DEFENCE OF RORKE'S DRIFT. January 22, 1879. (1879)

Pamphlet.

22pp.

This pamphlet, detailing the dramatic and now legendary defence of Rorke's Drift, was published shortly after the battle by the Natal Mercury Press in Durban, situated a mere 260 kilometres from what was then the wild frontier and theatre of war. It was written by an "eye-witness", now known to have been George Smith from a signed and inscribed copy in the South African Library. It contains a valuable roll of officers, non-commissioned officers and men present at the defence of Rorke's Drift and records 141 names, two being George Smiths. One was a sergeant and the other a chaplain and Vicar of Estcourt.

The Battle of Rorke's Drift (January 22-23, 1879) was a famous engagement in the Anglo-Zulu War where about 150 British soldiers successfully defended a mission station against thousands of Zulu warriors, becoming a symbol of British heroism and resilience after the devastating defeat at Isandlwana earlier that day. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the defenders, led by Lieutenants John Chard and Gonville Bromhead, created makeshift defenses and repelled fierce Zulu assaults, resulting in heavy Zulu casualties and earning 11 Victoria Crosses for bravery.

In the 1964 film Zulu, Michael Caine, in his first starring role, portrayed Lieutenant Gonville.

4 copies recorded in SABIB.

A very scarce and important artefact from one of the most dramatic events in the Anglo-Zulu War.