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I have just come across the following dated Saturday, January 2, 2010
RECIPIENT OF VICTORIA CROSS MAJOR GONVILLE BROMHEAD FINALLY DOWN IN INDIA

Hero of Rorke’s Drift, Major Gonville Bromhead, VC of the 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment (later South Wales Borderers) might have never imagined during his life span that one day his Memorial at grave in "The New Cantonment Cemetery, Allahabad, India" would be left broken on the earth surrounded by animal waste. This is what the beautifully sculpted historical monument stands today at Allahabad completely in a bizarre condition. To all, it gives a feeling of shame after visiting this site; one may also think on the fate of a gallantry soldier sacrificing his life for the honour and pride of the nation. That one day, the same nation would put your honour in the dust. Major Gonville Bromhead was not a politician rather a true patriot who obeyed the will of the nation in the highest tradition. A true soldier of the great Army, for whose deeds, the entire nation owes a lot.

Mate. You know what I say “Dig in up and bring him home”

Just noticed you have changed your Avatar (Nice One)

1879graves. Thanks for posting this on the forum.

Before:

Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, Commanding Officer, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot – Bromhead came from a distinguished military family – his grandfather had fought the French at Waterloo. He was 33 years old at the time of Rorke’s Drift, although he had purchased his commission as a 2nd lieutenant in 1867. The reason for his slow promotion was likely the fact that he was profoundly deaf (which was not depicted in the movie Zulu). Bromhead was promoted to brevet major after the battle. He later served in India, also participating in the 3rd Anglo-Burmese War of 1885-1886. He died of typhoid fever on February 9, 1892 at the age of 46; he is buried in the north Indian city of Allahabad.

OldH. I agree with you totally.

1879Graves. Out of courtesy would you mind posting this on the RDVC. After all we are all interested in the Zulu War of 1879. And articles such as these must be highlighted.

Regards

Pete.

Admin/ Graves what a great idea. I would go with that.

G

Was this vandalism? Or as in been neglected. Either way it’s a shame to see the grave in this state. If it was vandalism as anyone been arrested.

I have posted the above on RDVC forum

Hi Mr Greaves
I thought it was time to change the Avatar :lol!:

Love it. ( Guess what. I might change mine) Anyway its a shame, I think Mr G, makes a good point. Bring Bromhead back to England. Where he belongs.

Vandals desecrate 14 missionaries’ graves 26 January 2010

Sadly its not just Bromhead’s Grave

VIOLATED: Vandalised graves in the Norwegian Cemetery near Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal. PHOTO: Amafa

Vandals have destroyed 14 graves at the Norwegian Cemetery near the historic town of Eshowe on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.
The chief executive of the province’s heritage body, Amafa, Barry Marshall, condemned the destruction of the graves of missionaries and other Norwegians who came to the province in the 1850s.
Stone crosses and headstones have been dislodged and left lying alongside and on top of the graves.
“It is inexplicable why anyone would want to damage these graves, which are mainly those of missionaries and other Norwegians who first came to Zululand – by permission of the Zulu King Mpande – in the early 1850s,” he said.
According to Marshall, Reverend Ommund Oftebro and the Norwegian missionary-settlers established the KwaMondi Mission in 1860, but all that remains of the original site is the cemetery, which is adjacent to the British fort besieged by the Zulus during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.
“These places are an important part of the history of the town and its visitor attractions,”
The area is frequented by tourists. “We deplore the vandalising of the province’s heritage and we are restoring the graves,” he said.

For God sake. What is this epidemic!!! People should just leave things alone

Well said old H. I suppose it would be near on impossible, to organise rededications in foreign countries.

It’s not just contained in these countries, and it seems to be worldwide. My local cemetery has been vandalised beyond repair. Most of the head stones have been pushed over. It’s a bloody disgrace.

I’m going to have a couple of claymore’s strapped to my headstone.


sas1

Bromhead: "Looks bad in the newspapers and upsets forum members at their breakfast." (To Right it doe's)

hi sas1 .
Like it , :lol!: , Is it possible you can send a couple to Oz . With the state of our defence force I"m not sure
they can spare any. :lol!:
cheers 90th.

Posted on the RDVC. Graves go for it you deserve some recognition.

"Hi there,

Jonathon Owen of the Independent on Sunday has contacted me, as he wants to do a story on this.

Could Graves1879 contact him ASAP on the following:

Jonathan Owen
Home newsdesk
Independent on Sunday
Direct line: 0207 005 2613

j.owen@independent.co.uk

ATB,

Peter"

I don't normally agree with CTSG. But on this I do. Go for it 1879Graves. Or i'll find you and kick your ass. And I can. (Trained)

sas1

hi ctsg.
I saw that on the RDVC forum , Should become very interesting , I"m sure " Graves " will keep us informed .
cheers 90th.

1879Graves. Don’t forget to mention this forum. And good luck.

"Allahabad, India" would be left broken on the earth surrounded by animal waste."

I wonder if it could have been knock over by an animal.

Hi All

I have contacted Mr Jonathan Owen of the Independent on Sunday and passed on the Source of the information in India.

Gravestone and their inscriptions are a wonderful source of information for both the local historian and for the genealogist. In the case of Bromhead’s grave, there is nothing to say it was damaged deliberately. Hopefully 1879graves may receive further information.

If only we knew how to contact Michael Caine the actor. I sure he would do something about this. Maybe campaign for a rededication. Anyone got his number.

I879Graves / Dave. I have spent the last couple of hours posting the topic on various Michael Caine websites. Hopefully this may get someone's attention who can pull a few strings.

Fingers crossed. Would be great if Michael Caine got involved.

Hi Dave

What a great idea and lets hope Admin pulls it off.

This will be a join effort hopefully, all on the forum will do there bit. But if it wasn't for 1879Graves none of us would have known about it. Hopefully if we can get enought people interested something may get done. Let's hope the media keeps intouch with Graves.

The story has been published in today's Independent on Sunday page 23

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/rorkes-drift-heros-grave-lies-in-ruins-1884349.html

Nice one 1879Graves. I see Admin has left a comment on the story inquiestion . Click on 1879Graves link to the independant and view all comments.

1879Graves. Weldone for bringing this to the pubic notice.