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Lieutenant Colonel Anthony William DURNFORD |
Lieutenant Colonel Anthony William Durnford was born in 1830, eldest son of General E W Durnford, Colonel Commandant, Royal Engineers. After graduating from the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich, Durnford obtained a commission as Second-Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers in 1848. After the Royal Military Academy he came to Chatham and then went on to Scotland and Ceylon. In 1855, in addition to his military duties, he was appointed Assistant Commissioner of Roads and Civil Engineer in Ceylon. He then served in Malta and Gibraltar, returning to Britain in 1864 for employment at Devonport and Dublin. He married but after the tragic death of a son and a daughter the marriage ended. In 1871, he was a Captain who had not yet seen active service. He had suffered "heat apoplexy" on the way to China and was invalided home. He was almost killed in a railway accident in Ireland. On being posted to Cape Town at the end of 1871, he was promoted to Major. He became friendly with the Bishop of Natal, Bishop Colenso. It was said he fell in love with the Bishop's youngest daughter, Fanny. |
 Lieutenant Colonel Anthony William Durnford |
He was employed for a short time at Cape Town and King William's Town before proceeding to Natal. He subsequently acted as Colonial Engineer in addition to his own duties. In 1873, he was senior officer of the Royal Engineers in Natal at the time of the expedition against the Hlubi chieftain, Langalibalele. Despite Durnford's leadership and example, the event was disastrous with many men killed and nearly all the pack horses, rations and ammunition lost. During the difficult journey Durnford sustained injury to his head and body and dislocated his shoulder. With only his interpreter, he went to try to persuade Langalibalele and his men to return peaceably. Firing began suddenly, killing the interpreter and wounding Durnford several times. He was stabbed through his left arm, this injury resulting in permanent paralysis of the limb. Durnford escaped to go on to further duties before returning to England where he received Military and Colonial Office appreciation for his services. In 1877 he again embarked for Natal. Two years later when war on the Zulus was declared he was in Command of the Natal Native Contingent. In the invasion into Zululand he was given command of Column No 2. based on Middle Drift as a mobile reserve, according to Chelmsford's orders; 3,871 troops, consisting almost entirely of Natal Native Contingent.The battle of Isandlwana (Wednesday 22nd January 1879) was one of the worst disasters of British military history and Durnford's part in the terrible affair has been the subject of inquiry and study. At Isandlwana the Zulu main force was resting five miles from the camp. Chelmsford's defence was dispersed and uncoordinated and overwhelmed by vastly superior forces. This was not perceived as real until it was too late. Durnford, commanding a mounted column, was ordered to Isandlwana to reinforce the troops left in camp there. Chelmsford had earlier left camp to go to the help of Major Dartnell, thus dividing his force. Durnford arrived at a critical moment and he and Lieutenant Colonel Pulleine, commanding the camp, jointly managed to misread the location and extent of the Zulu threat and misconstrue each other's orders. There is no convincing documentary evidence nor eyewitness account to explain exactly how this occurred. It remains an area of speculation. Durnford was without doubt a courageous man and a keen and loyal soldier - he also seems to have been a very unlucky one. |
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Authors: Royal Engineers Museum Curatorial and Library Team Sources:
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