Rorke's Drift

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by Adrian Greaves


  Accordingly an urgent request was sent from Cape Town for someone to come from Natal who could positively identify the lunatics. An asylum orderly was hastily sent down only to discover that none of the men detained were lunatics. On the contrary, six of the men detained had been engaged on the search for the lunatics and had been the most conscientious in reporting others as madmen.

  Chapter 9

  1 Norman Holme, The Silver Wreath.

  2 See Appendix A for the initial ‘Chard Report’.

  3 Colour Sergeant Bourne receives no mention in Morris’s classic The Washing of the Spears.

  4 See Memorandum from Captain Fleetwood Edwards to Queen Victoria 21 February 1880. Archives of Zululand, Archival Publications International 2000. Vol. 2 p.136.

  5 Curling Letters. Courtesy of the AZWHS.

  6 In later stages of the war other nominations for the VC failed or were seriously delayed where protocol was not strictly followed – for example, see the case of Captain Duck of the Veterinary Corps who was refused a VC for his gallantry at Hlobane on the grounds that ‘he should not have been there’.

  7 The Bromhead Report and two Bromhead letters, see Appendix B, by kind permission of the 24th Regimental Museum, Brecon.

  8 Clery Letter 16 May 1879 – see Greaves and Best, The Curling Letters of the Zulu War, Pen & Sword 2001.

  9 Letter from Rorke’s Drift by Lieutenant Banister dated 27 January 1879.

  10 Adrian Greaves, Isandlwana, Cassell 2001.

  11 The Glyn Report. See Appendix C.

  12 The second Chard Report is reproduced at Appendix A, by kind permission of HM The Queen.

  Chapter 10

  1 Ian Bennett, Eyewitness in Zululand, Greenhill 1989.

  2 Queen Victoria was a great believer in bestowing rewards for loyalty and merit, especially in the military where almost every campaign during her reign saw the issue of specially designed medals and ribbons in recognition of brave or loyal service. Although Queen Victoria had instituted the Distin­guished Conduct Medal for other ranks at the start of the Crimean War, she acknowledged the need of an award for outstanding bravery, one that could be bestowed regardless of rank. The resulting bronze cross, fashioned from the metal of captured Russian guns from Sebastopol, was first presented in June 1857, but there were very few opportunities to win this coveted award. Those officers who did found the road to promotion considerably easier and, as a consequence, many volunteered for active service with the possibility of a VC in mind. Considering the short duration of the Zulu War and its long periods of inactivity, the number of VCs awarded was exceptionally high. Apart from the politics involved, there was another reason. The Zulus did not possess artillery or effective firearms and so most of the fighting was highly visible and close combat, perfect warfare for the brave.

  The award of so many VCs to one regiment for a single action was unprecedented. In earlier wars where there were several acts of bravery, a ballot was held amongst the soldiers themselves to decide who was the most deserving recipient.

  3 Ian Knight, The Sun Turned Black, Watermans 1995.

  4 AZWHS Journal, December 1997. Curiously, when Lord Wolseley presented Bromhead with his Victoria Cross, he did so in the mistaken belief that he was presenting the award to Bromhead’s brother, who had served with Wolseley in Ashanti. See Life of Lord Wolseley by Morris and Arthur 1924.

  5 Letter from Wolseley dated 16 July 1879. See W0327386 (Awards to Commissary Dalton and Dunne).

  6 M. J. Crook, The Evolution of the Victoria Cross, Midas Books 1975.

  7 ibid.

  8 In order to understand how the medal and its bars were awarded, it may be helpful to show what was printed on the reverse of the medal application form.

  The Medal will be granted to the Forces employed against:

  (a) The Gcalekas, Gaikas and other Kaffir Tribes from 26th September 1877 to the 28th June 1878 inclusive. (Year on Clasp 1877–78)

  (b) Against the Pokwane from 21st to 28th January 1878 (Clasp 1878)

  (c) Against the Griquas from 24th April to 13th November 1878 (Clasp 1878)

  (e) Against Sekukuni from 11th November to 2nd December 1879 and against Moirosi’s Stronghold (Clasp 1879)

  Clasps for those who served throughout the conflicts were entitled to fit 1877–78–79 or 1878-79 according to which campaigns they participated in.

  Chapter 11

  1 W. E. Montague, Campaigning in South Africa, 1880.

  2 CO 879/17 no. 218.

  3 W. B. Worsfold, Sir Bartle Frere: a Footnote to the History of the British Empire, 1923.

  4 Richard Cope, The Ploughshare of War, University of Natal Press 1999.

  Chapter 12

  Material courtesy of the Anglo Zulu War Historical Society.

  Chapter 13

  1 See Ref. 6 Chapter 8.

  2 Even more catastrophic, with regards to the numbers of casualties sustained, was the Italian defeat at the hands of Ethiopian tribesman at the battle of Adowa in 1896. The primitively armed Ethiopians killed some 8,000 well-armed soldiers in the barren mountains. The Italian general Baratieri, like Custer and Chelmsford, underestimated the native opponents and all suffered the fatal consequence.

  3 For a comprehensive roll of members of the 1st and 2nd 24th Regiment involved at Rorke’s Drift, see Norman Holme, The Noble 24th, Savannah 1999.

  4 Donald Morris, The Washing of the Spears, Cape 1996.

  Chapter 14

  1 Medal Rolls 1793–1889 of the 24th Foot, South Wales Borderers, J. B. Hayward & Son.

  2 P. E. Abbott, Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1855–1909.

  Chapter 17

  1 AZWHS Journal, December 2000, Article by Dr Peter J. Mitchell.

  2 Sheila Henderson, The Turbulent Frontier as quoted in The Zulu War and the Colony of Natal, edited by G. Chadwick and E. Hobson, 1979.

  3 ibid.

  4 P. Gon, The Road to Isandlwana, London 1979.

  5 Following the battle, Rorke’s Drift suffered torrential rain and it could be presumed that the spent cartridge cases would have been trodden into the mud. During the archaeological excavations of the site during 1993 virtually none were found, even though excavations were conducted to a depth of 100cm. Visitors to the site would certainly have collected mementos lying around, and metal detectors have been used; yet the amount found by the archaeologists seems very low. Perhaps the spent rounds were collected up and deposited elsewhere, but this seems unlikely given the conditions prevailing at the time and that more urgent survival tasks needed to be performed.

  6 J. Laband and P. Thompson, Kingdom in Crisis. The Zulu response to the British Invasion of 1879, Pietermaritzburg: University of Natal Press 1992.

  7 J. J. Guy, 1971 ‘A note on firearms in the Zulu kingdom with special reference to the Anglo-Zulu War 1879’, Journal of African History (4): 557–70.

  8 F. Mechanick, 1979 ‘Firepower and firearms in the Zulu War of 1879’, Military History Journal 4 (6): 218–20.

  9 The fieldwork for this paper was undertaken while Dr Webley was employed at the Natal Provincial Museum Service who rendered their support, both financial and tactical, during the project. Mr G. Dominy, Mr D. Forbes-Milne, Mr F. Roodt and Ms R. Devereux of Museum Service may be singled out for their assistance in facilitating Dr Webley’s fieldwork. Mr N. Ruddiman provided many of the photographs. Grateful thanks also go to the Evangelical Lutheran Community at Rorke’s Drift in particular for their interest in the project and their assistance and support during Dr Webley’s and her team’s stay at the mission station. Mr Bresler kindly undertook an identification of the cartridge cases and spent bullets.

  Appendix F

  1 It is popularly believed that King Cetshwayo had ordered his generals to stay out of Natal but this belief overlooks Cetshwayo’s address to his army. See the account by a Zulu deserter recorded by the Hon. Drummond, a Zulu speaking staff officer on the HQ Staff. The Zulu claimed Cetshwayo had instructed his army to cross the border into Natal. See F
rank Emery, The Red Soldier, Ball Paperbacks, Johannesburg 1977.

  2 In March 2001, the author was able to trace an elderly Zulu, Bantubezwe Ntanzi, whose father had fought against the British at Isandlwana. Bantubezwe Ntanzi has lived his whole life at Isandlwana and he recalled seeing a number of British graves to the left of the spur when he was a young man. He also pointed out the location of several cairns, long since demolished, in the vicinity of the Conical Hill. If nothing else, his account supports the hypothesis that the modern-day cairns at Isandlwana are those that have been relocated since 1879.

  3 See Chapter 17 Archaeological Investigations at the Battlefield.

  Appendix G

  1 The Swedish application was ignored by the British government.

  2 Not published.

  Index

  Adams, Private Robert ref1, ref2, ref3

  Adendorff, Lieutenant ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4

  Allen, Corporal William Wilson, VC ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4

  medal citation ref1, ref2

  medical record ref1

  Anderson, Corporal ref1, ref2, ref3

  Anglo–Zulu War ref1

  Anstey, Captain ref1

  archaeological excavations, Rorke’s Drift ref1, ref2, ref3

  artefactual remains ref1

  background ref1

  location of the Commissariat store ref1

  location of the hospital foundations ref1

  metal-detector survey of the slope of Shiyane (Oskarsberg) ref1

  walls of Fort Bromhead ref1

  AshantiWar ref1

  Ashton, Private James ref1, ref2

  Atkinson, Professor C.T. ref1, ref2

  Attwood, Corporal Francis, DCM ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5

  Bainbridge, Private John ref1

  Bakaza, Chief ref1

  Baker, Stanley ref1

  Banister, Lieutenant George Stanhope ref1, ref2

  Barker, Trooper W. ref1

  Barry, Private Thomas ref1

  Beaconsfield, Earl of ref1

  Beckett, Private William ref1, ref2

  Bellairs, Colonel ref1

  Bennett, Private William ref1

  Bessell, Lance Corporal William ref1

  Black, Brevet Major Wilsone ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5

  Blair-Brown, Surgeon, FRCS ref1

  records ref1, ref2

  report ref1, ref2

  Bly, Private John ref1

  Boast, Alfred ref1

  Boer Volksraad (Council) ref1

  Boer Wars ref1

  Boers ref1, ref2

  great trek to settle in Zululand ref1, ref2, ref3

  occupy Rorke’s Drift area ref1

  Boundary Commission sits at Rorke’s Drift ref1

  Boundary Commission findings advised to Zulus ref1

  Bourne, Colour Sergeant (later Lieutenant Colonel) Frank, DCM ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8

  BBC radio interview ref1

  on desertion of Natal Native Contingent ref1

  life of ref1

  roll of defenders ref1, ref2, ref3

  Bourne Report see Appendix E

  Bray, Colonel E.W. ref1

  Brecon ref1

  British Army

  1st (King’s) Dragoon Guards ref1

  6th Regiment of Foot ref1

  17th Lancers ref1, ref2

  24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot ref1, ref2

  becomes South Wales Borderers ref1, ref2

  Chillianwallah Colours ref1

  county of origin of soldiers ref1

  origins and history ref1

  Queen’s Colour ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8

  regimental museum ref1, ref2, ref3

  whether a ‘Welsh’ regiment ref1

  24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, 1st Battalion ref1, ref2

  C Company ref1

  D Company ref1

  G Company ref1, ref2

  re-formation of ref1

  re-formation of, officers ref1

  24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, 2nd Battalion ref1

  B Company ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6

  F Company ref1

  G Company ref1, ref2

  H Company ref1, ref2

  Centre Column ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6

  Coastal Column ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4

  Commissariat and Transport Department ref1

  First Division ref1, ref2

  flogging ref1

  Flying Column ref1, ref2

  life in Africa ref1

  Native forces ref1, ref2 see also Natal Native Contingent; Natal Native Horse

  Northern Column ref1, ref2, ref3

  officers ref1

  rations, daily ref1

  recruits ref1

  reserve columns ref1

  rocket battery ref1, ref2

  Rorke’s Drift, forces engaged at ref1

  Royal Artillery ref1

  N Battery, 5th Brigade ref1, ref2, ref3

  Royal Engineers ref1, ref2

  5th Company ref1

  Royal Regiment of Wales ref1

  Second Division ref1, ref2

  soldiers’ uniforms at Rorke’s Drift ref1

  South Wales Borderers ref1, ref2

  sports activities ref1

  transport ref1

  Zulu army, engaging ref1

  British policy of confederation ref1

  British reaction to news of Rorke’s Drift

  and Isandlwana ref1

  Broad Arrow, The ref1

  Bromhead, Lieutenant (later Major) Gonville, VC ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9

  awarded VC ref1, ref2

  life of ref1

  medal citation ref1

  Bromhead Report ref1 see also Appendix B

  Bromwich, Private Joseph ref1, ref2

  Browne, Lieutenant Edward S., VC ref1, ref2

  Buckley, Private Thomas ref1

  Buffalo river ref1, ref2

  Buller, Colonel Redvers ref1

  Bulwer, Lieutenant Governor Sir Henry ref1, ref2

  Burke, Private Thomas ref1

  Bushe, Private James ref1, ref2

  Byrne, Acting Commissariat Officer Louis ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5

  Cambridge, Field Marshal His Royal Highness the Duke of ref1, ref2, ref3

  Camp, Private William Henry ref1

  Campbell, Sub-Inspector ref1

  Cane, John ref1

  Cantwell, Bombardier (Gunner) John, DCM, RA ref1, ref2, ref3

  Carey, Lieutenant (later Captain) Jageel Brenton ref1, ref2, ref3

  Carnarvon, Lord ref1

  Carrington, Captain Frederick ref1

  casualties, British ref1, ref2, ref3 see also medical treatment for the wounded

  24th Regiment, 1st Battalion ref1

  24th Regiment, 2nd Battalion ref1

  Commissariat Department ref1

  casualties, Zulu ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4

  Cetshwayo, King ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4

  coronation of ref1

  death of ref1

  ordered to abandon claim to Zululand ref1

  reaction to Boers settling ref1, ref2

  response to Frere’s ultimatum ref1

  second Zululand invasion ref1, ref2

  Chard, Revd Charles E. ref1, ref2

  Chard, Lieutenant (later Lieutenant Colonel) John Rouse Merriott, VC, RE ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7, ref8, ref9, ref10

  death and funeral of ref1

  early life and army career ref1

  impresses Queen Victoria ref1

  medal citation ref1

  premature report of his death ref1

  prepares for Zulu attack ref1, ref2

  receives news of Isandlwana ref1

  report on bullet wounds ref1

  reports on battle ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5 see also Appendix A

  roll of defenders ref1, ref2, ref3

  at Rorke’s Drift ref1

  suffering from cancer r
ef1

  as viewed by others ref1, ref2

  Chard, Lieutenant Colonel Wheaton M.M. ref1, ref2

  Chelmsford, Lord see also Thesiger, Lieutenant General Sir Frederic Augustus

  army career ref1

  as brigadier general commanding 1st Infantry Division in South Africa ref1

  convenes Court of Enquiry at Helpmekaar ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4

  deals with army’s transport problems ref1, ref2

  death of ref1, ref2

  early life ref1

  at Helpmekaar ref1

  at Isandlwana ref1, ref2, ref3

  Isandlwana, reaction to ref1

  memo to Duke of Cambridge regarding ‘Cetywayo’ ref1

  on Natal Native Contingent mutiny ref1, ref2

  preparations for attack by Zulus ref1

  replaced by Sir Garnet Wolseley ref1, ref2

  requests report from Glyn on Rorke’s Drift ref1

  return to Rorke’s Drift ref1, ref2, ref3

  second invasion of Zululand ref1, ref2, ref3

  Chermside, Assistant Commissary ref1

  Chester, Private Thomas ref1

  Chick, Private James ref1, ref2

  Clayton, Private Thomas ref1

  Clery, Major ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5, ref6, ref7

  comments on officers ref1

  Clyde ref1

  Cochrane, Lieutenant William ref1

  Coghill, Lieutenant Nevill Josiah, VC ref1, ref2, ref3, ref4, ref5

 

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