TOPIC:

Paul

Thank you for showing your card collection. You might be interested to know that the one for Evans, Natal Mounted Rifles, was an error. Here is an extract from the official NMR history:
"Evans action was greatly applauded in Ladysmith. It is known that his name had been submitted for an award and so confident was the general feeling that he would be honoured with the Victoria Cross that a company of cigarette manufacturers actually had a card prepared, for packing in cigarette packets, depicting him as a VC hero. He was, however, decorated with the DCM."

I suspect that this failed VC recommendation contributed to the belief that Colonials were less favoured than Imperial soldiers when it came to awarding this decoration.

Evans later settled in New Zealand. During World War I, he commanded the 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade and was awarded the DSO. He died of wounds at Passchendaele on 13 October 1917.

Regards
Brett

Paul/Frank

Getting back to the monument shown on the postcard on Post #12568 ........

I do not have a photo of the Manchester Regiment monument at Caesar's camp, but I checked the Internet and this does indeed appear to be that monument.

Regards
Brett

Hello Brett,
Thats what I was thinking, Manchester Fort and Caesar's Camp often get overshadowed by the events at the other end of the ridge, yet the defence of their end was just as hard, moreover, these were local men who I have always held with the very highest regard since I was a small boy.
Kind regards Frank

Brett Hendey wrote: Paul/Frank

Getting back to the monument shown on the postcard on Post #12568 ........

I do not have a photo of the Manchester Regiment monument at Caesar's camp, but I checked the Internet and this does indeed appear to be that monument.

Regards
Brett

LOL Brett,
You beat me to it, but no, stop it, you will have Paul putting that particular card in the bin!
Frank

Brett Hendey wrote: Paul

Thank you for showing your card collection. You might be interested to know that the one for Evans, Natal Mounted Rifles, was an error. Here is an extract from the official NMR history:
"Evans action was greatly applauded in Ladysmith. It is known that his name had been submitted for an award and so confident was the general feeling that he would be honoured with the Victoria Cross that a company of cigarette manufacturers actually had a card prepared, for packing in cigarette packets, depicting him as a VC hero. He was, however, decorated with the DCM."

I suspect that this failed VC recommendation contributed to the belief that Colonials were less favoured than Imperial soldiers when it came to awarding this decoration.

Evans later settled in New Zealand. During World War I, he commanded the 3rd NZ Rifle Brigade and was awarded the DSO. He died of wounds at Passchendaele on 13 October 1917.

Regards
Brett

Don't throw it away Paul, I'll have it if you are unhappy with it!

Hello Iain,
From the Boer's point of view, the whole of the Platrand ridge was the key to Ladysmith, there were no reserves left, at their end of the ridge, the Manchesters held on until relief turned up many hours later, but, at the other end, it was a desparate fight to the finish, with the remaining available companies of the Devon's having to be marched up in foul weather and ordered to fix bayonets and "charge the devils out" by Ian Hamilton himself.
Regards Frank

iaindh wrote: Hi Paul,

I have to admit when I first saw the thread appear, it didnt appeal to me but when I decided to read through I found it very interesting! Moral? never judge a book by its cover

I also agree that the defence of Wagon hill was an epic and should have been separated from the defence of Ladysmith.

regards, Iain