VETERAN OF ZULU WAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20217, 30 March 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

VETERAN OF ZULU WAR.

GREAT SLAUGHTER RECALLED. HARD HIDE WITH DESPATCHES. The fiftieth anniversary of the disaster of Isandhlwana in tlie Zulu War occurred recently, and one. of the few living survivors of this sanguinary engagement is Mr. Charles Montague Fitzroy Sparks, a hale and hearty veteran of 75. a Londoner ]>v birth, v.ho i> a familiar figure in Durban. When the Zulu War broke out Mr. Sparks v.as a first-class trooper in the Xatal Mounted Police, and was among the troops under the command of Lord Chelmsford at the camp of Isandhhvana. On tlie morning of January 22, 1379. Lord Chelmsford moved out of camp with ii strong force to attack ;i largo body of Zulus who v.ero located ]2 miles awav. In the absence of the main body of British troops, tho enemy swooped down on the camp in overwhelming numbers and slaughtered the defenders. Mr. Sparks was on outpost duty with a handful of comrades, and was fortunate in escaping with his life. After the disaster he rode from Helpmakaar to Maritzburg. .i distance of about 115 miles, with Lord Chelmsford's official despatches. He used three horses on the journey, one of which died under him as a result of the excessive speed at which he was obliged to travel. When he. arrived at Government House, Maritzburg. his uniform was tattered and torn, and his face and hands all bloody and grimy from the battlefield.

It was with difficulty that lie secured admittance to the presence of the High Commissioner, Sir Bartle 'rere, to hand over Hie despatches. Mr. Sparks had Hie honour sv relating to the High Commissioner a description of the battle. During the Great War, when Mr. Sparks was 63, lie gave his age as 35 and went to France as a colour-sergt. in the South African Native Labour Corps. "It cost mo 16s to pet my hair dyed and (lie wrinkles taken from my face," he stated, " hut it was worth it."