Wales: Campaign to improve Rorke's Drift hero's grave [1964 Movie Zulu Men of Harlech]

Wales Online ^ | June 29, 2014

[Tennessee Nana]

Well apparently the families travelled back and forth a few times..following the better weather and harvest during starving times..

In that final family who left County Down in 1861 and went to Ayrshire for 2, 3 years where the Dad worked in the iron mines, and then onto New Zealand, there were the blood of the Campbell’s, the Hunters and Irvines and the McClimonts..

Yes Campbells born in County Down, Ireland..

:)

and yes I have read where the families may have been in Ireland that long..back to the 17th century..

as for the first 2,3 older siblings of my grandfather, they were born in Dalry, Ayrshire and not County Down

And for more Ayrshire pride, that McClimont grandfather married a Harris ..

My Harris grandmother was born in NZ but her father was born in Irvine, Ayrshire and his Harris/Ewart parents were from Kilmarnock..

They lived in St Quivox and Riccarton and were coal miners for generations..

[Tennessee Nana]

The “hometown” area my grandfather’s parents went to for 2,3 years before they left for good to New Zealand was Dalry but the families came from that general area..

There are lots of McClimonts and McClymonts buried in the cemeteries near there dating from that time and earlier...

Plus the wife was an Irvine..

[the scotsman]

As a Brit, my favourite Caine roles will probably be slightly different to an American fan or a foreign Caine fan.

Bromhead in Zulu, obviously. Peachy. Harry Palmer. Steiner in The Eagle Has Landed. Caine’s two most Brit-iconic roles however are Charlie Croker and esp. Jack Carter.

[Tax-chick]

Or needlepoint.

[Tax-chick]

In 1996 that same 'copy' was found to be genuine as its metal content matched to all of the other contemporary VCs .

That's a neat story. Who owns it now?

[the scotsman]

Thanks for reply.

I was born and raised in Irvine, lol. Partly raised in Kilmarnock, living for a few years in Riccarton!. Educated partly in Kilmarnock as well.

Dad is from North Ayrshire, so I know Dalry very well. I live now in Ayr, and pass St Quivox all the time, still a lovely wee village literally now on the tip of north Ayr.

Mum is a Campbell as well.

[the scotsman]

You really trust me with a sharp object?.

LOL

[Tax-chick]

A tapestry needle is blunted ;-). Good thing, because my 2-year-old is always finding mine.

[centurion316]

In the mid eighties, I spent some time with the Royal Welch Fusiliers exchanging training techniques. They were in the field and after a day on the range with one of the companies, they took me took to the impromptu mess for a drink. They introduced me to their Colonel, “here’s our visiting Yank”. “David Bromhead” he said. The same, I asked? He confirmed that it was and that it ran in the family. He also personally knew every soldier in the battalion and knew many of their parents as well having been to their homes.

David de Gonville Bromhead was his full name.

[miss marmelstein]

I like Caine and I think he’s a wonderful actor but I never followed his career closely; I was more into Steve McQueen. I think my favorite role of his is still Zulu. He’s very handsome in that movie and he lost his looks pretty quickly.

[SES1066]

In 1996 that same 'copy' was found to be genuine as its metal content matched to all of the other contemporary VCs.
That's a neat story. Who owns it now?

After the discovery of its real worth, the Chard Victoria Cross was purchased by Michael Anthony Ashcroft, Baron Ashcroft, who already had the world's largest collection of VC medals. It is unclear if he has given or loaned the collection, but it is currently on display at the Imperial War Museum in London.

[Tax-chick]

Thanks! It would be fascinating to see them ... to learn the stories, not that the medals themselves are anything spectacular.

[publius911]

Pte Owen survived the battle and died in Swansea aged 87 in 1938 while living with his son in Kemble Street, Brynmill.
...the overgrown cemetery plot in South Wales...
His grave is now in Bethel Cemetery in the city’s Sketty area. Royal Marines bugler Sgt Tim Needham, who has worked to restore a number of graves of Rorke’s Drift survivors, wants Pte Owen’s last resting spot to be given greater attention.

This is a satisfying and rewarding way of learning geography; about out-of-the-way places worldwide.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Caine was a handsome devil in Zulu. And so what if Baker was a bit of a red, it was a great role.

[LS]

Thanks for the sources. Had not known of these.

[publius911]

Bookmark

[naturalman1975]

Thanks! It would be fascinating to see them ... to learn the stories, not that the medals themselves are anything spectacular.

It's an impressive gallery - and also hosts George Crosses.

There are some incredible stories. The one I found most interesting when I was last there was that of Flying Officer Lloyd Trigg VC DFC, of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

The standards for awarding the Victoria Cross require the recommendation of an officer and the testimony of people who witnessed the incident. The regulations are silent as to the nationality of the officer or witnesses - and FO Trigg's VC was recommended by the German Captain of the submarine he died attacking and sinking, and all of the witnesses were German sailors who survived the attack.

[Tax-chick]

Wow, amazing.

[LS]

Ok, picked up both books---had trouble with "How Can Man Die Better" as I ordered it, and then it was out, then I reordered---anyway started "Like Wolves on the Fold" and it is terrific. His sourcing is beyond impeachment.

Has he any plans to complete the trilogy with Ulundi?