RORKES DRIFT - VICTORIA CROSSES OF MONMOUTH

[Gil Boyd]

Thought this piece might evoke some interest, especially when one considers the very same rifles, the Martini–Henry a breech-loading single-shot lever-actuated rifle used by those soldiers were also used by the Zulus to fire down onto the Drift and kill many soldiers. The rifles were taken off the battle field of Isandlwana, where over 5,000 soldiers were massacred, by rifles taken from other slaughters of that campaign.

The very same Martini-Henry was originally modified American Peabody (Patent of 1862), a single-shot, hinged falling-block rifle, developed after an exhaustive series of tests during 1866 to 1871.

Eleven Victoria Crosses (VC) and five Distinguished Conduct Medals (DCM) were awarded to soldiers of Rorke's Drift. The most awarded in one battle in British history. If you have never been to the Regimental museum of the 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment in Brecon , it is exceptional.

Of course Lieutenants John Chard, Royal Engineers and Lt Gonville Bromhead, who without their ability to reinforce the isolated Drift from attack, they too would have been massacred along with all the other defeats in the country at the time.
I attach some interesting pieces I copied from the museum which answer so many areas of the battle, and hope you find it interesting, especially when you next watch Zulu the film with
Stanley Baker and Michael Caine as the two officers in conflict as to who had seniority!!!

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