"Death of the gallant Durnford." Topic
6 Posts
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| ochoin | 26 Mar 2021 1:46 a.m. PST |
Colonel Durnford died at Islandlwana – exactly how, we'll never know.
Given that all of those who escaped were on horse back, Durnford must have had a chance but possibly chose to die with honour. url=https://postimg.cc/JHcnDXQJ]
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| Artilleryman | 26 Mar 2021 2:22 a.m. PST |
I do not know if Durnford actually said it or not, but as played by Burt Lancaster in 'Zulu Dawn', they are classic 'last words'. 'Please tell the bishop's daughter that I was obliged to remain with my infantry'. 'Died with honour' gets my vote. |
| Choctaw | 26 Mar 2021 7:05 a.m. PST |
Running from a fight may have been a very difficult thing for a Victorian-era professional soldier to do. |
| Dn Jackson | 27 Mar 2021 4:17 a.m. PST |
I think that dyeing with honor was a Victorian gentleman thing, soldier or not. Read about the men during the sinking of the Titanic. |
Col Durnford  | 27 Mar 2021 6:49 a.m. PST |
I'm not sure it is not still alive. If your unit is about to be wiped out, you don't call for a helicopter to evacuate yourself. I'm currently reading "Sacrifice on the Steppes" about the Italian retreat from Stalingrad, there were multiple offers to fly out top Italian commanders and in most cases they refused and placed one of their wounded comrades in their seat. |
 deadhead | 27 Mar 2021 3:41 p.m. PST |
The trick is to seize the colours and ride for the river as fast as you can. OK, you may not make it, but you are in with a chance and you will get the VC as some consolation. Now they were ordered to do so, but it did raise a few objections in the Horse Guards when the awards were announced. Officers do generally stay with their men when the chips are down. Aussie general, in Singapore, did later salvage his reputation, even though leaving without orders. MacArthur was at least ordered to leave Bataan. Still went down badly at the time |
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