Would you believe this is the grave of a Rorke’s Drift Defender

Posts : 1851 Join date : 2009-03-25

Would you believe this is the grave of a Rorke’s Drift Defender? Robert Alexander.
There is just no respect anymore, how can this be allowed surly the Military should make sure these graves are kept in good order to persevere our history. I doubt very much if any relatives are alive to look after it. Bloody House bricks keeping in up.

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I'm going to look for some more to see what condition there in.

Posts : 2583 Join date : 2009-04-24

24th This should cheer you up.

Take a look at these redications to the heros of Rorkes Drift.

(Scroll Down the page) You never know the grave you found might be next..

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Posts : 1851 Join date : 2009-03-25

Thanks for that, your right it does make me feel better. I’m glad something is being done. Do you know if anymore of these events are planned in the future?

Posts : 2583 Join date : 2009-04-24

Good question? Not sure.

Did you know there are three defenders in a cemetery in Ruddington, Nottingham? They are Tongue, Wood and Marshall. I think that’s the most in one cemetery.

By the way what was the location of the grave in the photo.

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 58 Location : UK

Is this another mystery? Does he have a surname or is it Robert Alexander. I have check the roll of Honour and I can’t find this chap on it. Or have I missed it.

These are all the Robert's

Cole, Robert. Private. 25B/1459, F Company
Jones, Robert. Private. 258/716, B Company, awarded Victoria Cross
Norris, Robert. Private. 25B/1257, B Company
Tongue, Robert. Private. 25B/1315, B Company
Miller, Robert. Corporal
Green, Robert S. Trooper

No Robert Alexander.....

Posts : 527 Join date : 2009-02-28

An exasperation of the truth. What is known as a Soldiers story. Told his family he was at Rorkes Drift, he might well have been, but not during the Battle. There was a lot of these stories being passed about, and there are probably many undiscovered head stones saying Hero of Rorkes Drift.

S.D

Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 58 Location : UK

Rorke’s Drift Defender? Robert Alexander. Here is a link to a Discussion relating to him started by Andy Lee.

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Posts : 3051 Join date : 2009-03-03 Location : Devon

Just me catching up again and posting what I know.

1195 Private R A Smyth

Grave, Anfield Cemetery, Liverpool, England

His grave records him as 'Rorke's Drift Hero'. He was not present during the Battle Of Rorke's Drift but served there before and after as a member of C Company 2/24th which had spent the day and night of the 22nd January with Chelmsford's column.

Posts : 527 Join date : 2009-02-28

So this gent, spent the night among the dead at Isandhlwana. Any other Information on this chap.

S.D

Guest

The Noble 24th by Norman Holme, adds some more information regarding Smythe, as he has him.

Isandlwana

Posts : 1851 Join date : 2009-03-25

Thanks Isandlwana.

From the Noble 24th Norman Holme. Page 177.3rd From Top.

"Smythe, Robert 1195 Private.
Served in C Company. Granted Good conduct pay at 1p per diem 13/2/1879, served in South Africa, Service continued in South Wales Borderers. 1/7/1881, South Africa Medal with clasp 1877-8-9; India General Service Medal 1854 with clasps Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-9 (Regimental Property)"

Posts : 1096 Join date : 2009-01-14 Location : East London

What is the noble 24th about. Is it discussing the Zulu War in general.

Guest

OH 2,

It is a book with information about the members of both 1st & 2nd Battalions 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot.

Much of it taken from surviving service records at Kew.

The text for the fallen officers of Isandlwana is a lift from MacKinnon & Shadbolt's South African Campaign of 1879.

Although the late Norman Holme is shown as the author, much of the service records research was conducted by the late Gordon Everson, for Holmes' original book The Silver Wreath.

The Noble 24th also includes information from F.W.D. Jackson's works, as well as survivors' narratives of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift, with one exception - John Chard - the narratives are from 24th men.

Apart from those officers who fought in other engagements suchas Lt's Browne & Sugden, much of the book's relates to Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift, for obvious reasons.

Isandlwana