John Chard VC House (TA Center, Swansea)

John Chard VC House 

TA Center, Swansea

We sadly had to return to Swansea last week to attend the funeral on Thursday 22nd April, of a lovely lady - Mrs Jennifer Jones, known to everyone as "Aunty Jen" from Christchurch, Church on Oystermouth Road. The lady used to run the church Sunday school and became a great friend of my wife and was Godmother to our boys.

After the ceremony all were invited to a reception/farewell at the local TA Center just around the corner on Glamorgan Street. The TA Centre is named - John Chard VC House after the commander of Rorke`s Drift in South Africa due to him being an engineer, the local TA battalion based there are: 108 (Welsh) Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia). The place is also home to the local branch of the Royal Engineers Association. 

The soldiers on duty were incredibly polite and good humoured throughout and a total credit to their unit and uniform.

After asking permission I took the opportunity to wander about and take few photos.

20mm scale model of Rorke`s Drift

Painting and information about Sergeant Thomas Frank Durrant VC

I was already aware of the story and was able to explain it to my boys, his VC is on display at the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham, Kent

In the grounds you will also find a few interesting bits:

Search lights

Just behind this one you can see the prize of display a 25pdr

Now this gun had been the gate guardian for all the years we lived in Swansea, but I noticed it had gone on our last trip and assumed they had sold it or moved it to a museum somewhere, but it turns out they were just refurbishing it and giving it a new coat of paint.

Dedication plate