Book on roarkes drift

As many men were extracted as possible, the remaining patients perishing in the flames. He received a scalp wound from a zulu assagai at rorke s drift, which, in later years caused him some discomfort. It gained worldwide fame through the film zulu 1964, starring stanley baker, michael caine and. I have read other books about rorkes drift as have other readers, but i found this to contain. The wrong soldiers were awarded victoria cross medals after the british armys battle with the zulus at rorke s drift, while the true heroes went unrecognised, a new bbc film will claim this week. In december 1878 sir bartle frere, the british high commissioner for south africa, issued an ultimatum to cetshwayo, the zulu king, that was designed to be impossible to. Rorkes drift by ian knight 1999, paperback for sale. Astonishing drawings capturing bloody aftermath of rorkes. He was commissioned into the royal regiment of wales 24th41st foot and over the ensuing 30 years served all round the world in command, operations and intelligence appointments. Whilst the film was not a documentary and for the sake of a good story the historical facts may have been. The defence of rorke s drift is considered by historians as a masterly defensive action and. The first half of the book, detailing the progress of the defence of rorkes drift was excellent, combining a riveting narrative, apposite detail, and convincing and thoughtful analysis. Below is a list of books relating to rorkes drift, isandhlwana, the anglo zulu war of 1879 and historic south africa. The successful defence of rorkes drift, which immediately followed the encounter at isandlwana and for which 11 victoria crosses were.

In ever since first seeing zulu as a child it has been my favourite film, and i have found the story of the defence of rorkes drift. Alfred henry harry hook vc 6 august 1850 12 march 1905 was an english recipient of the victoria cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to british and commonwealth forces, for his actions at the battle of rorke s drift. Photo of some of the b company survivors from rorke s drift b company survivors of rorke s drift who had not been repatriated through injury or illness. In 1879, under the command of lieutenant john chard and gonville bromhead, a small company of british soldiers successfully defended the outpost at rorke s drift, a.

The defence of the mission station of rorke s drift, under the command of lieutenants john chard of the royal engineers and gonville bromhead, immediately followed the british armys defeat at the battle of isandlwana on 22 january 1879, and continued into the. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Zulu is a 1964 british epic war film depicting the battle of rorke s drift between the british army and the zulus in january 1879, during the anglozulu war. List of zulu war victoria cross recipients wikipedia.

These 4ground lasercut mdf buildings are capped off with lasercut teddy bear fur which acts as thatch for the roof. The mission at the heart of the rorke s drift set are the two main buildings the storehouse and the hospital. About a hundred men defeated an enemy force 30 or 40 times their size, and 11 of the defenders were awarded britains highest military decoration, the victoria cross. Outnumbered 401 and forced to defend their tiny outpost against an attack by the powerful zulu warriors, it is a stirring story of will and fighting spirit by all fellow braves.

The roof and upper floors lift out giving you total access to the building interiors. The successful british defence of the mission station of rorke s drift, under the command of lieutenants john chard of the royal engineers and gonville bromhead, began when a large contingent of zulu warriors broke off from their main force during the final hour of the british. The garrison was defended by 9 british soldiers with 300 african colonial troops under their command when, on january 22, 1879, they were attacked by a zulu force of nearly. The book covers the lead up to this battle, the preceding disaster, rorke s drift and the outcome. Twas at the camp of rorkes drift and at teatimeand busily engaged in culinary operations was a private.

John laband has long been the accepted authority on anglozulu war studies and his new work, the fall of rorkes drift, is proof of his. The author, col mike snook, really knows his business. Wednesday 22 january 1879 was one of the most dramatic days. The hospital at the western end of the fortifications became the focus for the fighting.

On the same day in history, british forces also pulled off a rearguard stunning victory at the battle of rorke s drift, where 110 men defended a hospital post against 3,0004,000 zulus. The garrisons heroism was no myth, but the victorians lionised rorke s drift to compensate for the debacle at nearby isandhlwana, a british camp where 20,000 zulus killed over 1,000 soldiers on. Photo of some of the b company survivors from rorkes drift. Buy rorke s drift cassell military paperbacks new ed by greaves, adrian isbn. It shows that the move, zulu, aside from being generally correct, when it comes to the participants is wholly a work of fiction.

The true story of the battle of rorkes drift not a lot. Battles of isandlwana and rorkes drift south african. As with any historical subject as emotive as the defence of rorke s drift, it is inevitable that myths will spring up, either as the result of a desire to hide the truth, or simply as a misrepresentation of what actually happened. Butlers defence of rorke s drift 1880 was shown at the royal academy of arts in 1881, attracting a great crush of onlookers. The defence of rorkes drift has gone down in history as one of the gr. The battle at rorke s drift is text book study on courage,perserverance and heroism. Rorkes drift battle was war crime scene world news. Katie stossels book on the battle of rorkes drift is. The welsh soldiers and others at rorke s drift 1879 thu dec 15, 2011 6. I would recommend reading his book on isandlwana first. The battle of rorke s drift the anglozulu war book 2 by james mace 4. The fall of rorkes drift hardback pen and sword books. Today, rorke s drift is the centre of a cottage industry of history books, documentaries, novels, models and video games. Rorkes drift by adrian greaves meet your next favorite book.

Move your mouse around the image and names will appear after a second or so. Below is a list of books relating to rorke s drift, isandhlwana, the anglozulu war of 1879 and historic south africa. The battle of rorke s drift, also known as the defence of rorke s drift, was an engagement in the anglozulu war. Set on fire and stormed by the zulus, it became untenable. The hero of rorkes drift poem by william topaz mcgonagall. The defence of rorke s drift has gone down in history as one of the grandest heroic actions of british colonial wars. The british stand deserves to go down in history as one of the most heroic actions of all time. Eleven vc recipients received their awards for deeds performed during the defence of the small garrison one of the largest number awarded for a single action, and the largest number 7 awarded to a. He first served in the monmouth militia and enlisted into the regular army at monmouth in march 1877 aged 26. Battle of rorkes drift on 22nd january 1879 in the zulu war. Even though the book pointed out the inaccuracies in the movie, my curiosity was piqued. This book is more of an academic text than a novel. It shows how 150 british soldiers, many of whom were sick and wounded patients in a field hospital, successfully held off a force of 4,000 zulu warriors.

So it seems appropriate to reproduce the vintage magazines article, a day in the life of lt john chard, royal engineers 22 january 1879. Horns of the buffalo rorkes drift collectors edition. Rorke s drift has suffered from this over the past, in both favourable and unfavourable ways. An account of the battles of isandhlwana and rorke s drift zululand january 1879 by captain william penn symons isbn.

One might be forgiven for thinking that another addition to the current abundant literature would be pointless, but in this instance rorke s drift. The hero of rorke s drift poem by william topaz mcgonagall. Rorkes drift was an isolated, lightly held, and completely unfortified. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Based on the battle of rorke s drift, this is the famous saga of bcompany 2nd24th regiment south wales borderers. There are, however, many books on the topic of rorke s drift and isandlwana. The battle of rorke s drift, also known as the defence of rorke s drift, was a battle in the anglozulu war. A new perspective by neil thornton is very welcome. The story of a mere 150 british and imperial soldiers defending an isolated outpost against over 3,000 zulu warriors summed up the experience of. Explores the men and action at this most legendary of battles in the anglozulu warthe small garrison based at rorke s drift in south africa is forever immortalized as one of the british armys most glorious moments. Well even let you know about secret offers and sales when you sign up to our emails. I sat down one night recently and read the osprey campaign book by ian knight on rorke s drift. It was fifty years ago that the battle of rorkes drift was immortalised in the film zulu, on the 85th anniversary of the action. The epic story of isandlwana and rorke s drift 1st edition thus by knight, ian isbn.

Rorke s drift sums up some of the best traditions of the british selfimage. A well written book which describes the battle in all its grisly detail. As any zulu war enthusiast will know, there is a plethora of books on the subject and especially regarding the battle of rorke s drift. Preparations for the defence of the small, isolated mission station at rorke s drift, six miles from isandlwana, are under way. What really took hold of me was the wargame notes at the end of the osprey book which suggested doing the game using 1. The defence of rorke s drift is considered by historians as a masterly defensive action and an example of heroism against overwhelming numbers. The heroic defence of the mission station at rorke s drift became the epic action of. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Biographical notes on the soldiers of the 24th foot who were present at isandhlwana and rorke s drift 2223 january 1879 are contained in both the roll call for isandhlwana and rorke s drift by julian whybra, published by roberts medals publications and the. More striking still has been the rediscovery in recent years of rorke s drift men like john fielding or john jobbins by local councils, in commemorations intended to demonstrate that, in the words of one councillor. Read rorke s drift zulu war by ian castle available from rakuten kobo. Public fascination with the battle has continued through books, films and video games. Minute by bloodsoaked minute, the true story of zulu.