Sudanese Dervish Orphan Who Became the British Army's First Black Soldier in 1899
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- čas přidán 20. 06. 2024
- James Francis Durham became the regular British Army’s first black soldier.
No mean achievement in 1899.
More amazingly, he was an orphan from Sudan whose father had been killed fighting the British at the Battle of Ginnis.
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Other videos from Britain’s involvement in Sudan that you might enjoy:
The Battle of Ginnis 1885
The Battle of El Teb 1884(plus background as to why British were in Sudan)
• The Battle of El Teb 1...
The Battle of Abu Klea (“The Gatling’s jammed and the Colonel’s dead”)
• The Battle of Abu Klea...
The Nile Expedition 1885
• The Nile Expedition to...
The Second Suakin Expedition on the Red Sea Coast
• The Second Suakin Expe...
Gordon of Khartoum (A very Victorian hero)
• General Charles Gordon...
The Battle of Omdurman (Gordon is avenged and the British conquer Sudan)
• What Happened At The ...
The story begins at the battle of Ginnis, fought on the 30th December 1885, in northern Sudan.
On the 1st January 1886, as the Dervish survivors fled south, a mounted unit drawn from the Durham Light Infantry led by Lt. De Lisle attacked a Dervish boat on the River Nile trying to escape back into Sudan
Those on board the boat fled leaving a tiny 2- year old boy behind.
The Sergeants of the Durham Light Infantry adopted the orphan boy and he was to find his own small place in British Military History.
The Sergeants gave the boy a nickname: “Jimmy Dervish.”
However, when they were posted to India they decided to take the boy with them rather than dump in in an orphanage in Cairo.
Jimmy was formally baptised with a new English name. He took the names of his two carers: James (after Sgt. James Birley) Francis (after Sergeant Major Joseph Francis) and Durham from the Regiment’s name:
James Francis Durham spent the next 10 years with the regiment in India attending school with the other children.
In 1898 he applied to join the British Army.
Whilst there were plenty of black soldiers in colonial regiments none had ever joined the British Army on the same terms as white recruits.
James Durham’s application was rejected.
But the sergeants successfully appealed to Queen Victoria and in July 1899, James Francis Durham was formally enrolled as Boy Soldier number 6758 in the British army.
He was the first black man to ever join the regular British Army on the same terms as his white comrades.
He would stay with the Durham Light Infantry for the rest of his career.
Finally, in 1902, the 2nd battalion Durham Light Infantry were recalled to Britain. They had been away since 1884.
Whilst on leave back in North East England he met and married a local woman, Jane Green in 1908.
Sadly James died of pneumonia, back in Ireland on the 8th August 1910.
He was buried with full military honours in the graveyard in the town of Fermoy, Ireland..
Just 3 weeks later his wife, Jane, gave birth to their baby daughter. She was christened: Francis.
Jimmy’s daughter, Francis Durham lived in Bishop Auckland until her death in 1998.
Whilst she married, she never had any children.
In the last 100 years, many black soldiers have joined the British Army, but Jimmy was the first black man to serve in the regular British Army on equal terms with his white comrades:
Private James Francis Durham RIP
#jamesfrancisdurham #firstblacksoldier #britisharmy
Chapters
0:00 Battle of Ginnis 1885
1:30 "Jimmy Dervish"
3;50 Sergeants support Jimmy
4:45 James Francis Durham
6:10 Applies to join army
7:45 First black regular soldier
10:08 Army Temperance Association
12:14 Death
14:40 The History Chap
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My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.
History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or CZcams animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"
Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
What a fantastic story. Having served for along time in the army I had heard of this lad but note the story of his life. The loyalty and compassion shown to this lad is mazing and I think , in best tradition of the British Army. A sad ending for a promising soldier come officer. Thanks Chris for another part of the puzzle.
Thanks for watching and I'm pleased that it has helped put another piece in your jigsaw of knowledge.
Brilliant Story. Respect to Jimmy and to those who adopted him.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Absolutely!
What a great story. He had 25 years on Earth, 23 of them with the Durhams. What a 25 years he had!
Good way of looking at it
@@TheHistoryChap brilliant as usual chris.
What a fantastic story, very sad to know Jimmy only got 25 years, but what a life. May he never be forgotten and forever R.I.P 🙏
Thanks for taking the time to comment
25 years of life but what an amazing 25 years. Rest in Peace Jimmy.
Fantastic story! My father, a veteran of Vietnam, often tells me - usually when he's in his cups - about how they did their best to rescue orphans, even though they themselves were likely responsible for creating the orphans.
Goes to show that, even in the jaws of Hell, there is still some good in the human heart.
I like your story and especially your comment about the human heart.
This was an excellent summary. Thank you. I am especially interested in the lives of individuals in history. This passion was sparked when I was a small child. My Grandmother would share stories of her youngest brother, who died of wounds near Epernay in 1917. I subsequently learned much more about my Great Uncle and included some of this research in my final Thesis. Thank you History Chap for focussing on this fine gentleman.
Tom, thank you for watching and I'm glad that you enjoyed.
What a great story and it shows that even the most hardened soldiers have a soft heart. Stay well and thanks.
Yes it does show that. Thanks for good wishes.
Wow, there was a story! It speaks well of the Durham light infantry,it speaks well of James Francis Durham, and it even speaks well of Queen Victoria. Thanks for sharing
My pleasure. Thank you for watching
Good lad's from the Light Infantry, many happy memories during the 5 year's I was with them.
These are the stories that make what you produce so very special. I've said it before so I apologize for being repetitive, but when you write about history you make it breath. You bring it to life and I could almost believe I know these people you write about. This is what I've always loved about history, the human element to it, not just a list of facts.
Chad, thank you for those very kind words
That’s an amazing factual storey and tremendously relevant and interesting for for lots of good and bad reasons.
I for one am incredibly proud of James Durham and can never forget him.I will never forget this happy and equally sad storey.
It must have been up hill for this chap all of his short but powerful life.Lucky Jim never forgotten x Thank You History Chap ! This well narrated presentation stays proudly with me for life.
Humanity at its most beautiful natural and at its Best .
Bloody Marvellous.
Very kind of you. Thanks for your support
history is about humans, this is a wonderful example of British compassion and gentleness that makes human history so compelling. thank you for telling this story it is food for compassionate and genuine hearts.
Glad you enjoyed this story from Britain’s past.
I love these episodes, please keep these stories coming!
Will do. I want to mix the big events and personalities with lesser known stories.
So glad l found this post .I'm from Bishop Auckland Co Durham and know quite a lot about Jimmy Durham especially as I'm also ex Light Infantry. I was talking a few years ago to a district nurse who looked after Jimmy's daughter who was then a elderly lady .. the nurse said his daughter had a lovely skin complexion and now knowing about who her father was she said that explained it .
Wow, thanks for sharing. Suddenly makes the story very real.
My workmate from Durham has a horrible black and white splotchy complexion. And I was wondering for a while. Guess my friend is just a Durham native or a black Viking. His nose is Anglo though.
@@redtobertshateshandles most town and village names in Co Durham are Anglo Saxon so there's more chance your friend being Saxon than Viking
I'm glad people can still hear about Jimmy Durham. I only knew about him from visits to the Durham Light Infantry museum, which is sadly closed. I believe that the battle of Ginnis was the last time the British army fought in red tunics.
It was. Check out my video on the Battle of Ginnis.
I'm sudanaise thanks for your good work what an story keep on
Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.
Brilliant story! Jimmy Durham.. formed by the Durham Light Infantry.. a great man!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
I live in California and I've been fascinated with British Victorian campaigns since 1985. That's why I collect the medals. Time for another mutiny medal
Good on you! :)
Thank you for sharing such a compelling and beautiful story of humanity trumping the tragedy of war. A reminder that we can all learn from.
Indeed it is. Thanks for sharing those thoughtful words.
Brilliant. Utterly brilliant story of our past. Love it.
Thank you.
Thanks Chris, another brilliant story, Cheers
Nobody does it better! Great story and, as usual, even better storytelling.
Very kind of you. Thanks for watching
Fascinating. Thanks as always.
Thank you.
What a moving story! Thank you for sharing this Chris.
Glad you enjoyed. Have a great weekend
A most excellent video. Thank you!!
Glad you liked it!
Excellent summary. Thank you.
My pleasure
What a story Chris. Thanks for sharing, brilliant as usual.
My pleasure
What a fascinating story , loved it , thank Chris, 👍
My pleasure
Very interesting. Thanks for upload.
My pleasure
Fantastic history lesson.
Thank you 😊
It's my pleasure. Really pleased you are enjoying.
Great story and piece of history! Thank you for bringing it to us.
My pleasure
G'Day to you Chris ,well done ,great story,very thought provoking , thanks again!
Paul, thanks for taking the time to comment. Glad you enjoyed it
What an amazing story. Congrats on another excellent video about a topic I was unaware of
Thanks
Please keep up those amazing stories that I've never knew before... Amazing job
Glad you are enjoying them
Mark Felton used to be my go to historian. But no longer. We have a new King of the Historians now......
I feel the same way, I use to watch him religiously but unfortunately, he has kind of run out of the content he covers.
Wow, that is praise indeed. Thank you very much.
@@manindisgiuze7780 plus his videos are now so short they lack any kind of depth.
@@TheHistoryChap You're just better mate, get over it lol 😏
for 1700 -1900 history this is the best channel i have seen i have watched some of Mark Felton, i find alot of people dont cover this period or if they do not from the british perspective?
Fascinating. Thank you. Xx
My pleasure.
Wonderful and uplifting video.
Thank you.
Fantastic episode.
Thanks for watching.
Incredible story, and very well told
This type of gold keeps me (and I’m sure many others) coming back to your channel
Bravo
Thanks for your support
What an excellent and emotive video. Thank you so much for posting. Here's to Jimmy Durham.
Have a great weekend
Am so happy I found your site, sir. Love it! Very well done with information, illustrations and subject matter. Please keep them coming. Regards,
Thank you for your support. Lots of exciting talks planned for the coming year
What a wonderful story , how life has twists and blessings , and the hearts of men , to look after a little lad , love protect and support him and his dreams .... and a fine lad indeed James Francis Durham. Thank you for sharing this good tale uplifting , Chris.
Thank you for an excellent bit of history
Very kind of you. Glad you enjoyed.
Awww man. That was a fab story that choked me up a bit. Thanks. Really enjoy your stories.
Glad you enjoyed it
Another magnificent video on a totally unknown story. Thank you sir for your invaluable work. Long may it continue.
Thanks for those kind words of support.
Great video bro. Alot of great info 👍🏾👍🏾👊🏽👊🏽
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
A very special story. Thank you for sharing it
It’s my pleasure. Thank you for watching
What a nice tribute. Thanks for what you do.
Glad you enjoyed it.
One of the best military stores Ive ever heard, Well done!
Thank you very much
Wonderful Chris. I never knew any of this. Thank you!
Glad you found it interesting
What a great story and so well told.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to watch it.
The kindness and love shown to Jimmy by the Serjeants Mess of the DLI is in keeping with the best attributes of the Army. A moving story and saddening that he died so young.
Thanks for commenting
A heart warming story of the compassion of the Victorian British regular army. Only in the UK. Compare with USA black soldiers in WW2. Thank you for this story, and God bless Jimmy and his daughter
Paul, that is a good comparison. Maybe I need to tell the story of the "Battle" of Bamber Bridge from WW2
@SalNova15 You can't knock the whole people because of one incident. What about Operation Blue Star, then?
@SalNova15 Typical.
@SalNova15 Whatever.
@SalNova15 Todstend.
History class has never gotten better! Thanks for teaching me more and more about all the wars I know nothing about!
Glad you are enjoying my videos. Thanks for watching & commenting.
What a great story - I have learned a lot, thank you!
My pleasure. Thank you for watching
A wonderful story ❤️ I appreciate that you shared it with everyone. I have learned never to underestimate the power of the love of children and soldiers who care for them. You were right on the mark, history is made by ordinary people.
Thank you for taking the time to comment
Beautiful story wonderfully told
Very kind of you
Lovely tale, well told. Really enjoy your videos, keep them coming please!
Will do. Thanks for watching
What a great story and what a great bloke. Thanks Chris...see you soon
Gerard, thanks for watching.
Excellent thank you.
Thank you.
Great and heartwarming story!
Glad you enjoyed the story.
What a story!!! History is truly a beautiful thing; for from all of it's wars, peace arises. From all of it's death, life flourishes. From all of it's hatred, love blossoms and blooms.
As a native Sudanese who had great grandparents who fought both on the Dervish army and the Sudanese brigade of the British army, I am touched, proud and humbled all at once
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
What a lovely but sad tale. Thanks Chris.
My pleasure. Thank you for taking the time to write
Side speeches to the main story are often the most exciting. Thanks for this one.
Glad you enjoyed
A great story indeed thanks for sharing.
My pleasure
Excellent and a superbly told story
Very kind of you.
muy linda historia gracias por compartirla
What a fantastic story thanks for telling us about this great man and his short life
My pleasure
Fascinating story, great story, and as usual great story telling.
Glad you enjoyed
Remarkable story, thanks for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your support. Don't forget live chat on Friday 1pm (UK)
@TheHistoryChap I'll try & stay awake....or get up early.
The lecture on the Stuart's was fantastic.
Really great video
I enjoyed researching it.
Excellent video 📹
A beautiful story.
His daughter had a long beautiful life.
Thank you for taking the time to comment
Upvoted. Subscribed. Great content. Keep it up.
Thanks for your support.
Thanks for a wonderful and beautiful story - even though ending sadly.
Thank you for watching.
Hi H.C YOUR VIDEOS are so interesting you have got a real talent I've learnt so much from watching your channel thank you so much.
it's my pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Absolutely loved that story!
Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for watching
Ok..i stumbled across your channel today...u can bet ill be listening to all your episodes while driving my semi. Great stuff....
Glad you are enjoying.
Very instructive. Love is invincible.
Thanks for watching my video
Great story as always
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it
A fantastic story, thanks! Regards from Sweden.
Thanks for watching.
That was an awesome story Chris. I love your channel and can"t wait for your new Zulu War and Boer War stories. Thanks
My pleasure. Thanks for your support
Great historical review of a noteworthy achievement of the Briish Army.
Thanks for watching & I am glad that you enjoyed it.
My grandfather and his brother were British Army orphans around this time. Super interested in this video. Thanks from Australia.
Hello Australia! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching
thankyou for this story,
My pleasure
If young black men needed a man to look up to they wouldn't wrong trying to live up to this gentleman. Far better than some gangsta rapper by a country mile.
Thanks for taking the time to comment
Great Story, Thank you
My pleasure
I luv British empire history ,you have a great channel…cheers from 🇨🇦
Thanks for your kind words
What an interesting story and it was very enjoyable. It was great.
Thank you very much
A beautiful story!!!
Glad you enjoyed it
Great story!
Glad you enjoyed it
I began my military life in the Light Infantry " Durhams." As a reservist before joining the regular armed force's. This puts the Durham lad's in a very good light because where we come from everyone is welcome.
To a certain extent that is.
Thanks for sharing.
Very interesting!
Glad you enjoyed it.
An amazing and very interesting story
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching
One word Excellent
Thank you.
I’d love to see your take about the Ghurkas in the British Army. I’m American and a Veteran here. But they amaze me . Best soldiers in the World
That’s for the suggestion. Will add to my list. I bet a lot of people will be interested
Love this story!
Thank you for watching
There needs to be a movie about him
Great idea.
My great grandfather could be an excellent example of a pox ridden British solder who was kicked out of the Army for drunkenness. I've seen his record, even though my dad tried to hide it.
thanks so much
Thanks for watching
A very moving story.
Thank you.
This is a very interesting and enjoyable story just goes to show you it doesn't matter the color of your skin it's what's in your heart and in your mind it makes a great soldier and thank you for this great story
Nick, that is a thought provoking comment. Thanks for taking the time to post.
Here in Australia, we have suntans. My workmate is from Durham, and he's got black splotches all over him. His brother visited Southern USA and a car load of racists yelled out " Get on the right footpath n......". Agree 100%.
A Very interesting piece of history. The Regiment is one Family.
Thanks for taking the time to comment