Captain Church

Posts : 627 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 46

A small extract from Colonel HAMILTON-BROWNE LOST LEGIONARY IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Can anyone explain what this is about. HAMILTON-BROWNE seems quite angry about something, which is connected to Durnford.
Is there any information on captain church and his evidence.

HAMILTON-BROWNE Writes

I was unaware, at the time, that Colonel Durnford, R.E., had, that morning, reached Isandlwana; he had some hundreds of natives and a rocket battery with him.

Those who want to know had better get the book Miss Colenso wrote in defence of Colonel Durnford, and if they study the evidences recapitulated in that book, especially that of Captain Church, they may find out. I am only writing of what I actually saw myself, and have no wish to throw mud at anyone.

After this sentence Durnford is not mentioned again.

sas1

Posts : 527 Join date : 2009-02-28

sas1.
I cannot find anything on a Captain Church, Are you sure you have the right name. I have been down lots of avenues with out success.
Could you just check to ensure it is as you say (Capt: Church)

S.D.

Posts : 627 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 46

S.D

Thanks for that, I will check to make sure. Will let you know Thursday, not in a position to check right now.

sas1

Posts : 3388 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

I can only find one officer called Church:

Hugh Backhouse Church, Major, 2/24th. He joined the 2nd Battalion from the depot on 13th January 1879, and served with it throughout.

I can find 10 other people with the surname Church, but none of them are listed as an Officer.

1879Graves

Posts : 1 Join date : 2010-03-28

Hugh Backhouse Church was born in Leitrim, Ireland, about 1842, and was assigned to the 24th Foot in 1863 as an instructor of musketry. He was a captain at by the time of the Zulu War in 1879. He retired from active duty with the rank of major by 1881, when he was living with his cousin at Brooks Mansion in Abergavenny. But, soon thereafter he and his wife joined the "English Colony" on Lake Conway, near Orlando, Florida. Here they were the organizers of an annual regatta until 1895, when the "Great Freeze" destroyed their citrus grove and forced them to return to Wales. Colonel [sic] Hugh Backhouse Church of Halidon House, Abergavenny, was listed as a magistrate for Monmouthshire as late as 1906, but I haven't traced him beyond that date.

Posts : 3388 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Hi wsmorganv

Welcome to the forum and

Great info on Church, well done Idea

Posts : 3388 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

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The Scotsman 08 April 1879

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Army and Navy Gazette 10 April 1909

Posts : 3388 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

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1901 Census

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Monmouthshire Burials 1909

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London Daily Chronicle - Monday 14 April 1879

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Above links in with this
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North Devon Advertiser - Friday 18 April 1879

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