Royal Commission report day 19 page 36
The Royal Commission evidence for 13/5/1881
(see also introduction to day 19)
'Const Thomas Kirkham giving evidence'
6858 When you got to the trench what time would it be?— I could not say, I had no idea of the time.
6859 You had been three quarters of an hour there before you went to the railway station, you remained there half an hour or more, now just see if you remember what time it was when you got back to Mr. O'Connor?— I could not say.
6860 How long was it from the first volley fired until you came to the railway station for ammunition?— Perhaps half an hour or three quarters of an hour,
6861 That would make one hour and a quarter—what time would that make it?— A quarter past four , but the time was confused.
6862 What were the exact words that Mr. O'Connor said to you in the trench?— He said, “Kirkham, I recommend you to stay here.”
6863 Did he assign any reason?— No.
6864 Did you tell him you had no ammunition?— Yes.
6865 Had he any suitable ammunition for you?— No, I think the Snider was his.
6866 He recommended you to stay in consequence of being short of necessary material—is that to be inferred?— I could not say.
6867 Could you see the hotel from where you and Mr. O'Connor were then?— Yes.
6868 By sitting down?— No, by standing up.
6869 Would it require him to stand up to see?— Yes.
6870 You could not see it sitting?— No, I think not.
6871 Was it sufficiently light for you to see who was in the trench beside Mr. O'Connor?— I think there was no one there but Mr. O'Connor and the two black trackers.
6872 Was it light enough to see any one else?— Yes.
6873 About how great a distance could you see anybody else — how far in the trench could you distinguish anyone else?— There might be people up the trench further, and we not see them.
6874 As far as you commanded the trench, at what distance could you see?— We could not see up the trench at all.
6875 Why?— The trench comes up at a bend there, and goes off where we were.
6876 Was it in consequence of its bending there that you could not see?— Yes.
6877 Not in consequence of the darkness of the morning?— I think not.
6878 Was it moonlight?— Scarcely any moon, I think.
6879 This would be about a quarter past four ?— How long did you remain, about, in that trench with Mr. O'Connor?— I may have been there an hour.
6880 That would be about a quarter past five ; where did you go then?— Mr. Sadleir was there
6881 Where did you go after you had been in the trench an hour with Mr. O'Connor?— When I went back from the railway station I stayed with Mr. O'Connor till Mr. Sadleir came.
6882 Mr. Sadleir came to you in the trench while you were with Mr. O'Connor in the trench—you will swear that?— Yes.
6883 Was it daylight then?— I think it was about daylight.
6884 What time was it daylight at that time of the year?— I could not say.
6885 This was June?— Perhaps half-past five.
6886 Is it daylight now at six o'clock , and we are in May?— Hardly, I think.
6887 Could you see a little after five in the latter end of June?—(No answer.)
6888 When Mr. Sadleir came, what did you do then?— We talked there for a few minutes, and then he sent me for provisions.
6889 And you went round, and came back to where he was?— Yes.
6890 Did he send you for provisions for himself?— No, for the men.....
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