6th June 2013
BY CHRIS DENNE
Members of Bridport’s University of the Third Age (U3A) learned about one of the key battles in the Boer War courtesy of a visiting expert.
Dr Kevin Shillington, freelance historian, teacher and author of several books on Africa, gave the talk fresh from his tour of the battlefield in South Africa which formed the subject of his latest research.
Dr Shillington’s investigation centres on the British defeat at Spion Kop – literally “hill with a view” – where many Lancashire soldiers lost their lives.
The loss resonated so strongly back in Lancashire that Liverpool Football Club named their famous stand after the battle.
Winston Churchill – a journalist stationed in South Africa at the time – acted as a courier during the battle which also saw his future political rival Mahatma Gandhi serve as stretcher bearer.
During the U3A presentation Dr Shillington contended that General Sir Charles Warren – accused of tactical sloppiness and of encumbering his men with cumbersome personal possessions said to include a cast iron bathtub – was wrongly blamed for the British defeat.
The historian’s illustrated talk included photographs taken in the last month at the battle scene, and was well received by the audience.
One member said: “For me, the talk brought the whole war situation to life; it was an excellent history lesson”.
At the next meeting – on June 25th at Bridport United Church Hall from 2pm – Brian Stidwell will be telling the story of West Bay
U3A is dedicated to providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities to people no longer in full time education.
CAPTION Kevin Shillington who presented the results of his research on the battle of Spion Kop at the Bridport District U3A meeting in May, is pictured with Stewart Owers
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Article source: http://www.viewfrompublishing.co.uk/news_view/26371/7/1/bridport-why-the-kop%E2%80%99s-called-the-kop