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Private David Jenkins
peterw


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 865
Location: UK
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News from the National Army Museum:
http://www.nam.ac.uk/press/lost-Welsh-hero-finally-has-his-day

There is not enough detail in the press release for me so perhaps someone who has followed this more closely can explain.

Peter
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Martin Everett


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 786
Location: Brecon
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Peter

If you do a search on this site on 'Jenkins' - you will find 'New RD Defender' which will give you the background to this story. It has also been publicised in 'Soldier' magazine. Now over 3 years old.

This NAM press release is to boost the latest exhibition at NAM and their aim to get the public to rank battles fought by the British Army. My initial thoughts is that 'cheapens' (if that is the right word) warfare. Takes no consideration of those killed or injured. Men in all these battles fought desperately to stay alive and achieve the objective set. It is turning warfare into an entertainment - like a European Cup match.

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Martin Everett
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peterw


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 865
Location: UK
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Martin

Many thanks.

Peter
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Alan
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Joined: 30 Aug 2005
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Location: Wales
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Martin,
I think the word is 'trivialise'.

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peterw


Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 865
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Here's the original thread referred to by Martin:
www.rorkesdriftvc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=343

Peter
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The Scorer


Joined: 27 Nov 2006
Posts: 338
Location: Newport
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Bill Cainan 3


Joined: 19 Feb 2011
Posts: 105
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Hi All

As Martin has said, this was all resolved in 2005, but of course the NAM have now picked up on it as a "new" discovery, and have included a few inaccuracies in their report (which has in turn, been picked up by The Western Mail). I have copied all the details we have on David Jenkins to the NAM (on their request), so hopefully, they will be correct from here on.

His Bible wasn't presented to the NAM but to us in the Regimental Museum here in Brecopn. It is now on display in "Firing Line" in Cardiff.

Bill
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Alan
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Wobblefilms


Joined: 13 Sep 2005
Posts: 24
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And this article on the BBC website

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22039080

It also said there may be 15 other soldiers who were at the battle but no on the official role, is that correct or just speculation?
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Peter Ewart


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 1797
Location: Near Canterbury, Kent, England.
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Wobblefilms

The original rolls of the defenders present (Chard's, Bourne's, others & later amendments to these) have long been known to have contained several discrepancies. Subsequent research - as well as speculation - has since led to alterations in the form of additions and deletions and this has continued since 1879. Modern research in a variety of sources has been much more thorough but it remains (and probably always will) a "work in progress."

Many books & media outlets - obviously quoting out of date publications - still refer to around 139 defenders, including the sick, but the current calculation of a figure in the mid-150s (I forget the exact number but I believe it still allows for a margin of two as a result of uncertainty or disputes) is produced by Julian Whybra in his England's Sons, which also describes a number of spurious claims. I haven't got the latest version (it is periodically updated) so I could be out of date myself by a man or two. Considerably detailed research obviously goes into all these efforts from modern historians on the battle in recent years - Lee Stevenson, Ian Knight, Julian Whybra and others - and I believe there is some measure of agreement on the present number, down to the nearest one man or so. It probably takes a great deal to get through these researchers to have a "new" man accepted, just as it does to remove one.

Peter
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Bill Cainan 3


Joined: 19 Feb 2011
Posts: 105
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Everyone

Thanks Peter, a good summing up,

The garrison at RD was provided by B Company 2/24th and we are pretty solid (as you would expect) on the men in that Company. And of course, this Company would have figured prominently in Bourne's roll, him being the CSM. Chard, would obviously not have known many of the men in the 24th. The problems arise when you look at all the others present - men detached from the 1/24 to assist with the stores; patients in the hospital; men "passing through"; and temporary visitors (eg Padre Smith, Dunne, Dalton, etc). All we can do is weigh the evidence and make a judgement. Sometimes, the evidence is fragmentary and our judgement comes out as a rough percentage probability. Julian's "England's Sons" is a very good start to looking at the issue, and of course Julian regularly updates including all of the latest information that comes to light.

Bill
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Julian whybra


Joined: 03 Sep 2005
Posts: 437
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Re �The Forgotten Survivor of Rorke�s Drift� (DT 6.4.13), Pte, Jenkins�s great-grandson is a trifle late in discovering his relative fought in the battle. Not only did Lady Butler know in 1880, when participants were sent to her to be sketched, but The Times (Oct 1879), the Regimental Record of Services, Jenkins�s own letter home (29.1.1879) which was published twice in local newspapers, and a fellow soldier�s letter home all record his presence there. He was also introduced to the King as a Rorke�s Drift veteran (South Wales Daily Post & Herald of Wales, both July 1904). All this has been known to the Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh for some years. A Roll compiled by Lieut. Chard�s Driver Robson left out at least thirteen men (possibly three more). A complete Roll can be found in �England�s Sons� available from the Museum (published 2004 - nine years ago!).
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Martin Everett


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
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As this story seems to run and run - it is only good for the hard work put in by Julian and especially Bill at the Regimental Museum.

We always knew that there was a Jenkins at RD but he was a 1/24th man - of course what non-military people do not readily understand is that he would not have been on first name terms with B Coy 2/24th who he had probably never met before.

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Martin Everett
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Bill Cainan 3


Joined: 19 Feb 2011
Posts: 105
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All

To follow on from previous posts, we have in our archives "The Records of the 1/24th 1689-1905 and 2/24th 1804-1813". this is essentially a handwritten daily diary.

In 1879 there is the following entry:

"At the gallant defence of Rorke's Drift under Lieuts Bromhead & Chard, the following men of the 1/24th Regiment were present:

Sergeant E Wilson
Private P Desmond
Private Nichols
Private D Horrigan
Private D Jenkins
Private Paton
Private Beckitt
Private W Roy
Private W Waters


Notes:
Paton = Payton
Beckitt = Beckett

So, with regard to Pte D Jenkins, there you have it. I do realise that this entry could raise questions about other men. What I would say to that, is read Julian Whybra's excellent "England's Sons" for the latest position.

Bill
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Mark Hobson


Joined: 18 Sep 2005
Posts: 106
Location: Halifax
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Sloppy homework all round by the NAM then. I guess any 'new' Rorke's Drift discovery is bound to generate publicity, but you'd expect a more professional approach to research. These things no doubt go in cycles and this same story may pop up again a few years down the line.
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Private David Jenkins
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