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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[GeeRam]

Of course Lieutenants John Chard and Lt Gonville Bromhead were both Royal Engineers

Only Chard was RE, Bromhead wasn't, he was 24th.

[Daan Kemp]

Rorke's Drift?

[Gil Boyd]

Crikey, bit of Home Schooling there apologies, got the spelling wrong on Rorkes and both Engineers of a fashion!!

[GeeRam]

Crikey, bit of Home Schooling there apologies, got the spelling wrong on Rorkes and both Engineers of a fashion!!

It was one of my Dad's favourite films, and he was also ex-RE, and he finally got to fulfill a long held wish to visit Rorke's Drift, back in 1990 when my Mum&Dad went out to SA to visit old friend, who lived there and happened to be ex-REME.

[Ovidio]

I read Crossing the Buffalo River just before the Covid. Very interesting. Now I have another book... I love that part of history.

[Daan Kemp]

The battlefield visit to Isandlwana, Rorkes Drift and other close by places are truly awesome, especially if you have a good guide. Standing at Isandlwana on a small hill, I felt the air move - busy but quiet, something wanted to be noticed, see the wind in the leaves but there isn't any wind. Erie. Got the same feeling at Amajuba and Spioenkop battlefiels. Absolutely worth while visit.

[Ovidio]

I'll be in RSA as soon as possible again. Will go there see Isandlwana, then on a hog hunting trip with friends (farm infested, so they say) and in the spare time also see if I can see a couple customers
I've been in Centurion lots of times in the past.

[Gil Boyd]

I know its frowned upon and I wouldn't condone it, but what a place to do a metal detector sweep with some real gear, imagine the stuff it would yield!!

[Ovidio]

I started thinking, seriously, about a Martini Henry.
OMG, no peace to be had in this world...