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Date	Original Topic
18th February 2005	Lord Chelmsford By Matt Great site. I work in Chelmsford, Essex. I'm curious to know if other than holding the title, Lord Chelmsford had any other connections to the town?
Date	Replies
18th February 2005	John Young Matt, No the family had no connections with the town whatsoever when the title was created for the 1st Baron - the Lt-General's father. John Y.
18th February 2005	Martin Everett Matt, If there is a connection with AZW and Chelmsford, Essex is with FM Sir Evelyn Wood VC.
18th February 2005	Matt John I suspected as much! Thanks very much for the swift response. Regards Matt
18th February 2005	Matt "If there is a connection with AZW and Chelmsford, Essex is with FM Sir Evelyn Wood VC." Really? Didn't he escape from Isandlwana? There is a regimental museum in Chelmsford for the old Essex Regiment. I must pay it another visit.
18th February 2005	Martin Everett Matt, Sir Evelyn Wood was Honorary Colonel 2nd Volunteer Battalion The Essex Regt from 5 Dec 1879 - this battalion was later 5th Battalion in the new Territorial Force.
19th February 2005	Matt Martin Thanks for the reply. Regards Matt
20th February 2005	Julian whybra Matt Wood did not escape from Isandhlwana. He was not there. The Essex Regt Museum has nothing on the Zulu War (it's my local museum and Ian Hook an acquaintance). It has good colonial dis[plays; it could have a lot more out on the 1st Afghan War and it's just had THAT picture (Gandamack) returned to it, so it's worth a visit anyway.
21st February 2005	Matt Julian Cheers for the info. I really appreciate everyone's responses. Wood commanded the Left Flank Column, didn't he? And by all accounts made a rather better job of things than the ill-fated Chelmsford. *ahem* I was clearly mixing him up with someone else! ;-) I've seen the Gandamack picture. They also have a cannon from the Crimean War on the green outside if my memory serves me correctly.
21st February 2005	Matt Julian Cheers for the info. I really appreciate everyone's responses. Wood commanded the Left Flank Column, didn't he? And by all accounts made a rather better job of things than the ill-fated Chelmsford. *ahem* I was clearly mixing him up with someone else! ;-) I've seen the Gandamack picture. They also have a cannon from the Crimean War on the green outside if my memory serves me correctly.
21st February 2005	Matt Julian Cheers for the info. I really appreciate everyone's responses. Wood commanded the Left Flank Column, didn't he? And by all accounts made a rather better job of things than the ill-fated Chelmsford. *ahem* I was clearly mixing him up with someone else! ;-) I've seen the Gandamack picture. They also have a cannon from the Crimean War on the green outside if my memory serves me correctly.
25th February 2005	Tony Jones Dear All, The Basildon 'Yellow Advertizer',that features an article about the current display at the Purfleet Military and Heritage Centre,claims an 'Essex connection' with Sir Evelyn Wood VC because he resided in Belhus,Essex.Is this correct(along with my spelling of the town).Perhaps some of the more seasoned contributors to the discussion forum could confirm this.Tony.
26th February 2005	John Young Tony, Henry Evelyn Wood was born in Cressing, near Braintree, Essex. At the time of the Anglo-Zulu War his family lived at Belhus, there's a country park there now. 'The Graphic' has an engraving depicting his return in 1879. He maintained his links with the county, later buying a house in Sheering Road, Harlow. (Now designated as Old Harlow.) It was in that house that he died in 1919. John Y.
27th February 2005	Tony Jones. Cheers John, thanks for the info on Sir Evelyn Wood VC.A most useful piece of information for a 'second-hand Essex boy',via Manchester.Harlow's not too far so i might pop up there to take a look.Cheers. Tony.
27th February 2005	John Young Tony, The house is situated at the junction with Sheering Road and Churchgate Street, if you do there. I took the family of Alexander Walkinshaw D.C.M., Wood's batman to see it a couple of years back. In the church of St. Mary & St Hugh, with St. John, which is situated just up the hill from the house, is a simple memorial to Wood in the transcept from his family. Also worth a look is our War Memorial, in the churchyard, which has the name of Lt.Col. J. N. Marshall V.C. inscribed upon it. Marshall was posthumously awarded the V.C. for his actions of 4th November, 1918, a week before the end of the Great War. John Y.
27th February 2005	Tony Jones. Cheers John, sounds well worth the visit,it's next on my list after i have visited the Purfleet event.My missus,is an 'Essex Lass' so she can be my tour guide.Thanks. Tony.