RORKE'S DRIFT HEROES S.W. BORDERER VETERANS DINE AT ALDERSHOT

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RORKE'S DRIFT HEROES S.W. BORDERER VETERANS DINE AT ALDERSHOT

"On Saturday night at Aldershot. the thirtieth anniversary of the. 24th Regiment s famous fight at Rorke's Drift, the Veterans' Club of the South Wales Borderers held what is hoped to be their first annual dinner. The function was attended with every possible success, and was held at Oudenard Barracks, Aldershot, where the 2nd Battalion are stationed. In the regretted absence of General G. Paton, C.M.C, hon. colonel of the regiment, Colonel C. E. Curll, late lieutenant-colonel commanding the 2nd South Wales Borderers, occupied the chair and amongst the past and present officers who attended were Colonel J. H. Travers. Majors F. Bourne and Grant, Captains. G. Lawrence. D.S.O.. F. M. Gillespie. and R. F. Grosspearless, and Lieutenants D. G. John- son, M. T. Johnson. C. M. Tippetts, J. C. Comer, H. H. Hayes, A. H. J. Ellis, J. Brad- stock Fowler, Fitzpatrick Thomas, and H. Lloyd. The veterans present numbered forty officers and men, including Private Fred. Hitch, V.C., and Private John Williams, VC.( of Cwmbran, Monmouthshire, both of whom gained the Victoria Cross thirty years ago at Rorke's Drift. There were also present three Chelsea Hospital veterans-Sergeant Harris, who enlisted in 1858; Private Joe Green, who joined in 1859; and Sergeant Michael Wheaton, whose service dated from 1854, and who gained the Crimean Medal with four bars, the Indian Mutiny Medal!. the Turkish Medal, and the good conduct. medal. Other veterans present included Sergeant-Major R. W. Evans (the secretary of the club), Sergeant-major Gallagher, Sergeant G. Warner, who enlisted in 18i3 (who is 84 years of age, and was wounded in the thigh at Cliillianwallah in one of the (Sikh Wars), and Bandmaster A. R. V. Laverock, Scottish Rifles (an old 24th non- con.). while the serving members of the South Wales Borderers turned up fifty strong from the 2nd Battalion and nine from the 3rd Battalion. The 1st, Battalion, at Queita, India, sent a telegram wishing the men a happy reunion, and the depot and depot sergeants' mess at Brecon also wired best wishes for the success of the function, the wording being, "Our hearts beat in unison for the future success of the 24th Veterans' Dinner Club." After the toast of "The King," Sergeant- major Evans made a brief statement with reference to the club which had just been formed, and mentioned that Major Hicks. Shropshire Light Infantry, who was a, co!our-sergeant in the South Wales Borderers in 1885. had written regretting his absence. Major Hicks's grandfather commanded the 1st South Wales Borderers in India from 1810 to 1816. Colonel Curll proposed "The Veterans" in an inspiring speech, and Sergeant-major G. Webster replied. Sergeant-major J. Cook's speech in proposing The Regiment was read by Sergeant-major Gallagher, and replied to by Colonel Travers, while "The Committee" was given by the Chairman and acknowledged by Sergeant-major G. Raynor and the Hon. Treasurer (Major G. H. Grant). At a church parade on Sunday most of the veterans attended, and altogether the first annual reunion of the 24th Regiment was very successful. Amongst those who sent apologies for absence were Major-general G. Patton. C.M.G., General Sir F. Carrington, K.C.M.G., Colonels E. J. Bromhead, B. C. V. Frowe, and II. R. Farquhar. Majors A. W. Sugden, Purchas H. A. Woods;, and J. A. Hicks. Captain H. Younghusband. Mr. Burrows, and Mr. J. G. Grimwood, Aldershot."

Source: http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/page/view/3379360/ART90/Rorkes%20drift%20reunion

Guest

Looks like Hitch is seated fourth from the left.
interestingly the mascot is a donkey, anybody
spotted Williams ( Fielding ) Gallagher, evans..
is that Frank Bourne second row 7th in?

Les,

I take Sunday's events are playing havoc with your eyes the donkey is actually a wildebeest!

I'll agree with Fred Hitch & Frank Bourne though!

John Y.

Guest

Hiya JY, that made me laugh so much! as soon
as i read your comment i looked closer, and of
course the damn thing with its curly wig was
grinning at me!. Sunday..hic! has finally gone.

Posts : 747 Join date : 2009-10-18

Les I thought the same "Donkey"

I thought Jeremy Clarkson ?

Guest

Hiya mr greaves Very Happy

Yeah frank you
could'nt make jezza up at the mo!
whats the matter with him. oaf..

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