Anthony Durnford
| Anthony William Durnford | |
|---|---|
Anthony Durnford in 1870
|
|
| Born |
24 June 1830 County Leitrim, Ireland |
| Died | 22 January 1879 (aged 48) Isandlwana, South Africa |
| Buried at | St George's Garrison Church, Fort Napier, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 British Army
|
| Years of service | 1848–1879 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Royal Engineers |
| Commands held | No.2 Column, Zululand Invasion Force |
| Battles/wars | |
| Spouse(s) | Frances Tranchell |
 Grave of Anthony William Durnford at St George's Garrison Church, Fort Napier, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa |
Lieutenant colonel Anthony William Durnford (1830–1879) was an Irish career British Army officer of the Royal Engineers who served in the Anglo-Zulu War. Breveted colonel, Durnford is mainly known for his heroic presence at the defeat of the British Army by the Zulus at the Battle of Isandlwana.
Durnford was born into a military family at Manor Hamilton, County Leitrim, Ireland, on 24 May 1830. His father was General Edward William Durnford, also of the Royal Engineers. His younger brother, Edward, also served in the British military, as a lieutenant-colonel in the Royal Marine Artillery. During his formative years he lived with his uncle in Düsseldorf, Germany.
In July 1846 Durnford returned to England to enter the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Royal Engineers in 1848 initially serving at Chatham and Scotland. Between 1851 and 1856 he served in Ceylon, stationed at Trincomalee, where he provided distinguished assistance in designing the harbour. In 1853 Durnford was instrumental in saving portions of the harbour defences from destruction by fire.
Durnford volunteered for service in the Crimean War but was not accepted. He was transferred in 1856 to Malta as an intermediate posting, but did not see active service either in the Crimea or in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. He served in Malta as an adjutant until February 1858, when he was promoted to Second Captain and posted back to Chatham and Aldershot in England. Between 1861 and 1864 Durnford commanded No. 27 Field Company, Royal Engineers, at Gibraltar.
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