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Date	Original Topic
2nd November 2003	Lt William Weallens By Steve Does anyone have any information or references to the career of Lt Weallens of the 1/24th? I have the references in "The Red Soldier"and the Noble 24th. He was a member of the Colour Party which presented the recovered colours to Queen Victoria and later became Adjutant . Is the location of his medals known? Grateful for all responses. Steve
Date	Replies
2nd November 2003	Martin Everett Dear Steve, I am not sure what further details you are seeking in addition to that shown in 'The Noble 24th'. I did compile this from his record in the National Archives at Kew - ref WO76/501. Weallens retired in 1910 as a brevet Colonel. He had two medals, the other was IGS 1895 (I think with clasps Punjab Frontier 1897-98 and Tirah 1897-98) He commanded 1st Bn Northamptonshire Regt. There could be further information filed under the Northamptonshire Regt at Kew. No idea where his medals are. Only one Colour was recovered - The Queen's 1/24th. The Regimental Colour 1/24th was safe at Helpmakaar. Both Colours of 2/24th were lost at Isandwana. The relics (one Colour pike and one crest) were presented to Queen Victoria by Maj C J Bromhead on 15 March 1881 (7 months later)
3rd November 2003	Steve Dear Martin Many thanks for your response, My interest in Weallens began because I have his copy of Historical Records of the 24th. I find him a tantalising figure, having been so close to the events at Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift but, by fate, just missing both by a whisker! He must have been heartily glad about that I suspect - particularly when he returns with Chelmsford and finds the awful results of the Zulu attack. I will certainly follow up your Kew references for which thanks. Did Bromhead present the relics to QV after she had granted the immortelles? I have a copy of the Graphic illustration of the colour party at Osborne on 28 July 1880 with Weallens offering up the recovered colour. Interesting that he should have been chosen for that honour - any clues as to why? Finally, does anyone know where I might track down The Uppingham School Magazines for 1879 from which Emery quotes the letters from Weallens in The Red Soldier? Steve