What was the distance?

Subject: What was the distance? Tue Jan 30, 2024 7:44 pm

Can someone tell me the distance between Rorke's drift and the Scottish mission Gordon Memorial

Subject: Re: What was the distance? Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:56 pm

Stefaan,

Mrs. Dalzell, the wife of the Reverend Dr. James Dalzell records in one of her letters published in the Aberdeen Journal that the Gordon Memorial Mission was twelve miles from Helpmekaar. Add to that the 10 to 12 miles, depending who you read, between Rorke’s Drift and Helpmekaar, the total is between 22 to 24 miles. Mrs. Dalzell notes that Brickhill, the interpreter, reached Gordon Memorial Station at 5:30pm.

JY

Subject: Re: What was the distance? Wed Jan 31, 2024 9:31 pm

Thank you very much. Very interesting. I read somewhere that the wife and children of the Rev. Otto Witt were send to Gordon Memorial and
that this was the Rev. Otto Witt's first destination after he left Rorke's Drift.

Subject: Re: What was the distance? Thu Feb 01, 2024 3:04 pm

Stefaan,

I’ll check on that, I know that Purvis’ wound necessitated an amputation. I will check Dr. Dalzell’s comments as he remained behind at his mission station, to keep eye on the situation.

JY

Subject: Re: What was the distance? Thu Feb 01, 2024 11:01 pm

Thanks John much appreciated!!

Subject: Re: What was the distance? Wed Feb 07, 2024 8:43 am

Stefaan,

According to one source, Witt rode to Msinga, but his family had already left prior to his arrival. That said Dr. Dalzell and another man remained at his mission, albeit in hiding. Dalzell makes no obvious reference to seeing Witt at his location on 22nd January, 1879 in his account published in the Aberdeen Journal 11th March, 1879.

Subject: Re: What was the distance? Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:45 am

Thanks for the info Johan.

Subject: Re: What was the distance? Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:46 am

*John