The Three Mason Connection.

Quite a few of those who served in the Anglo Zulu War 1879. We're in the Free Masons

Thought I would start with. "Major John Chard" names added should contain the indivuals lodge No and lodge location.

Lt. Chard VC 

The following extract is from the history of St George's Lodge No. 112, Exeter,     "A National Hero  When, on 3 May 1877, a 30-year-old army officer was initiated into the Lodge, no-one dreamed that two years later he would be acclaimed a national hero and be awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery in battle. The young Mason was John Rouse Marriott Chard who, from the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, was commissioned in the Royal Engineers in 1868. He served in the Zulu War and distinguished himself when, on 22-23 January 1879, he defended Rorke's Drift with a force of 120 men against some 3,000 Zulus. When the news reached England, the Lodge prepared an illuminated address of congratulations signed by all the members." 
This was presented to him at a Lodge of Emergency on 14 November 1879.
 

"On the 1st April 1874. Lt. Teignmouth Melville initiated into Glittering Star Lodge No. 322 I.C had like his fellow Officer and Brother Mason Lt. Coghill joined the popular Friendship Lodge as was traditional amongst the Officers and Gentlemen serving in Gibraltar at the time. Both men called off from Friendship Lodge on the 31st December 1874 prior to their departure from the Garrison. The Scottish Borderers headed for South Africa where on the 1st November 1876, Coghill became a joining member of Southern Cross Lodge No. 398 Scottish Constitution, and on joining he stated that his Mother Lodge was the Lodge of Friendship, Gibraltar.
 
Three years later, on the 22nd January 1879, the thin red line of the Scottish Borderers were no match for the thousands of well disciplined Zulu warriors who overwhelmed them at Isandhlwana. All the officers of the 24th and all but two of the men were killed. In what was later to be immortalized by the film ‘Zulu Dawn’, Lt. Coghill joined another officer who was trying to save the Queen’s Colours, that Officer was none other than his fellow Brother Lt. Melville. Zulu warriors relentlessly pursued the two Officers and whilst crossing the swollen Buffalo River, Lt. Coghill went to the rescue of his brother officer, who had lost his horse and was in mortal danger without heed to his own safety. His gallant effort proved futile as they were overtaken by their pursuers and after a short struggle both men were killed."
 

Hi Littlehand .
I think this may have been discussed on a Melvill & Coghill thread sometime back .
cheers 90th.