Durnford 1879 from Chatham to Isandlwana

In 1882, a book was written: "A Soldier's Life and work in South Africa" 1872 - 1879 A Memoir of the Late Colonel A.W. Durnford, Royal Engineers By Lieut-Colonel E. Durnford Lieut-Colonel Edward Durnford was his brother. He himself was a qualified Military Officer who served in the Crimean War with the Royal Marines. Their father was a General with the Royal Engineers, and his grandfather before him, also served and was in charge at Chatham Barracks. His younger brother Col Arthur Durnford served at Chatham. We share common grandparents, Major Andrew Durnford R.E. and his wife Jemima Isaacson, but while Edward wrote the memoir, he concentrated on Anthony's life during his period of time in South Africa, until his death on 22nd January 1879, in the Zulu War, and continued with research Edward collected up until 1882, when the memoir was published, including an update which contained crucial evidence, in the form of a "missing order". His book is now quite rare, and obtaining a copy very difficult. Edward was to write a sequel in 1886, but that book was never published. It would have contained a significant amount of information of evidence collected after 1882, relevant to the death of Colonel Anthony William Durnford. That evidence was written, presented, collected and collated, and filed in a set of drawers in a Library, with strict instructions on the cover, "Not to be Seen by the General Public". It lay there from 1930, through a World War, and suffered damage, the pages became loose, and in 1954, an inquisitive researcher found some loose pages. Attempts were made to create a factual timeline of the contents, but while some pages were revealed, a great many were not. In fact, many pages and items were simply collected, and re-filed. Through a series of mistakes, those pages have been revealed. Edward's proposed publication of 1886 has taken quite a while to be to told, as he was one of many who had collected, material which became known as "The Isandlwana File". Did he have full knowledge of what it contained? Perhaps not, but as a contributor, he was privy to a great deal of the information. Someone "pressured" him to not publish, perhaps because Arthur was still a serving officer. Would Edward have expanded his book to include a biography of the life of Colonel A.W. Durnford? Not many without an interest in family or military history, may be familiar with the Durnfords, but before understanding the factors that made him become a well known figure in Victorian Military History, more of his life story should be told. "Durnford 1879 - From Chatham to Isandhlwana" follows on from Lieut-Colonel Edward Durnford's memoir, and contains details of Edward's research, including greater details of the Soldier's Life. "Durnford 1879 From Isandhlwana to Chatham", is the untold story. The one that Edward would have written, of events up to 1886, and the subsequent contemporary research conducted for many years afterwards. In the words of Edward Durnford. In publishing this Memoir of my brother, I think it due to the public to state the reasons which have induced me to undertake such a work. In the first place, I must apologise for any shortcomings arising from the hindrance I have experienced, owing to my brother's papers having been destroyed at his death, I believe by the "Committee of Adjustment" of his affairs; and thus the valuable papers on Colonial and Native matters, which were in his possession at the latter part of 1878, have disappeared........ As regards South Africa, I believe that facts relating to our rule, and the rights and wrongs of our dealings with the natives, form an interesting subject, well worthy of all the light that can be thrown upon it. Colonel Durnford, during his service in South Africa, had a large and varied experience - including the coronation of Cetshwayo, the outbreak of Langalibalele, the annexation of the Transvaal, the Zulu Boundary Commission, and the preparation for, and commencement of, the Zulu War. The unwavering justice he showed in all his dealings with the natives soon led them to place unbounded reliance upon him. And thus it is plainly shown how easy and beneficent would be our rule if truth and justice were in all things associated with the loved name of England. With these subjects of much import are introduced varied scenes of colonial life, which I would fain hope may furnish pleasant, as well as interesting reading. But the mainspring of my action has been that the closing scene of my dear brother's life, during which he in all things upheld the honour and fame of his country, has been misrepresented., I grieve to say, wilfully and deliberately; and my endeavour has therefore been plainly to set forth the truth, and thus to vindicate the military reputation of a soldier who deserved well of his country. Edward Durnford, Rothamsted Lodge St Albans, 24th July 1882 Edward was to publish an update, with information that was available up to 1886. That book was not written, but if it had, it would have contained the details which are now presented in Volume Two, of the series, "Durnford 1879 From Isandlwana to Chatham". Those details remained hidden in a Library, labelled the Isandlwana Papers, and noted in 1932, "Not to be seen by the public." In assessing those papers, further questions and research was conducted into matter that were all part of the Mysteries Following the death of Colonel Anthony William Durnford on 22nd January 1879.