Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
Newspaper
Articles
Tiverton Gazette and East Devon Herald. Tuesday 07 Oct 1879.
RECEPTION OF MAJOR CHARD AT NORTH CURRY.
The rural village of North Curry was en fete on Friday last on the occasion of the visit of Major CHARD, V.C., of Rorke's Drift renown, to his brother-in-law, Major BARRETT, at Moredon. The gallant Major landed at Portsmouth on Thursday, and on Friday he proceeded direct to Taunton, via Yeovil, reaching his destination at about one o'clock. At Durston junction he was greeted with the first instalment of the reception which awaited him, for as the train came in it was received with a kind of feu de joie from ten or twelve detonators placed on the line. About a dozen gentlemen collected on the platform, raised a hearty cheer for Major CHARD, and afterwards shook hands with him before the train left. At Taunton he was met by the Major and Corporation, and the former addressed the hero in appropriate terms, reverting to incidents in his early life, and to the events connected with the defence of Rorke's Drift, which gained him his promotion from the rank of Lieut. to that of Major, and also his Victoria cross. Major CHARD briefly responded, and afterwards drove off for North Curry, accompanied by Major and Mrs. BARRETT, Capt. CHARD, and another brother.
At North Curry extensive preparations had been carried out, under the management and at the expense of a very energetic Committee, and all the streets were decorated with flags, streamers, evergreens, mottoes, &c. Innumerable triumphal arches crossed the road at various points. Opposite the Post Office was one bearing the motto “The Natal Preservers,” and near Mr. TEMBLETT's house was another with “Welcome.” In the square in the centre of the village was the principal arch, composed of biscuit tins and bags containing the word “Mealies” (biscuit tins and mealie bags it will be remembered were the materials with which CHARD and BROMHEAD constructed their barricade), and upon it was the motto “Joy to the defenders of Rorke's Drift.” Along the road from here to Moredon were the mottoes “Welcome to the vallant hero of Rorke's Drift' (on Mr. R. R. BATTEN's house), “Heath and Happiness” (on an arch), and “Peace and Prosperty” (another arch). At the first gate at Moredon was an arch bearing the two words “Ulundi—Home,” and on the second was “Welcome to Moredon,” surmounting a Victoria Cross. The decorations were continued along the road towards Taunton, as far as the four cross roads and some of the mottoes were “Chard and Bromhead,” (at the Bird in Hand), “Health and Happiness,” “Welcome to the gallant Major Chard, the hero of Rorke's Drift” (at Mr. LOCKYER's house), a portrait of Major CHARD (on the front of Mr. FOSTER's house), “God bless the Queen” and “God bless the Prince of Wales” (together with other decorations, on the front of the house occupied by Dr. OLIVEY, who was a prime mover in getting up the demonstration), “J. R. M. C., V.C.” surmounting a laurel wreath (on an arch at the beginning of the Windmill-road), “Long life to Major Chard” (opposite the Wesleyan chapel, at the beginning of the Greenery) “Honour to the brave,” an arch supporting the CHARD crest (a shield, bearing an eagle, and the motto “Nil desperandum”), and a very large triumphal arch by the cross roads. Here the carriage containing Major CHARD arrived at about half-past two, and was met by a procession from the village. The band greeted the arrival with “See the conquering hero comes,” and during a halt the following address was read and presented by the Rev. R. C. L. BROWNE (vicar).
“To Major John Rouse Merriott Chard, R.E., V.C.
We, the inhabitants of North Curry, Othery, and neighbourhood, with whom you and your family have been and are connected, whilst thankfully acknowledging the goodness of Providence in specially preserving and shielding you from the dangers to which you have been exposed, cordially and affectionately welcome you on your safe return to your family and country, and take this opportunity of respectfully expressing our heartfelt admiration of your self-devotion, talent, and gallantry during the Zulu War, particularly during the trying night at Rorke's Drift, when, with only a handfull <sic> of brave soldiers, and with merely extemporized defences, you kept at bay an almost overpowering force of the enemy, and thus probably, under Divine providence, saved the colony of Natal from destruction, and defended the honour of your country.
It is an additional cause of gratitude to us that Her Most Gracious Majesty has recognised your services as well by the promotion which you have so well earned, as by investing you with the Victoria Cross, the highest distinction for personal bravery which can be conferred upon the British soldier or sailor, whatever rank he may hold in the service of his sovereign. Ann in conclusion we wish you health and happiness, and pray that your valuable life may long be spared to enjoy the honours you have gained, and to be of further benefit to your family and country.”
The address, which was beautifully illuminated by a firm in London, bore the Chard crest, and corner ornaments composed of Zulu shields crossed with bundles of assegais, was signed by the Committee, comprising the following gentlemen:- Rev. R. C. L. BROWNE (chairman), Messrs. C. R. MORRIS, J. ELLARD, W. W. LOCK, Rev. E. GODSON, Messrs. H. LOCKYER, G. GOODSON, J. BADCOCK, J. H. DINNING, C. E. VILE, G. J. A. ROUSE, P. FOSTER, J. SOUTHWOOD, J. TEMBLETT, H. BARRINGTON, T. HEMBOROUGH, Rev. CODRINGTON, Rev. E. GILLAM, Dr. H. P. OLIVEY, Messrs. C. LOCKYER, F. J. COOMBES, J. MEAKER, H. M. HUNT, W. HOUSE, R. TURNER, J. F. COLLIER, C. GLYDE, and W. PYNE (secretary).
Major CHARD (who looks remarkably well after his experiences) then rose to reply, and was received with enthusiastic cheers. He said he saw so many people around whom he knew, and so many whom he did not know but whose faces he recognised, that his heart was too full for him to say how deeply he felt the great honour that was now done him. He mentioned that on arriving at Taunton station, Mr. WALSH, of the 13th Regiment, was one of the first to shake him by the hand, as he was the first to shake hands with him after the defence of Rorke's drift. He was very glad to see around him some of the men of the 13th Regiment, who served in the same column with him under General WOOD in Zululand. In the address, allusion had been made to the great mercy shown in his coming home safe and sound. He could assure them he felt very deeply at having been brought safely through all the dangers of the enemy and disease. They would feel thankful as he did, that he was taken to the house of Dr. HYDE, a Somerset man, but for whose kindness and that of his wife, he much feared he should not have been standing here at this moment. He much regretted that Major BROMHEAD, who was still serving his country in Zululand, and Dr. REYNOLDS, whom he left at Portsmouth on the previous day, and the others who were with him at Rorke's Drift, were not here to see this reception. There was, one man present who was with him at Rorke's Drift, and that was the Engineer now sitting on the box of the carriage. He thanked all most sincerely for the reception
Three hearty cheers were given for the Major. Sir Percy DOUGLAS then, as an old general officer, called for three cheers for the sapper on the box, which were immediately given.
The man in question was Driver Charles ROBSON, the only Engineer present at the defence of Rorke's Drift besides Major CHARD.
The horses were taken out of the carriage, which was drawn through the village by tenants. The procession was re-formed, headed by a pensioner from the Life Guards bearing a large Union Jack; and comprising the band of the 3rd S.R.V. Corps; members of the Forester's, Old Fellows, and North Curry Friendly Societies; townsmen four abreast; the reception committee on horseback; Major CHARD's carriage, with an escort of four men of the 13th Regiment; private carriages; and the Othery and North Curry tenantry on horseback. The Committee had applied for an escort of the Ilminster troop of Yeomanry, but while the members were willing enough, this had to be refused as the War office regulations will not permit them to furnish an escort for any less than members of the Royal Family. The tunes played by the band were “See the conquering hero comes,” “Home sweet home,” and “The gallant 24th.”
Arrived at Moredon, in front of the house, cheers were given for Major CHARD, Major BARRETT, Mrs. CHARD, Captain CHARD, Sir Percy DOUGLAS, Capt. ACOCK, and the Sapper.
Major BARRETT, in response, expressed his gratification at the reception, which he said had come spontaneously from the hearts of the people, and he knew nothing about it. He invited all present to enjoy themselves. - Capt. CHARD also responded.
Sir Percy DOUGLAS, as an old officer in the army, and the predecessor of Lord CHELMSFORD in the command in South Africa, which he held ten years ago, paid a high tribute to the gallantry of the British soldiers in Zululand, and said they were but giving utterance to the truth in thus paying honour to Major CHARD.
A move was then made into Mr. JEANES' field, where tents had been erected, and refreshments were provided for all. Mr. DENMAN, of Bridgwater, was the caterer, and acquitted himself to the satisfaction of all.
In another part of the field Major and Mrs. BARRETT and their friends had assembled to do honour to another brave action. It appears that some little time back two lads were bathing in the Tone near here, and getting out of their depth, were in danger of both being drowned. A lad named Fred BREWER, without waiting to strip jumped in, rescued one, and went in after the other, but failed, and was so exhausted by his efforts, that had it not been for two other lads, Charles and Henry HAYES, he would also have been drowned. Dr. OLIVEY took an interest in the matter, and after laying the matter before the Royal Humane Society, succeeded in getting their medal for BREWER, and certificates for the other two lads. The medal and certificates were not presented by Mrs. BARRETT, the circumstances being detailed by Major BARRETT, who said he and his wife were eye-witnesses of the affair.
Speeches were made by the Rev. E. GODSON, vicar of Burrow Bridge, who said that the lads were carrying out the same principles as those which actuated Major CHARD, and urged other lads to take the good old advice in respect to any deed of duty, “Go thou and do likewise; and also by the Rev. E. GILLAM, of Othery, who mentioned that the CHARDs were connected with his parish. In the church was a memorial window to the Major's father, and he found that one of the Major's progenitors was formerly a vicar of his parish.
Various sports were engaged in and the proceedings were kept up till dark, when they were brought to a most successful termination with a grand display of fireworks.