Helpmekaar field hospital

Subject: Helpmekaar Field Hospital Mon Apr 13, 2015 2:09 am

Seems a good likeness to me Frank , these later posts regarding RD should be moved to another thread , as it will become confusing with these in the Helpmekaar Field Hospital thread ! .
90th Salute

Subject: Re: Helpmekaar field hospital Mon Apr 13, 2015 5:36 am

Franklin
Centre right.
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Ive just been trawling through my Helpmekaar photos and have to admit being stumped, I cant find a profile match for the original photo but still looking.

Posts : 922 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi Kenny/Frank,

Thanks, seems to tally.

regards

barry

Subject: Re: Helpmekaar field hospital Mon Apr 13, 2015 10:16 am

Hi Kenny
Try as I might I just cant conjure up a mountain/hill profile in the Helpmekaar area to match the profile in JohnY's original photo but the one Ive posted of RD taken very close to Fort Melvill does match very well.

Regards

Subject: Re: Helpmekaar field hospital Fri Apr 24, 2015 11:08 am

Kenny,

Here's a close-up from my photograph, and without a doubt that is Fort Bromhead, with part of hospital still standing.

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Close-up of Fort Bromhead.
John Young Collection.

John Y.

Posts : 558 Join date : 2012-05-05

Wasn't RD renamed to Fort Bromhead ?

Subject: Helpmekaar Field Hospital Sat Apr 25, 2015 2:38 am

Ulundi
I dont think RD was officially renamed Ft Bromhead , although , I believe it was sometimes known as such .
90th.

Posts : 558 Join date : 2012-05-05

Looking at JY photo, the building seems to on a hill, when of course RD was build on low ground near the river.

Subject: Re: Helpmekaar field hospital Sat Apr 25, 2015 8:41 am

Ulundi,

I take it from that remark you haven't been there?

John Y.

Subject: Re: Helpmekaar field hospital Sat Apr 25, 2015 9:16 am

Ulundi
Maybe these two photos will help you to orientate the various locations.
Standing next to Fort Melvill the actual drift is dead ahead, there is a large circular thatched roof that marks the RD hotel. That is the original drift position. The Mission is of to the right.
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The concrete bridge ( positioned I believe by amongst others John Young ) leads to iSandlwana which is on the skyline left of centre.
Fort Northampton is over the bridge to the left, the pont site is also just of picture to the left.

This is looking more to the right, in the centre on the skyline is the mission/Fort Bromhead location.
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The rocks in the foreground are I believe the area that the stonemasons were working in on the original photo posted by JY

Hope that helps.

Posts : 558 Join date : 2012-05-05

Thanks Springbok...

I just thought in this link, the image supplied by JY, is Fort Bromhead. But it's looks like a Hugh construction.
http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/vc/bromhead.htm

Posts : 405 Join date : 2013-05-07 Location : Brecon

JY,

The tree on the right of the photo strongly suggests RD (i.e. Fort Bromhead).

Posts : 922 Join date : 2011-10-21 Location : Algoa Bay

Hi All,
The nickname Fort Bromhead was used post the RD battle when additional stone brestworks were constructed to further fortify Rorke's Drift. I will however post a picture shortly which shows the extensive nature of stone walling ( cattle kraal etc) PRIOR to the RD battle. Indeed, in addition, mealie sacks , biscuit boxes etc were used to construct the makeshift parapets, as well as wagons drawn up to close gaps in the defences , all of which were used successfully on 23/01/1879.

regards

barry

Posts : 558 Join date : 2012-05-05

Thanks Barry, looking forward to photo. agree