Probably everybody on the board has seen the films "Zulu" and "Zulu Dawn". "Zulu Dawn" depicts the battle of Isandlwana, one of the greatest disasters to befall the British Army in the Victorian era. The Zulus killed over 1400 men including 6 companies of the 24th Foot (South Wales Borderers) about 530 all ranks. An officer of the 24th, Lieutenant Melville was ordered to flee with the colours but lost his horse and the colours in the Buffalo River. Dragged from the river by another officer Lt Coghill, but unable to flee further the two made a last stand together on the riverbank. A side street near Collins Barracks in Cork is named Melville Tce. I wonder was it named after the unfortunate Lt Melville. At the time there was no facility to award gallantry medals posthumously. When the rules were changed many years later both men were awarded the VC.
That afternoon, fter the victory at Isandlwana part of the Zulu army swept down on a mission station which was being used by the British as a hospital, at a place called Rorkes Drift. The senior officer at the post was a Royal Engineer named Lt Chard. The only other officer was a deaf officer of the 24th named Lt Bromhead. With a unit of about 300 men-the patients from the hospital, medical orderlies, cooks and wagon drivers, Lt Chard commanded the defence of Rorkes Drift for the rest of the day and through the night. 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded for this feat of arms, the most for any one action.
And all this took place 125 years ago today- 22 January 1879.
That afternoon, fter the victory at Isandlwana part of the Zulu army swept down on a mission station which was being used by the British as a hospital, at a place called Rorkes Drift. The senior officer at the post was a Royal Engineer named Lt Chard. The only other officer was a deaf officer of the 24th named Lt Bromhead. With a unit of about 300 men-the patients from the hospital, medical orderlies, cooks and wagon drivers, Lt Chard commanded the defence of Rorkes Drift for the rest of the day and through the night. 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded for this feat of arms, the most for any one action.
And all this took place 125 years ago today- 22 January 1879.
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