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Date	Original Topic
26th March 2004	Colonel Glyn's Report By John Hand I have read Colonel Glyn's report concerning the actions of Lt. Melville and Lt Coghill. He starts his report by stating.....'From all the information I have been able to obtain, it would appear that when the enemy had got into the camp and when there was no longer any hope left of saving it, the Adjudant of 1/24th Regiment Lt.Melville departed the camp on horseback carrying the colour with him in the hope of being able to save it'. Glyn then describes the alleged heroism of both Melville and Coghill. Does anyone know what information Glyn is referring to and where and from whom he may have obtained it?
Date	Replies
26th March 2004	John Young John, The information I'm sure is that received from the survivors of the debacle at Isandlwana. Richard Thomas Glyn, was obviously the nominal commander of the devastated No. 3 Column. He was undoubtedly anxious to ascertain what had happened to his column and to his former battalion. He would have examined the evidence of eyewitnesses suchas Higginson & Smith-Dorrien, who had seen Melvill with the Queen's Colour, to ascertain the whereabouts of this symbol of regimental honour & pride. Much about the story of Melvill & Coghill, is, in my opinion, based on conjecture. It has been discussed at length on the forum in the past. It might well be worth your while, searching on the forum by using the search engine on the home page, to see what has already been discussed. But search under Melvill, rather than Melville, which I attribute to Glyn's incorrect spelling. John Y.
27th March 2004	Julian Whybra There is also the report in the Natal Mercury from 'a gentleman' whose word is beyond doubt (a surviving officer?) that Melvill received the colour from Pulleine's hands and was entrusted with its safety. He even recorded Pulleine's words. But who was it?
27th March 2004	AMb Going slightly down a rabbit hole, this brings to mind a further question: When the two brave gentlemen were awarded the VC in 1907, who actually wrote up the citations?
28th March 2004	Martin Everett Dear AMB, To answer your question, the memorandum entry pubished in the London Gazette of 2 May 1879 was repeated in the edition of 15 January 1907.