Rorke's Drift
Page 44
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