rorkesdriftvc.com Forum Index


rorkesdriftvc.com
Discussions related to the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879
Reply to topic
Good News - Private J Lodge 'Rorke's Drift' 1879.
ANDY LEE


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Bournville,West Midlands, UK
Reply with quote
For some time now I've been working on Private J Lodge in Phillip's Park. Last week we had the area where Private J Lodge is believed to be buried cleared as it was very overgrown in order to explore further. Laughing We now believe using specialised equipmemt that there is a grave stone located on the spot but sadly it is 5-12ft down but we remain hopeful that it can be raised.

Will keep you posted.

Andy
View user's profileSend private message
Dawn


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 610
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Reply with quote
Nice to know there's people out there looking after things like this. Well done! Smile

Dawn
View user's profileSend private messageSend e-mailVisit poster's website
ANDY LEE


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Bournville,West Midlands, UK
Reply with quote
Hi Dawn

Lee Stevenson & the KLH are two of the major driving forces in this area of work but do try and make the odd contribution.

Just been working on one of the VC's in your Auckland (Cyril Bassett VC).

Thanks

Andy
View user's profileSend private message
Dawn


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 610
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Reply with quote
Didn't know we had a VC here. Please tell me more. Is there anything I can help you with?

(Great - I know the VC's in Zululand and don't know them here! Laughing )

Dawn
View user's profileSend private messageSend e-mailVisit poster's website
Private J. Lodge
David Glynne Fox


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 59
Location: Nottingham
Reply with quote
Hi Andy,
Well done on the above. I have been researching memorials for many years and am a proud member of the KLH. Do you have any idea why the headstone should have sunk so low in the ground? I have visited Phillip's Park for William Jones VC. I found his grave but the plaque on the church wall was missing, since restored I believe. At that time, I wasn't aware that Lodge was in the same cemetery, so there are two good reasons to take the cameras back to Manchester.
Kindest regards
David

_________________
David Glynne Fox ZuluVentures.co.uk
View user's profileSend private messageSend e-mailVisit poster's website
TonyJones


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 188
Location: Essex
Reply with quote
Dear Andy,
your work is to be applauded,this is what honouring our forgotten heroes is all about.I shall be in Manchester shortly and will take a look when i visit 593's grave.Look's like the bulk of the work is done but if you need any further help whilst i am there i would be happy to assist.I was told,on my previous searches,that there was a slight mound in the ground where the grave was located was this true.This makes the Graham Mason question about Joshua Lodge (see elsewhere on this forum) even more pertinent and topical-it's good to have such forward looking people.
Well done Andy,your work shines brighter than just writing about people.

Tony.
View user's profileSend private messageVisit poster's website
ANDY LEE


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Bournville,West Midlands, UK
Reply with quote
Hi Dawn

Cyril Bassett VC Born Mount Eden, VC Action was Chunuk Blair Ridge, Gallipoli (7 August 1915) Buried North Shore Crematorium, Auckland. VC can be viewed at the Auckland Museum. My reseach is completed on this one but if I come across any others in Auckland would be grateful of any assistance - Thanks.

David/Tony

The plaque to William Jones VC was not there when I first visited back in 2001 but was there last Monday and its now back on the chapel wall. Private J Lodge is in section I Grave 2302 - it was covered by undergrowth but the Cemetery Manager and his team where OUTSTANDING. I think it is so deep down because it is quite close to the cemetery boundry and over the years has been very close to many developments.

I must add that Ian Woodason (KLH) provided me with alot of information on Private J Lodge initially which enabled me to go on this project so if successful it's down to him.

Will keep you all posted if we get any further developments Laughing

Andy
View user's profileSend private message
Pte. J. Lodge
David Glynne Fox


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 59
Location: Nottingham
Reply with quote
Hi Andy,

Thanks for explaining the possible reason the the depth of the gravestone. That makes good sense. The KLH never cease to amaze me with their research, they have done so much to help me over the years in my quest for memorials and I feel so guilty having so little to give back. Good luck with any restoration and all credit to the cemetery staff for their help. Well done.
Regards
David

_________________
David Glynne Fox ZuluVentures.co.uk
View user's profileSend private messageSend e-mailVisit poster's website
ANDY LEE


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Bournville,West Midlands, UK
Reply with quote
David

Wasn't it your good self that did some hard work on the Ruddington boys. That deserved alot of credit.

And
View user's profileSend private message
Pte. J. Lodge.
David Glynne Fox


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 59
Location: Nottingham
Reply with quote
Hi Andy,
Yes, I did have a bit to do with the Ruddington lads. It was a day I will never forget. I could not believe the interest and the fantastic turn-out.
Regards
David

_________________
David Glynne Fox ZuluVentures.co.uk
View user's profileSend private messageSend e-mailVisit poster's website
TonyJones


Joined: 31 Aug 2005
Posts: 188
Location: Essex
Reply with quote
Dear Andy,
i forgot to mention to you.593 Pte William Jones VC's remains(along with the other's that he shares the grave with) were moved some 30 yards further inwards some time ago to accommodate the road widening scheme at the gasworks end of Philip's Park cemetery.I remember when i visited the cemetery this February,the day when i met Alan Critchley and we searched for the Stringer and Lodge graves,we teamed up with my friend and Gorton Historian,Mr Sid Riley,whose cousin was married to one of 593's grandaughters,and he told us of this move some time ago,an article about which appeared in the Manchester Evening News.Could the Lodge Grave have also been moved,i wonder,which may possibly account for the absence of the headstone.Yes,the Philip's Park staff are very helpful and friendly they have been very good to myself and extended family on visits and about other enquiries.I have no reference to the Lodge grave being moved as well-how's the work getting on.

Tony Jones.
View user's profileSend private messageVisit poster's website
ANDY LEE


Joined: 01 Sep 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Bournville,West Midlands, UK
Reply with quote
Hi Tony

Nothing has happened since our last visit, we have located the spot and believe the stone is submerged some distance down. Will update you if we get any further developments.

Regards

Andy
View user's profileSend private message
Good News - Private J Lodge 'Rorke's Drift' 1879.
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
All times are GMT  
Page 1 of 1  

  
  
 Reply to topic