| Date | Original Topic |
| 6th June 2001 | Bromhead Deaf?
By eric mcgath
hi i read on this internet site that gonville bromhead was really close to being deaf and that when spalding asked him if he wanted to go to rokes drift Bromhead replied," sounds very good" mistaking rorkes drift for pork ribs please tell me if this is true or not!
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| Date | Replies |
| 6th June 2001 | Roseanne Covey
The website Eric refers to contains a chapter from Peter Ho Davies' book "The Ugliest House in the World" about a fictionalized dinner with Chard, Bromhead and several other officers a few months after the battle of Rorkes Drift. However, I wonder if Bromhead's deafness stemmed from childhood or could the impairment have been service related. Does anyone know? |
| 7th June 2001 | John Young
Apparently Gonville Bromhead's deafness was apparent prior to the action at Rorke's Drift. Allegedly that is why 'B' Company were left behind with the less than arduous task of protecting the supply depot at Rorke's Drift.
I would suggest the cacophony of the action did little for his hearing.
Latter photographs of Bromhead, taken in India & Burma in the 1880's appear to show him quite hunched in the shoulders, with one ear inclined forward - I suggest that maybe he is favouring his 'good ear'.
John Young |
| 8th June 2001 | eric mcgath
i know it was a story but i wanted to know if that was a true story or not thanky |
| 11th June 2001 | Martin Everett
General Wolseley who was reported to have mentioned Bromhead's deafness - The Gneral was of the old school. He was very anti officers being given gallantry awards for 'just doing their job'. I suspect that most infantry officers were deaf in those days as they were given no protection for their ears. If you were a 'high flyer' as an infantry officer you were appointed Adjutant or Instructor of Musketry of your battalion. Bromhead did well on two courses at Hythe (School of Musketry) and was appointed Intrcutor of Musketry of his battalion. He was not the 'duller' that most people seem to want to make him out to be. |
| 12th June 2001 | eric mcgath
i am getting mad that nosebodys is answering my question. PLEASE ANSWER MYY QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!HOW HARD IS IT TOO ANSWER MY QUESTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| 13th June 2001 | John Young
Eric,
I'll put out of your agony, and without even see the piece to which you refer, I would conclude it is a work of FICTION. As Roseanne in her answer has already pointed out.
John |
| 13th June 2001 | eric mcgath
thanky for ansering my guestion |
| 13th June 2001 | anonymous
eric-u have to be dumbest person i know
1. u cant spell anything
2. Like 5 peeps answered your question(or guestion if u will) before the last one john did
3. u had a stupid comment on the guestbook
The only thing i have left to say is stupid people shouldnt breed!! |
| 14th June 2001 | erics dad (jim mcgath)
listen you punk kid if you ever talk to my son that way again i will beat the living
@#$% out of you!!!! My son had a question and you should not make fun of him he is only 8 years old so i hope you feel bad silverstone by the way keep the good work alan and peter! |
| 15th June 2001 | Peter Critchley
Calm down.
You're in the right, but your style is not. Jim, please take care not to incite further argument.
If he is a "punk-kid", it's not worth the effort. I believe I know who he is, and will be taking appropriate actions. To be fair, Eric was hardly restrained in his postings, which I would ask you to check in future.
This forum is not a place for abuse and insult - certainly not a place for threats of violence.
Please bear this in mind in future.
Webmaster.
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