Brecon Museum Fair
In this year of H.M. Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee, and on the
weekend of 28th - 29th June, the South Wales Borderers Museum in Brecon, Mid-Wales,
held a Golden Jubilee Summer Fair. The theme of the fair was the Anglo-Zulu
War of 1879 as the famous 24th Foot were, of course, the predecessors of the
South Wales Borderers.
Situated alongside Brecon Barracks, which is now the headquarters of 160(Wales)
Brigade, the South Wales Borderers Museum in Brecon is a must for anyone interested
in the Zulu War, and contains many fine examples of uniforms and accoutrements
of the whole Victorian period. Although not a large museum, it has a certain
intimacy and visitors are assured of a warm Welsh welcome. During the weekend
fair a number of Zulu War campaign documents, not normally displayed, were on
show. The famous author of countless books on the Zulu War, Ian Knight, was
present to give twice daily lectures. Original paintings and prints by Jason
Askew were displayed and on sale, and Bill Cainan displayed his amazing and
incredibly detailed model of Rorke's Drift.
The 1879 Group were well represented and were able to provide an authentic atmosphere
for visitors. As well as members representing the infantry, Surgeon -Major "Slasher"
Morgan was on hand to demonstrate Victorian field hospital techniques and equipment
- not for the faint-hearted!
Thin Red Line's new home in mid-Wales is only some 25 miles from Brecon, so
it was an easy matter to attend both days with a small display of uniforms and
equipment relevant to the Zulu War. We all enjoyed ourselves immensely at an
informal and relaxed weekend and the pictures show the 1879 Group together with
Ian Knight and Yours Truly at the Thin Red Line stand.
Visit the archive section of our website for news of past 1879 Group events
at Brec
on and see their website from our Links Page
Keith Perks
Thin
Red Line
Thin Red Line,
PO Box 65,
Seavington,
Ilminster,
TA19 0WE. UK