RELIEF OF LUCKNOW

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22719, 4 November 1935, Page 12

RELIEF OF LUCKNOW

SURVIVORS’ GATHERING Ten people in various parts of the world recently celebrated the seventyeigbth anniversary of one of the most J“ ri l™K. e Pis°d'e s in the annauls of war—the Relief of Lucknow. They are the only survivors of the six months’ siege (says the Morning Post). No official gathering took place, for the annua] “ Defence Dinner ” has not been held since the war, Tho youngest _ survivor,* Mr Arthur Dashwood, aged 78; described to a Morning Post representative how, through the intervening years; he has kept in close contact with those who endured the siege. I was born in the Lucknow Residency during the height of the assault,” he said. Somewhat naturally, therefore, I have always taken the deepest interest in the doings of all who were rescued from the city. “ My father and uncle, both officers in the 48th Native Infantry, were killed in jielping to defend the Residency. A brother also died. Despite the hardships —there were 17 people herded together in the small room in which I was born—my mother lived to be over 70.” Among Mr Dashwood’s most treasured possessions at his London home is Sir Joseph Fayrer’s Lucknow album, containing portraits of more than 150 of the soldiers and civilians who held out against the rebels until the entry of the relief force under General Havelock and Sir James Outram. Sir Joseph was the surgeon at the Residency, and attended Sir Henry Lawrence when he died. In his “ Recollections,” Sir Joseph described the scene of the Relief, when “ big, rough-bearded soldiers were seizing the little children, kissing them, with tears running down their cheeks, and thanking God they had .come in time to save them from the fate of those at Cawnpore.” Mr Dashwood maintains a regular correspondence with bis nine co-survivors of the siege. " Since, it became impossible to hold our annual commemoration dinners, I have felt that it was up to me to make some effort to keep in touch with the others,” ho said. “ Practically every year finds another absentee on the roll of honour. After all. three-quarters of a century has passed since the siege. “ The oldest of us is IVJr C. G. Palmer, who lives in British Columbia and from whom 1 often receive news. He is the only living holder of the Lucknow Medal. Then there is Sir Ramsay Couper, in Australia, and Mr A. G Campagnac, and Mrs Ilollingbcry, in Calcutta. The remainder, in England, are Airs Haynes. Mrs Pryce, Mrs A. Thomson, Mr R. H. Anderson, and the Rev. R. A. Edgell. Mrs Haynes, I regret to say, is dangerously ill at the moment.” Mr Dashwood. who is known as the "Baby of Lucknow,” is a man of many activities. He is a well-known Conservative, is a familiar figure at race meetings, and is frecfuently to be seen striding purposefully round golf courses. He is proud that he has not missed a Univ ersity cricket match at Lord’s for j <SO years.