- zeer fraai geïllustreerd boek over een beroemde, enigszins excentrieke Engelse militair die ook insecten verzamelde in Zd-Afrika ttv. de Boerenoorlog.
- Including the Anglo-Zulu War and his service in India. Henry Charles Harford "The Beetle Collector" was an entomologist and a vibrant personality of the Anglo Zulu War. H.C.Harford had always fascinated David Rattray,the world famous lecturer on the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and himself a qualified entomologist.
- Much is known about Henry Charles Harford because he came from an eminent family linked through marriage to the Scott family (Captain Robert Falcon Scott- Scott of the Antarctic- was Harford's cousin). Charlie Harford, as he was known, played a significant role in the Anglo Zulu War of 1879 and as a Lieutenant attached to the Colonial Natal Native Contingent from the 99th (Wiltshire) Regiment, he led the first attack against the Zulus under the watchful eye of the British Commander, Lord Chelmsford. Even in this early engagement Harford earned the respect and admiration of his fellow officers for his calm but did cause some confusion in the heat of battle by pausing to collect a rare beetle. Harford was well known to his colleagues for his intense interest in nature, especially of beetles, butterflies and moths,an interest which matched his enthusiasm for military life.
Harford particiated in a number of important actions during the Zulu War and was at Rorke's Drift until the invasion of Zululand. He led the first attack against the local Zulu Chief Sihayo and accompanied Lord Chelmsford on his ill fated reconnaissance which left the main British camp at Isandlwana unprepared for a full Zulu attack the following day.
|He witnessed the result of the Zulu victory at Isandlwana and went on to see the aftermath at Rorke's Drift he then supervised the disbandment of the Natal Native Contingent. At the same time his senior officer, Commandant Lonsdale, gave Harford custody of two officer deserters, Lieutentants Higginson and Stephenson; both officers abandoned their men in action against the Zulus and the situation caused Harford some perplexing moments. Following the Zulu defeat on the 4th July 1879, Harford was part of the force that searched for King Cetshwayo and he was personally given the custody of King Cetshwayo following his capture until the king was imprisoned in Cape Town.
After service in Zululand, Harford remained in the British Army and served variously in the UK, Bahamas and India. he retained his interest in collecting rare specimens and he mediculously recorded these and sent the best exhibits to the Museum of Natural History in Durban. A number of rare items were also presented to the British Museum in London.....