Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 903

The important presentation copy of Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands given by the author, Queen Victoria, to Major J. Chard V.C., Royal Engineers, upon his return to England from earning the Victoria Cross at Rorke's Drift, during their private audience at Balmoral Castle in October 1879

Queen Victoria, Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands, from 1848 to 1861, AUTHOR'S PRESENTATION COPY TO JOHN CHARD, inscribed in ink 'To Major John Chard R.E., V.C. on his return from Zululand from Victoria, Balmoral Oct: 13 1879', 2 engraved plates, original green Morocco gilt, g.e., 8vo, Smith, Elder, 1868, good very fine

Provenance:
Bonhams Chard Auction, Lot 72, December 2020, when sold by Order of the Descendants.

V.C. London Gazette 2 May 1879:

'For their gallant conduct at the defence of Rorke's Drift, on the occasion of the attack by the Zulus on the 22nd and 23rd January, 1879.

Royal Engineers Lieutenant (now Captain and Brevet Major) J. R. M. Chard.

2nd Battalion 24th Regiment Lieutenant (now Captain and Brevet Major) G. Bromhead.

The Lieutenant-General commanding the troops reports that, had it not been for the fine example and excellent behaviour of these two Officers under the most trying circumstances, the defence of Rorke's Drift post would not have been conducted with that intelligence and tenacity which so essentially characterised it.

The Lieutenant-General adds, that its success must, in a great degree, be attributable to the two young Officers who exercised the Chief Command on the occasion in question.'

On his triumphant arrival back from South Africa at Spithead on 2 October 1879, John Chard V.C. was welcomed in person by the Duke of Cambridge with an invitation to an audience with Queen Victoria at Balmoral Castle. Just two weeks later, on 13 October he visited '...to recount the battle to the Queen, who had followed the progress of the Anglo-Zulu War with great interest' (Royal Collection Trust, website).

A. F. Pickard, Private Secretary to The Queen, wrote on 14 October 1879:

'Chard has been here and left this morning. He explained the Defence of Rorke's Drift to The Queen, Prince Leopold, the Grand Duke of Hesse, and Princess Beatrice in the Queen's Private Room, and did it all very clearly and modestly. After dinner he did likewise to us in the billiard room on the table, where store and hospital were books and boxes, and mealie bags and biscuit tins were billiard balls.'

The following year Chard personally presented to The Queen, at her request, a written account on the Defence of Rorke's Drift, and her continued interest in him is testified by her sending to his funeral in 1897 a laurel wreath with the inscription "A mark of admiration and regard for a brave soldier from his sovereign".

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£8,000 to £12,000

Starting price
£7800