On the 15th April 2008, Dr. Peter Rattray received an honourary Doctorate from the University of KwaZulu Natal on behalf of his son, David Rattray.

Dr Rattray said the degree was one of the best tributes to a man "..who loved South Africa unreservedly. David had lived among Zulu people most of his life and was steeped in Zulu history and could speak the language."

On presenting the honorary degree, vice-chancellor Professor Dasarath Chetty said David Rattray had been a brilliant and extraordinary orator who shared his deep love and passion for the environment, Zulu culture and the country through his work. "The University of KwaZulu Natal is privileged and takes immense pride in honouring this unique individual, whose work symbolised the very essence of African scholarship."

David's mother, Gillian Rattray, his wife Nicky and three sons Andrew, Douglas and Peter were also present at the ceremony. Nicky said she was "extremely proud that the univeristy saw fit to honour David in this way."

On Friday 2nd November 2007 a ceremony was held at Philip’s Park Cemetery, Manchester, to commemorate the unveiling of a headstone for the grave of Pte 593 William Jones V.C.

This was the culmination of four years of campaigning which led to the chance meeting with the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Glynn Evans.

A further meeting was arranged with Steve Southern, Head of Bereavement Services, and Steve Downey, East Area Parks Manager.
Not only was the possibility of a long overdue headstone discussed, but concerns were also raised over the future of the plaque dedicated to Jones which was displayed on the now derelict Chapel within the grounds of the cemetery.

Once permission had been obtained from all the relevant departments, events moved at a surprising rate. The ceremony was to be arranged at short notice to coincide with Remembrance Day, taking into account the commitments of the Lord Mayor who had kindly agreed to lead the ceremony for Jones.

Amongst the guests who helped to make it a special day were members of the 1879 Society in their splendid period uniforms and staff and children from Ravensbury Community School who sang and laid wreaths. Members of the Manchester Police Museum also attended in Victorian dress, fitting considering that Jones was found by the police wandering the streets towards the end of his life. Also in attendance was John Roberts, the Great Great Grandson of William Jones who spoke passionately about his relative.
Special thanks should be given to Father Andrew’s and Reverend Thomson who led the prayers and blessed the headstone.

It is hoped that once the Chapel at Philip’s Park Cemetery is demolished (unfortunately it appears the cost to repair it is too great)| a memorial garden will be erected within the ‘foot print’ of the Chapel and that the plaques of Jones and Stringer, another V.C. holder buried at Philip’s Park Cemetery, will be displayed in the grounds.

In the meantime copies of the original plaques are displayed proudly on the lodge to the entrance of Philip’s Park and Jones’ grave; complete with the new headstone has been included in the Park’s Heritage trail.

Spink, in association with the Ashcroft V.C. Trust, will be hosting an exhibition of fifty Victoria Crosses from the most  important collection of these Awards ever formed.
Britain’s largest display of the world’s highest and most prestigious Decoration  for Gallantry for over half a century will be open to the General Public in Spink’s Main Gallery, 16th-25th April 2008....more

Spink London
69 Southampton Row, Bloomsbury, London WC1B 4ET
Tel: +44 (0)20 7563 4000

There is a new set of awards which are approved by Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The people who received the inaugural awards at the Deepcut Barracks in Surrey, were for Service to the Zulu People as approved by Minister Prince Buthelezi in June 2006, they are:-

Gold. Postumous
Sir Stanley Baker - received by Lady Baker
SB Bourquin - received by his niece from America
David Rattray - received on behalf of Nicky Rattray by David Charles.

Gold Life Service
Professor John Laband - travelled from Canada.
David Charles - travelled from South Africa, philanthopist and cultural expert.
Ian Knight - author, tour guide.

Silver
Brian Best - Chairman The Victoria Cross Society
Ian Castle - author, lecturer and tour guide.
Alan Critchley - RDVC web site.
Maj. Martin Everett - Curator Brecon Museum
Barry Leitch - founder of Shakaland and advisor to Shaka Zulu
Col. Mike Martin - MD Holts Battlefield Tours - Zululand 1984-90
Isobel Swan - MD Holts Battlefield Tours - Zululand 1990 to present time.

2007 Awards.
Gold;
Terri Julians - Aids nurse, Northern Zululand.
Silver
Mark Maplesden - Researcher, lecturer.
Dr. Damian O'Connor - Author and Schools Zulu Studies Liaison.


2008 Awards
Gold;
Roberta Welham - Patron and Fund raiser for the RD Zulu Village
Silver
Jenni Darwin - Co Patron and Fund raiser for the RD Zulu Village
Katie Stossel - Fund raiser for the RD Zulu Village


At the same time, four degrees were presented from the Calamus International University.

Mark Maplesden BA The role of the Royal Artillery in the Zulu War
David Payne MA The life and times of a Victorian Gentleman - Charles Harford CB

Brian Kieran PhD The defence of O'Okiep (Boer War SW Africa)

David Glyn-Fox PhD The effect of the AZW on the Zulu nation

The awards were organised and presented by Dr. Adrian Greaves of the Anglo Zulu War Historical Society.

An essay competition for 18-24 year olds is being run through the Daily Telegraph.

Having checked the number of postings, here are the top six posters as of today.

No.1 Coll (621)
No.2 Rich (547)
No.3 Peter Ewart (528)
No.4 Mike Snook ((484)
No.5 Dawn (481)
No.6 Michael Boyle (402)

The award is a set of RD mugs which will wing their way to Coll shortly. Well done!

A New Zealand Corporal - Bill Apiata - has been awarded the VC for his bravery in Afghanistan in 2004 - it was annnounced 2nd. July. This is the first award under the New Zealand warrant.

The Durban Museum is to be renamed the Rattray Museum in honour of his work .

The last of four frigates which the SA Navy bought from German shipbuilders has been delivered. The final is named SAS Mendi. One of the others is SAS Spionkop. SAS Isandlwana was commissioned last year. It's new captain is the first black South African Navy captain, Captain Bubele Mhlana.
We trust he will look after a ship with such an emotive name and we send him congratulations and wish him good luck.

The launch of A 'Soldier-Artist in Zululand:William Whitelocke Lloyd and the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879' by David Rattray is to be launched in Johannesburg on 13t. March 2007.
Nicky Rattray will be at the launch and announcing the establishing of the DAVID RATTRAY FOUNDATION.
Martin Everett will be there and will present a cheque towards the fund which has been generously donated by members of the RDVC forum.
We will give details of the final amount after the fund appeal closes on 9th. March.

There is to be a Memorial Service for David Rattray at Westminster Abbey.
Date and details will be posted when arrangements are known.

CRIMINALS like David Rattray’s killer do South Africa a lot of damage, especially in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup when the “whole world is supposed to descend on our country”.
These were the concerned words of KZN Judge President Vuka Tshabalala before sentencing Thembinkosi Ndlovu (22) to 25 years’ jail time for the murder David Rattray.
Ndlovu pleaded guilty to the murder saying that his accomplice, Fethe Sibusiso Nkwanyana, who got the same sentence after he also pleaded guilty, told him to shoot.

Martin Everett has supplied some pictures and text from the laying of floral tributes at Isandlwana, taken by Mike Myers.

A Soldier-Artist in Zululand:
William Whitelocke Lloyd and the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879
by David Rattray
The book has been printed (3,000 copies) - David saw the final printers' proofs but binding was halted - to allow a tribute to be inserted - binding commences this week. Distribution of the pre-paid copies in UK will be through Barbara Lindsay. I expect copies to be in the UK by the end of March if not before.
The remainder of the books will NOT be available through normal retail outlets.

Those requiring copies can only purchase it from:

1. Fugitives' Drift Lodge - info@fugitives-drift-lodge.com
2. Barbara Lindsay - barbara.lindsay@mac.com (cheques only)
3. Regimental Museum in Brecon (cheques, all credit cards) - telephone orders - 0044 (0) 1874 613310 also secure on-line ordering at www.rrw.org.uk

As you see the museum is probably the most flexible option - and it will help to boost museum funds.

Price: 1,400 Rand or £105.00 plus postage
Read the review.

TOURISM in KwaZulu-Natal was dealt a shocking blow last night with the slaying of internationally renowned historian, raconteur and Anglo-Zulu War expert David Rattray at his home in Fugitive’s Drift.
Coming after seven hijackings of tourists in northern KZN coastal areas in the last month, this latest killing has raised concerns about the future of tourism in KZN.
A close family friend told Weekend Witness that he had learnt from Rattray’s wife, Nicky, right after the incident, that the couple had been in their bedroom, with Rattray changing to go cycling, just before 6 pm when they had heard their domestic worker screaming.
When the couple went to investigate they were confronted by six armed suspects, one of whom was wearing a balaclava, who had originally entered Rattray’s Fugitive Drift Lodge office and held up the receptionist, demanding money before asking for Rattray (58) by name and breaking into the Rattrays’ house.
The source told Weekend Witness that Rattray had pushed Nicky down to the ground, at which point one of the suspects opened fire three times, two of which missed Rattray. But the third was fatal. It is believed that nothing was stolen. Certain friends have speculated that the killing had a motive other than robbery.
Best known for his dramatic interpretations of Anglo-Zulu battles, right on the battlefield as well as on international tours, even on international flights, Rattray, who has been described as the “Laurence Olivier of the battlefield” and the “Battlefield Bard”, lived at the world-famous Fugitive’s Drift Lodge with his wife in the Mzinyathi (Buffalo) River area where, in 1879, British troops fleeing the battlefield of Isandlwana tried to make their escape following the crushing defeat inflicted by Zulu warriors on the British force.
The distinctive sphinx-shaped silhouette of the mountain that shadows the battlefield is visible from the lodge.
Rattray and his wife, university sweetheart Nicky, hosted a constant stream of often distinguished, international visitors around the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift. In December 2001, Rattray’s contribution to tourism in South Africa was recognised at the Tatler Travel Awards 2002 ceremony and he was awarded the Tatler/Gordon Campbell Gray award for vision in tourism.
Rattray wrote the David Rattray’s Guidebook to the Anglo-Zulu War Battlefields and had just completed another book, A Soldier Artist in Zululand.
He was introduced to Zulu lore by life-long friend Mzongani “Satchmo” Mpanza, and the two spent days on expeditions into remote areas. In June 1999, Rattray received the Ness Award from the Royal Geographic Society in recognition of widening the popular understanding of Zulu culture in southern Africa.
Describing the shooting as “mindless”, KZN-based British tour operator, former senior British army cavalry officer Colonel Reggie Purbrick, who has been bringing British youths to KZN for the past 10 years for “Berg, beach and battlefield” educational tours, told Weekend Witness that Rattray had been an integral part of the tourism attraction and educational value.
“David was the one man in the world who had done more to promote black and white, especially Zulu and British reconciliation than any other. I can assure you that David was the one man in the world, who has continually preached reconciliation in every lecture he gave, the last man to hope that this sort of incident would impact on British tourism. My own personal feeling is, of course, that it will,” he said.
“I see this [crime] as a watershed in terms of how we are viewed overseas. What a sickening affair.”
The impact of Rattray’s murder on tourism in South Africa will depend, he added, on how it is handled by the press, both at home and abroad, and also upon “how the country’s authorities address the awful and gratuitous violence being committed every day” in South Africa.
Contacted by Weekend Witness reporters, Fugitive’s Drift Lodge staff said the Lodge had no plans to close down.
SAPS officials were unable to offer any more information to Weekend Witness by the time of going to press.
Kwanalu president Robin Barnsley expressed his outrage at the killing, saying he is concerned with the level of violence in the rural areas. Kwanalu met with MEC of safety security and transport Bheki Cele recently to discuss these issues. Barnsley called on government to “make sure that all elements of rural society are pulling together to stop the violence”.
Agricultural Union chairman, and neighbour Hermann de Wet, who is also in charge of SAPS reservists, said that the community had mobilised forces to search for the suspects, but that no suspects had yet been identified.
KZN heritage body Amafa chair Arthur Koningkramer, who knew Rattray for 40 years, said he was “a very kind and gentle man”.
“It’s an absolute outrage,” said Koningkramer last night. “And it’s going to have very serious implications for South Africa.”
Rattray was born in Johannesburg in 1958 and was educated at Pridwin and St Alban’s Collge. He graduated from the University of Natal in 1982, with a BSc Honours Degree in entomology. When he left university he went to work at Mala Mala Game Reserve as a manager from 1983 to 1988. After that he moved to Rorke’s Drift, where he settled down with his wife.
Ratray was a trustee of the Siyasiza Trust, the Magqubu Ntombela Foundation and the John Voelker Bird Book Fund. In 1998, he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Geographical society.
Apart from owning and running the Fugitive Drift Lodge, Rattray also half-owned the exclusive Three Tree Hill Lodge.
craig@witness.co.za
Published: 27 January 2007


http://www.witness.co.za/default.asp?myAction=detail&myRef=49916&myCat=news

I have just been told that David Rattray has been shot and is dead. I don't have further details but this has been confirmed by Rob Gerrard of Isandlwana Lodge.
Every sympathy goes out to Nicky and his family of course. I hope that further information will throw light on this terrible tragedy.

It is reported that British troops in Helmand Province in Afghanistan were given a turkey dinner and shown the film Zulu during it!

The grave of Private Robert Jones VC in St. Peter's Church graveyard, Peterchurch, Herefordshire has been beautifully restored.

From Martin Everett, Regimental Museum, Brecon.
On my way to the museum on Thursday 14th December, I was able to re-visit the grave of
Robert Jones VC, Rorke's Drift defender. For some time, the hero's headstone has been in a sorry state, with lead missing from lettering and moss covering most of the surface. However, Stephen Jackson from Longwell Green in Bristol came to the rescue and engaged Mr N C Pegler, Monumental Mason, Rockfield Road, Hereford to re-furbish the headstone. I think you will agree the results are stunning.
Thank you Stephen Jackson.

Corporal Bryan Budd, 29, of Ripon, North Yorkshire, was killed when he single-handedly stormed a Taleban position in Afghanistan, in August.

It is the first posthumous VC to be awarded since the Falklands conflict.

He had a daughter aged two and his wife gave birth to their second child a month after he was killed in action.

Read the BBC News item

It is with great sadness that we hear of the passing of Henry Bunting, a long standing honourary group member, the grandson of Henry Hook VC. Henry passed away last Thursday, and he had been ill for several weeks. Cyril, his son, e-mailed Danny to tell us and mentioned how delighted Henry was to have been at the grave re-dedication in Churcham and, indeed, how pleased he (Cyril) was at seeing Henry enjoying the day.
The funeral is to be held at St Georges Church, Brocleworth, Gloucester, 13:45 on Friday 17th.

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