Souvenir Bible, Ladies of Natal ?

Posts : 629 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 43

Were these Bibles only presented to the defenders of the mission station at Rorkes Drift? I have only see a few, all inscribed with an RD defendeds name!
Never seen one, with the name of someone who hadn't fought at RD. if they had there must be hundreds lying around? It makes sense that only the defenders received a Bible, as they were rhe saviours of Natal. Bibles presented by the Ladies of Natal! If you get my drift! Anyway something to considered !! I bloody hate sand! agree

Posts : 447 Join date : 2013-05-07 Location : Brecon

Not wishing to open that long discussion already closed, I believe that the only bibles that were actually formally presented were those to members of the 2nd Battalion present Rorke's Drift still in Natal in October 1879 to January 1880. [The Mayor of Durban's address is dated January 1880, just before 2nd Battalion sailed for Gibraltar].

The bibles for those who had returned to UK (departed Port Natal 27 August 1879) , i.e. members of 1st Battalion, those hospitalised from 2nd Battalion, were probably sent to UK in bulk for distribution by the orderly room 1st Battalion - there is no evidence to indicate whether they were named or not.