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TREASURES OF THE ZULU WAR EXHIBITION at Easter
 From the 27th March 2010 through to the 11th April Tenterden Museum in Kent, will be exhibiting over 200 recently acquired rare Zulu artefacts, many seized from the Zulu king and his chiefs, following his capture by the British in 1879. The exhibition will consist of Zulu beadwork, ornaments and necklaces, knobkerries, carved sticks, assegais, axes and drug artefacts, together with numerous British army artefacts recovered following the Zulu War. A number of original oil paintings depicting the Zulu War will also be displayed.
This is the first occasion these artefacts will be shown to the public and this is an opportunity not to be missed. The collection is sheduled to be taken to America and Canada during 2011 .
Entrance to the exhibition will be free to members in possession of their membership cards. If you have misplaced yours, now is the time to let me know.
The entrance fee to this unique exhibition for members' guests accompanying members will be a nominal £1. A catalogue detailing the exhibits will be available for £5. All profits from the exhibition will go to the Society sponsored Zulu Village at Rorke's Drift.
Experts in the subject will be in attendance throught the exhibition.
Tenterden Museum is situated in the centre of the pretty market town of Tenterden on the A28. It has adequate car parking and many excellent restaurants and shops. (The postcode for car sat nav systems is TN30 6HN)
If you need further information, please call me on 01580-764189 or, preferably, e mail me via the Society web site. The Tenterden Museum web site can be accessed at www.tenterdenmuseum.co.uk.
Dr Adrian Greaves
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SONIA CLARKE
We were sorry to hear that Sonia Clarke died in September 2009 while on holiday in France with her husband. Mrs Clarke, whose professional career was in education, was the author of 'The Invasion of Zululand' (1979) and 'Zululand At War' (1984). Both books were based on important first-hand manuscripts in the library of Mr Harry Oppenheimer of the Anglo American diamond corporation, and Mrs Clarke edited and presented them with a degree of insight and scholarship which has made an enduring contribution to studies of the Anglo-Zulu War.
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Anglo Boer War Historical Society
The preparations for founding this society are now well under way and are being co-ordinated by Ray Heron at Spion Kop Lodge near Ladysmith. Ray owns this prestigeous lodge and he is a noted Boer War battlefield guide. Ray was a guest speaker in December 2009 at the International Guild of Battlefield Guides Annual Conference in London.
If you are interested in taking part in this venture, please contact Ray at
spionkop@futurenet.co.za
Ray's Lodge website can be found at http://www.spionkop.co.za.
Adrian Greaves
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HOLTS TOUR OF ZULULAND 2010
Holts, the world's leading battlefield tours experts, are offering an extensive 15-day tour of Zululand designed and accompanied throughout by Society Vice-President IAN KNIGHT. The tour departs on 13 April and visits ALL the principle sites of the war, including the Ultimatum Tree, Nyezane, Gingindlovu, Eshowe, Ulundi, Hlobane, Khambula, Ntombe, the spot where the Prince Imperial was killed, Isandwana and Rorke's Drift. It also visits King Shaka's Grave, Blood River/Ncome and numerous other sites along the way. For those of you who are fit enough there are opportunities to walk across the top of Hlobane Mountain and down the Fugitives' Trail. There are also opportunities to explore Zulu culture and the game reserve at Ithala. This is the most comprehensive tour of the sites available - for full details see http://www.holts.co.uk/2010/41_anglo_zulu_war.html
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The International Guild of Battlefield Guides.
 The seventh AGM and Conference of the Guild took place at the end of November at the prestigious Officers Mess, Woolwich. The theme this year was South Africa - with emphasis on both the Boer wars and Anglo Zulu wars.
Over 100 delegates plus their guests attended from around the world with a strong contingent representing South Africa - including the after dinner speaker for the event, Rob Gerrard FRGS from Isandlwana Lodge.
The three main guest speakers for the conference were all from the AZWHS, namely, Ian Knight who spoke on the causes of the Zulu war, Adrian Greaves on Zulu artefacts and their role in history, and Ray Heron on the battle of Spion Kop.
The AZWHS is now in the process of becoming affiliated with the Guild and further details will be published when this has occurred.
The Guild web site is www.gbg-international.com
Dr Adrian Greaves
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Society Degree Courses
If any member is considering taking one of the Society degree courses - there are still two vacancies for courses commencing between the 1st Jan and 31st March 2010
The degree prospectus is available on the Society web site at anglozuluwar.com
Further details can be obtained by contacting me at 01580-764189
Dr Adrian Greaves
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Letters of Lt Ronald Campbell - killed on Hlobane mountain.
As members may know, Lt. Campbell was Col. Wood's staff officer when he was killed on Hlobane. Much has been written about Campbell's death and burial, which was supervised by Col. Wood even though the burial party was under Zulu sniper fire.
Mrs Campbell visited the scene a year later accompanied by Empress Eugenie.
Not much is known about Lt Campbell's short time with Col. Wood but his personal diary, which covers the period from his arrival in Zululand until his tragic death, has just been discovered and the Society is now in the process of transcribing the details.
These will be published in the June 2010 Journal. The diary's details will shortly be available to any Society member wishing to research Campbell.
Dr Adrian Greaves
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DARATONGUS RATTRAYI
A new species of millipede has been discovered by Michelle Hamer in the Nkandla Forest in Zululand, south of Fugitives' Drift. Michelle has chosen to name the millipede Doratogonus Rattrayi in honour of David Rattray.
This honour is particularly fitting as David had a deep interest in entomology - he held an Honours degree in Entomology from the Univeristy of Natal, Pietermaritzburg. He would also have been particularly pleased that this new entomological discovery was in Nkandla - David spent much time over the years exploring Nkandla and the Mome Gorge where King Cetshwayo is buried.
Below is an extract from Michelle Hamer's paper regarding Doratogonus Rattrayi:-
Type material: Holotype: NMSA 21970, 1 male, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Nkandhla Forest, 28º43’38.592”S, 31º07’58.281”E, 1121 m asl, found in forest along dirt road, 19 November 2001, A. Armstrong & H. Murray. Paratypes: NMSA 21791, 1 male, 1 female, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Nkandhla Forest, 28º43’38.650”S, 31º08’00.155” E, 1121 m asl, 19 November 2001, A. Armstrong & H. Murray. NMSA 21792, 1 male, South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Nkandhla Forest, 28º44’44.639”S, 31º08’34.279”E, 1040 m asl, Forest, on trunk of Iphahla tree in forest, 21 November 2001, A. Armstrong & H. Murray.
Etymology: Named for David Rattray, world-renowned Ango-Zulu War historian, and promoter of the oral history tradition of the Zulu people, who through his story-telling inspired people of all ages and from all walks of life. Rattray was murdered at his home, Fugitive’s Drift, in January of 2007.
Diagnosis: Gonopods of D. rattrayi similar to D. avius Hamer, 2000 and D. major (Lawrence, 1965). These three species certainly closely related, sharing serrated process on the median margin of the anterior gonocoxal fold, dense, long setae covering distal region of the anterior gonocoxal fold, broad femoral process curved through 360º, and lamellate, folded proximal region of postfemoral process. In addition, all three species large-bodied, with yellow legs. Doratogonus rattrayi distinguished from other two species by serrated distal margin of femoral process, less curved postfemoral process, and longer, less curved apical, median spine on anterior gonocoxal fold.
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Royal Logistic Corps Museum
Dear Dr Greaves,
Could you please convey my thanks to all those involved in the loan of all the items used in the Zulu War exhibition here at the Royal Logistic Corps Museum? Although we do have a large collection it cannot possibly match the variety and breadth of your excellent Zulu War holdings. Your generosity allowed us to attract new audiences and provided a wonderful theme for the first half of 2009.
Andy Robertshaw
Curator/Manager The Royal Logistic corps Museum
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The Isandlwana 'button'.
Members who have seen this button as featured in the press today (16.6.09) with the story that it identifies a particular soldier, might like to see the following web site
http://www.colchestertreasurehunting.co.uk/militarynamedregiments.htm
To me, the button lauded by the press looks exactly like a RE button - which challenges the press story. Bear in mind, I am not an expert on buttons!!
Adrian Greaves
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'John Ross' Memorial
 On Saturday 2 May a memorial was unveiled on the previously unmarked grave of Charles Rawden Maclean in Southampton Old Cemetery. Maclean is known to history as 'John Ross' - in 1825 as a ten-year old boy ship's apprentice he was part of the first group of British adventurers to make contact with the Zulu kingdom. King Shaka was intrigued by his first meeting with a white child, and Maclean spent many months living at Shaka's royal homestead. In 1828 Maclean - still only twelve - walked 300 miles to Delagoa Bay and back to procure much needed medicines and supplies for the settlement. Although he left Natal shortly after, his story is widely remembered in South Africa - there is a statue of him in Durban, and in 1986 he was the subject of an SABC drama series 'John Ross; An African Adventure'. As an adult he remained a seafarer, settling in the Caribbean, where under his real name he became a vociferous opponant of slavery. At the end of his life he fell on hard times and in 1880 returned to England - sadly he died at sea, and was buried in an unmarked pauper's grave in Southampton. The new memorial was the initiative of Fraserburgh Heritage Centre in Scotland - where Maclean was born - and the Friends of Southampton Old Cemetery. The memorial was unveiled by the Mayor of Southampton, Brian Parnell, and guests included Ian Knight, who had supported the project, and Ian Rankin from Fraserburgh. A Scottish piper played a bagpipe lament and an escort was provided by Southampton Sea Scouts.
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Obituary
 Dave Smith was a founder of the Zulu Village at Rorke's Drift, along with his partner, Bobbie Welham, the village's Patron. Bobbie received the 2008 Mango Buthelezi Gold medal for service to the Zulu people and received her award at deepcut last year.
Dave was a dedicated collector of Zulu artefacts and he generously assisted us at all Society exhibitions. He and Bobbie recently spent time at the Zulu village and his parting is a sad loss to his family, his many friends in the UK and at Rorke's Drift.
His collection is now with the Society and a selection of these pieces will be displayed at future Society exhibitions.
Adrian Greaves
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The following message has been received from the curator at Eastbourne's Military Museum.
From the Curator
Eastbourne Military Museum
Sussex.
Dear Dr Greaves,
I would like to take this opportunity to let you know how popular the Zulu exhibition was at the Redoubt last year – it was noticeable how many of our visitors came especially for the exhibition. We have had our best visitor season for many years and I am confident that the Zulu exhibition was a massive contributing factor to this success.
Best wishes,
Fran
Fran Stovold
MUSEUMS' CURATOR
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130th Anniversary of of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift
 The 130th anniversary of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift was marked by events in both South Africa and the UK.
 In South Africa, an academic conference was held at Dundee, KZN, on 19 January, and was attended by internationally renowned speakers including Professor John Laband, Dr Steven Badsey and Dr Damian O’Conner. The conference was opened by Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi who gave a thoughtful speech outlining the need to remember the war, and be aware of its enduring consequences. He also praised the efforts of Anglo-Zulu War historians present and especially AZWHS gold medal winners John Laband and Ian Knight.
 On 22 January there was a commemoration on the battlefields. The Dundee chapter of the MOTHS – the SA ex-servicemen’s association – held a service at the 24th memorial and wreaths were laid by Lt. Col. Swift of the 2nd Royal Welsh (the old 24th) and by the 1879 Group. Members of the UK re-enactor group The Die-Hards were in attendance in period uniform. In the afternoon HM King Goodwill Zwelithini and Dr Mangosuthu Buthelezi addressed a large crowd, estimated at over 10,000, at the Zulu memorial. That same afternoon wreaths were laid at Rorke’s Drift.
In the UK, the 2009 AZWHS exhibition was opened on the 24th January at the Royal Logistical Corps Museum at Deepcut, Surrey. Ian Knight, fresh off the plane from South Africa! gave an enthusiastic audience, which included senior RLC officers, a talk on the early stages of the war, outlining the role of the Corps’ predecessors at Rorke’s Drift. The exhibition is open until July 4th, and Ian is expected to give another talk to coincide with the anniversary of the close of the campaign.
 On 26th January – the second anniversary of his death – a plaque was unveiled in memory of David Rattray at the Regimental Museum in Brecon. The ceremony was attended by David’s widow Nicky and his sons Andrew and Douglas, with many of David’s UK friends invited to the occasion. Dr Adrian Greaves was finally able to present Nicky Rattray and her family with the postumous Gold Prince Buthelezi medal for David Rattray.
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ZULU WAR PANEL EVENT AT THE NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM
As part of a weekend event on British military involvement in Africa, the National Army Museum in London is staging a discussion panel event on the evening of 10 April. The panel will be led by IAN KNIGHT, and will consist of Professor JOHN LABAND, archaeologist Dr TONY POLLARD (who conducted investigations of the Eshowe and Isandlwana sites in 2000), Dr SHELDON HALL (author of the book about the making of the film 'Zulu') and Lt. Col. MIKE SNOOK. A number of wide-ranging topics for discussion have been suggested, and it is hoped also to take questions from the audience. This is a rare opportunity to meet Prof Laband who is currently resident in Canada, and is coming to the UK for the event.
Attendence is by ticket - for further details go to http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/whatsOn/conferences/
Zulu War Authors Dr Adrian Greaves and Dr David Payne are unable to attend this panel event as they will be hosting the Society's 'Treasures of the Zulu War' exhibition in Kent.
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