Time keeping at isandlwana

Subject: Time keeping at isandlwana Sat Mar 11, 2023 3:44 pm

Hi gents and ladies, how are we making timings for when durnford arrived in camp, and the first sighting of the zulus? Plus other time critical statements or movements, I would think that most if not all the enlisted men won’t have been able to afford a watch or some other timepiece, so that leaves the officers that are probably the only ones able to record or make a note of times, and why would they make a note of times considering in the early hours leading up to the battle it was just another day, which officers wore watches or carried a timepiece do we know who they were?

Subject: Re: Time keeping at isandlwana Sun Mar 12, 2023 8:20 am

Danny there at least 12 seperate timings given for Durnford arriving, they range from 8.30 to 11.

Grant 11.00
Johnson 11.00
Trainer between 10 and 10.30
Wilson 10.30 to 11.00
Henderson 11.00
Essex 10.00
Curling 10.00
Raw 9 to 10.00
Vause 10 to 11.00
Cochran 10.00 to 10.30
Davies 10.00
Stafford 8.30 to 9.00
Erskin 10 to 11.00
Smith Dorrien 8.00
Higginson 10.00

There are at least two more estimates, but looking at the departure time and the meeting of Chard Ive estimated it as around the 10.30 mark.

Again, as with all things iSandlwana, you pay your money and you take your choice.

Cheers

Subject: Re: Time keeping at isandlwana Mon Mar 13, 2023 7:31 am

Brickhill times Durnfords arrival at 10:30am and then mentions Raw and Roberts leave to northernmost point of the Ingutu at 11am.

Davies places Durnfords arrival at 10am. The rocket Battery survivors place their own arrival between 1045 and 11am staying only 15 minutes before departing.

From the time Durnford arrived in camp to the time he decides to sweep up these retiring Zulus, these departing from 11am onwards. I would place his arrival sometime between 10 and 10:15am and buy Frank time list above 10am is frequently mentioned that seems to be the best beat.

Subject: Re: Time keeping at isandlwana Sun Mar 19, 2023 6:21 am

Thanks for the answers gents, the discrepancies in the timings will no doubt always hamper being able to provide precise movements and whereabouts of individuals on the day

Subject: Re: Time keeping at isandlwana Sun Mar 19, 2023 11:15 am

Danny
I would agree with you it terms of establishing a definitive time but I would question if it is critical or not? The sequence of events on a time line produces a pretty good picture of progression. Keith Smith did a good job of that. I used his concept as a base to work from in building up my own trail of Durnford and the Rocket Battery.
I dont believe its important, unless you are an absolute purist, that Durnford arrived at 10.15 or 10.30. Events unfolded in a very discernible order that could fluctuate in a rhythm over that time.
Hope lifes good in Thailand.

Cheers

Frank

Subject: Re: Time keeping at isandlwana Tue Mar 21, 2023 7:41 am

I totally agree. Establishing the correct sequence of events rather than timings is key to understanding the battle.

Subject: Re: Time keeping at isandlwana Sat Mar 25, 2023 3:48 am

Hi Frank, thanks for your reply, yes, 15 minutes here or there probably isn’t overly important I like to try and establish who was where and at what time, this just helps me organise in my mind the flow of the battle, I’m probably like many others in that I use maps and accounts from people to get an idea of what was going on on that day.
Thailand is lovely thank you, lovely weather and great food

Subject: Re: Time keeping at isandlwana Sat Mar 25, 2023 9:20 am

Danny Ive sent you a pm.

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