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Tuesday 22 January 2019

One hundred and forty years ago today ...

... the Battle of Isandlwana took place and the defence of Rorke's Drift began.

The Battle of Isandlwana.
The Defence of Rorke's Drift.
The story of both these actions is well-known, thanks in no small part to the films ZULU DAWN and ZULU. Whilst the former is a very worthy film that tries to explain how and why the Zulu War started and covers the events if the Battle of Isandlwana, the latter is a tale of almost mythical heroism in the face of overwhelming odds.

ZULU is one of my favourite films, even though it is nowhere near as historically accurate as ZULU DAWN, and if time allows, I will be watching it today.

ZULU's historical 'errors' include ...
  • The majority of the soldiers who defended Rorke's Drift were not drawn from the South Wales Borderers (that regiment did not come into existence until the Childers Army Reforms of 1881) but were from its predecessor regiment, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment.
  • There were more Irish than Welsh soldiers at Rorke's Drift.
  • The Reverend De Witt was not a drunk who left before the Zulus arrive. He stayed and helped tend the wounded.
  • The was no Miss De Witt at Rorke's Drift.
  • The senior officer at Rorke's Drift on the morning of 22nd January was Major Henry Spalding, General Chelmsford's Quartermaster General. When news of the Battle of Isandlwana reached the post, he left Lieutenant Chard in command whilst he went to hurry up the British reinforcements that were en route from Helpmekaar. He chose Lieutenant Chard to act in his place because Chard's Commission pre-dated that of Lieutenant Bromhead.
  • Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead was placed in command of the members of the 24th Foot that had been left behind at Rorke's Drift because his hearing was seriously impaired and there were fears that he would not be able to hear the words of command during a battle.
  • In the film Lieutenant John Rouse Merriott Chard appears to show tremendous leadership qualities. This is somewhat at variance with the opinion of some of those who knew him. For example, Sir Evelyn Wood (who commanded the second invasion of Zululand) called him 'a useless officer' who was 'a dull, heavy man, scarcely able to do his regular work'.
  • Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne was not a middle-aged, grizzled veteran. He was a 23-year-old and at the time he was the youngest soldier in the British Army to hold that rank. After the battle he refused a Commission, but later took one, ending his career as a Lieutenant Colonel. He was recalled to the Colours in 1914 and commanded the School of Musketry in Dublin. He died on VE Day in 1944 ... just six years before I was born!
  • Acting Assistant Commissary James Dalton had a greater role in the actual defence of Rorke's Drift than depicted in the film. He was a retired and very experienced Non-Commissioned Officer (he had been a sergeant in the 85th Foot), and it is thought that it was his suggestion that the post be fortified.
  • Private Henry Hook was not a drunken soldier with a history of misdemeanours. He had signed the pledge and was a teetotaller, and was regarded as a very steady soldier. On leaving the Army he was found work at the British Museum as an 'inside duster', later being put in charge of the Left Umbrella Office.
Despite all of the above, it is still a great film ... and one worth watching regularly.

26 comments:

  1. Excellent post Bob. One could add that it is highly unlikely that Men of Harlech was sung either! If anything was sung during the battle of Rorke's Drift it would have been the Warwickshires' song 'A Warwickshire Lad. Regarding Zulu Dawn, I'm always impressed when I watch it with the accuracy of the irregular units portrayed (NNH, FLH, NMP etc). Cheers, Anthony

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    Replies
    1. Anthony Morton (Anthony),

      Cheers! I include a quiz about the film ZULU in a lecture I give about Freemasonry in the British Army (both Chard and Bromhead were Masons) and only once has anyone known all the answers. It turned out that he was the curator of a military museum!

      I like ZULU DAWN because it show a much truer picture of the forces employed in the invasion of Zululand, even if there are one or two examples of miscasting (I am thinking of Burt Lancaster's portrayal of Durnford in particular).

      All the best,

      Bob

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  2. Bob,
    In the past I have been very interested in Colonial times and particularly the Zulu period. Back in 1984 I built a wargames-diorama of Rorke's Drift in 1/72nd Scale complete for my ESCI Zulu War British (with Conversions) and ESCI Zulus...it then all featured prominently in my Book- alas in B&W. 'Zulu' the Movie is certainly a Classic -yes, I have known about the inaccuracies- though I overlook them regardless and consider ZULU to be an epic. Regards. KEV.

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    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      I've enjoyed Colonial wargaming for nearly forty years, and would have loved to have seen your diorama. As to ZULU ... well it is one of my favourite films, and find that watching it always raises my spirits.

      All the best,

      Bob

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    2. Bob,
      I still have some color photos of my Rorke's Drift- in 1/72nd -taken with the older Pentax SLR Camera...I should post the photos up some time for you to have a look at them. Cheers. KEV.

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    3. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      I look forward to seeing the photographs.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. Two excellent films! The one I like best is usually the one I am watching at the time.

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    1. Ross Mac,

      If I had to rate them, ZULU would come first, with ZULU DAWN a close runner-up.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  4. I happened to be in London on business and that's where I saw ZULU! When it first came out. It was also my first experience in smoking being allowed in movie theaters, never having been to a movie in Great Britain before. My second opportunity came during the I RA problems and it was the first time I had ever been body searched before going to a movie! Ah! Adventure. Oh! I also remember being flabbergasted when, haven given the cabbie the address of a famous Wargame hobby shop, the cabbie said "Oh you are a wargamer are you?" In the states no one except fellow hobbyists would have a clue as to what you were going on about.

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    1. Dick Bryant,

      I had to wait until ZULU went on general release before I could see it in our local cinema.

      Being searched became the norm during the height of the IRA's bombing campaign in the UK ... and having being close to two bombs that went off (one in a Woolwich and one in Eltham), I always accepted being searched without demur.

      London black cab drivers have to pass a very strict test that is known as 'The Knowledge'. To pass they have to learn the locations of thousands of locations - including wargame shops! - in London and the fastest routes between them.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  5. Hook was a good soldier but did receive the VC for his part helping evacuate the wounded during the battle. He was posted in the hospital as a sentry and was not a drunk.

    Bourne was affectionately called "The Kid" by his men.

    The movie, despite its inaccuracies (grievous in the case of Hook) does capture the event well.

    One of my favorite scenes was at roll call after the battle...
    Bourne: "Hitch. Hitch. Hitch? You are alive. I saw you this morning!"
    Hitch: "Why thank you very much, sir!"
    Bourne: "Just a simple aye will do."

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    Replies
    1. John,

      Who was it who said that if given the choice between printing the truth or printing the legend, then the legend was what you printed? The film is legendary, as is the story it tells, I can certainly live with the inaccuracies because they don't detract in any way from my enjoyment of the film.

      Hook was a real hero and well deserved his VC. Unlike some of the other recipients, his life didn't end badly.

      My favourite scenes are probably the ones where Bourne replies to the question from the young soldier about why they are there, and his reply to Chard's comment about 0.45 Boxer cartridge.

      All the best,

      Bob

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    2. Pte. Thomas Cole: Why is it us? Why us?
      Colour Sergeant Bourne: Because we're here, lad. Nobody else. Just us.

      Colour Sergeant Bourne: It's a miracle.
      Lieutenant John Chard: If it's a miracle, Colour Sergeant, it's a short chamber Boxer Henry point 45 caliber miracle.
      Colour Sergeant Bourne: And a bayonet, sir, with some guts behind.

      Both great quotes courtesy of IMDB.

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    3. And the other proper quote...
      Colour Sergeant Bourne: Hitch... Hitch, I saw you. You're alive.
      Pte. Fred Hitch: I am? Oh, thanks very much.

      Delete
    4. John,

      Cheers! Thanks for the quotations.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  6. Bob, have you seen the memorial to Chard in Rochester Cathedral?

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    1. Nigel Drury,

      It's on my list of things to do the next time I visit Rochester.

      All the best,

      Bob

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  7. Cheers Bob
    You have gotten my Colonial juices flowing!

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    Replies
    1. Geordie an Exile FoG,

      This is excellent news!

      All the best,

      Bob

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  8. Hi BOB,
    Good News....If you go to my 'TINKERTON PROJECT' (Blog) you will find my 1984 Model of RORKE'S DRIFT in 1/72nd Scale...as promised. I'd like to know your thoughts Bob. Cheers. KEV.

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    Replies
    1. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      I've just paid your blog a visit and all I can say about your model of Rorke's Drift is WOW! It is very impressive, and looks as if you spent considerable time and effort to ensure that the whole thing looked as accurate as possible.

      A magnificent effort!

      All the best,

      Bob

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    2. Bob,
      Pleased you like my model of Rorke's Drift. It was a very interesting Project to do- a most enjoyable challenge. In a dis-spirited mood I sold my entire Collection of Colonials as I was dissatisfied with the Wargaming Scene here Locally and wanted to rid myself of everything to do with it...the silly things you do when you are younger...a Customs Officer Friend bought it at a handsome offer of $500 which way back then was a considerable amount of money. I've never returned to tackle painting up Zulus- though at times these past years awfully tempted. Thanks for viewing the Model. Regards. KEV.

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    3. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      It's a great pity that you sold your Colonial collection, but I am sure that plenty of other wargamers have done something similar. I sold my original Napoleonic collection (which included figures that had been featured in at least one commercial film) ... and have regretted it ever since,

      Your diorama was well worth the money you were paid for it. It was certainly what I would have considered a museum standard model.

      All the best,

      Bob

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    4. Bob,
      Thank you for your kind words. Yes, we all have seemed to sell-off various Collections over the years- it is a pity you miss your Napoleonic Collection- and I guess it is partially why you've collected such an amazing set of Napoleonic Armies with 'Del-Prado'. I cannot say I've ever regretted selling things as I always seemed to go onto replacement Projects which entertained and somehow satisfied me. All the Best. KEV.

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    5. Kev Robertson (Kev),

      If selling a collection allows you to move on to another project, then I see no reason for regrets. In my case, I sold the collection when I was unwell and not always making good decisions. I subsequently regretted doing it, and that was one of the reasons why I bought my original Del Prado figures ... although they seem to have been subsumed into a much bigger project!

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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