD was initially contested by several vociferous opponents despite his being listed on the Rorke's Drift Rolls.

Subject: Re: No 295 David Jenkins Fri Aug 25, 2023 3:38 pm

Hi Julian

I was fully aware of the facts you mention and read the original threads on Jenkins which were very interesting, however I thought, having come across the letter again recently to post it in the thread "Zulu war eye witness accounts" were it and others should be. I am aware that there are other letters. thank you

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