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Date	Original Topic
22nd August 2003	Sladewalls equip. By Dave Chapman Thanks to those that replied to my request. I hate to ask but out of the two films zulu and zulu dawn which personal equipment is correct, i see that in both films they are different i prefer the equipment worn in zulu but i would like my figure to be historically correct which knowing my luck the equipment in zulu is probably wrong.Again any help will be appreciated
Date	Replies
22nd August 2003	Edward Garcia The pattern of equipment depicted in �Zulu Dawn� are actually pretty correct � although it appears a little on the flimsy side probably as the result of being made out to-thin leather. The equipment is �Zulu� looks to me to be of the 1882 or 1888 Slade Wallace pattern. The tunics worn by the 24th in Zulu Dawn are also pretty much of the correct pattern but also suffer from being made out of what looked to be thin, synthetic material. Those in Zulu appear to be made out of real military grade fabric but like the buff leather equipment are of the wrong pattern. Bromhead�s (Michael Caine) tunic looks to be of a c. 1900 pattern. Personally I have never understood why correct pattern uniforms were not supplied to the actors in the classic Zulu.
23rd August 2003	Dave Chapman Cheers edward, so basically the uniforms in zulu are totaly wrong best i start watching zulu dawn close up to he tv then to get some idea of the uniform and the valise equipment, shame really because i think the uniforms in zulu loo pretty good
23rd August 2003	Martin Everett Dear Dave, If you are looking for accurate details of the uniforms worn - then contact us [email protected]. The there is a book 'The Thin Red Line' which comes pretty close.
26th August 2003	Mike McCabe Some of the uniforms in Zulu are totally wrong, the best example being that of Lt Chard who wears a mixture of Full Dress ceremonial uniform and some 'made up' accoutrements. The depiction of him in Elizabeth Butler's painting, The Defence of Rorke's Drift, is much more accurate. In those days, RE officers wore a simplified five buttoned 'red serge frock', with much simplified collar (no gold braid, no embrodered grenade) and cuffs (blue serge, without braiding, rather than Garter Blue velvet) and a simple twisted cord replacing the more elaborate gold cord epaulettes. Plain bridle leather replaced the gold embroidered Russia Leather shoulder belt, waist belt and sword slings - not the whitened buff leather that Stanley Baker wore. The leather would be cut and stitched as required by unit harness-makers. Officers also usually discarded their sabretaches/sketching cases, and shoulder belts, adopting a leather holster for a revolver. The War Department specified a standard type of revolver and, in principle, undertook to supply ammunition that could be chambered and fired in it (and similar types) during operations. However, by 1879 this system of supply was not well established. Swords were also usually discarded, and stowed with baggage, though sometimes retained by mounted officers - the scabbard being integrated into the saddle harness.
19th May 2004	Adedayo Onayemi I will like to give a poem and it goes like this... I love to tell a story which I often told before how we faught for life and glory at the famous zulu war side by side we faught like comrade till our enemies were all died when my friend was shot and helpless he turn around and say Chorus... Oh give my love to mother she is the only one I adore, tell her she will never see her sunny smile any more say I died in action while fighting for the blacks I was ever a sailor boy beneth the union jack. At first I taught he was joking for he like a bit of fun when I saw my comrade kneeling at the barrel of his gun then I know he was in earnest for he never did give way shaking hand he said oh comrade best friend must part some day. Chorus... Take the ring of my finger and the locket of my neck as there is no time to stand or linger as I hope you don't forget when you reach the shore of England as I hope you be someday take the locket to my mother and my mother will obey. Chorus...