Beez Neez now Chy Whella - Rorke's Drift Museum

Rorke's Drift Museum

Beez Neez now Chy Whella

Big Bear and Pepe Millard

Sat 30 Nov 2019 23:57

Rorke's Drift Museum

Rorke’s Drift Museum.

We turned right through the door to learn about the Zulu warriors. Prince Dabulamanzi, King Cetshwayo’s younger half-brother, led the Zulu (uNdi) force attacking Rorke’s Drift. In crossing the Mzinyathi (Buffalo) River, this aggressive and impetuous man was flaunting tha king’s instruction that the Zulu were not to enter Natal. Probably Dabulamanzi’s royal status saved him from retribution. He lacked military skills. and researchers have questioned the lack of a concerted Zulu assault when the British defenders were stretched. The killing of a mounted Zulu in the initial assault might explain poor Zulu tactics.

Dabulamanzi served at Ginginglovu and Ulundi (as did elements of the Rorke’s Drift amabutho), and supported King Cetshwayo (1884 – 1913) during the post-war upheavals in Zululand. He was assassinated in 1856.

The British public’s introduction to the Zulu commander Prince Dabulamanzi was in the Illustrated London News on the 12th of April 1879.

The amabuthi (age regiments): The Age regiments, initiated by Inkosi Dingiowayo had its roots in the grouping of boys into age groups for circumcision. During the reign of King Shaka the circumcision ritual was abolished, and replaced by a system which grouped boys of similar age into regiments (amabutho), to which they belonged for the rest of their lives. At the age of about 16 years, boys would be summoned by the king for service at his residence, i.e. herding cattle, preparing fields and the practise of basic military skills.

After about two years this group of cadets was formed into a regiment. They were given their own regimental name and their specific uniforms. Each regiment was commanded by two officers (izindung) and could number up to 2000 men.

They had to serve the king for military and economic purposes until he permitted them to marry (at about 30 in King Shaka’s time), and sew on their head ring. This was the sign that they were mature men.

The army had to undergo many rituals before and after doing battle. Rituals before battles ensured that the warriors would be successful. Several ceremonies were held in which the warriors were doctored with various medicines to make them strong. From this time and until the battle was fought the warriors were not allowed to enter into normal social activities (i.e. no contact with women etc.).

After the battle the warriors were considered polluted by umnyama, released by the violent shedding of blood. They had to undergo several cleansing rituals in order to rejoin normal society.

Firearms: As early as in King Shaka’s (1816 – 1828) and King Dingane’s (1795 – 1840 days small groups of white gunmen were attending to certain actions with the Zulu army. The first muskets were imported to Zululand during King Dingane’s reign. But most of the weapons were of poor quality and the warriors were not trained to use them properly.

In the 1850’s when King Mpande (1828 - 1884) allowed hunters and traders to access his kingdom guns became an increasingly important element for the army as a symbol of political power.

Guns were often used as payment for hunting rights. In the 1860’s John Dunn (adviser to King Cetshwayo) was officially allowed to import large quantities of firearms through Mozambique.

Between 1872 and 1877 about 60,000 firearms were legally imported to Natal.

The Uniform: A warriors uniform consisted of a shield, spears, knobkieries, leather coverings and various headdresses and feather adornments.

The Spear: The weapon most commonly associated with King Shaka is the stabbing spear. Legend has it that all throwing spears were collected and reworked into stabbing spears by smiths across Zululand, and issued to troops, who were then trained in hand to hand combat. It is however more likely that a stabbing spear would have been carried in addition to a number of throwing spears. The stabbing spear name (ikwa) derives from the sound made when the blade is withdrawing from flesh. The assegai was also used as a general cutting tool, and for the slaughter of cattle.

The Shield: The Zulu have names for a number of shields, ranging in size from the large war shield (isihlangu), to small dancing shields. The shield is cut from cowhide and is secured to a central supporting stick.

During King Shaka’s time the shield was turned from a defensive into an offensive weapon. Soldiers, in close combat would use their shields to hook away the opponents shields, exposing the enemy’s flank to a stabbing spear. The shield was seen as a symbol of peace and protection, and was ‘doctored’ to give it magical protective properties. Each regiment was given a shield with specific colours and patterns.

The Knobkierie: The large headed knobkierie was made from a variety of hardwoods. Used as a throwing weapon, but mainly for striking, it was seen as a symbol of mercy, a way of ending suffering.

Tactics: King Shaka’s main principle in attack was to encircle the enemy, forcing a situation of hand to hand combat. This battle formation was represented by the head of an ox and encompassed four formations.

Veteran regiments made in the centre or chest, of the formation. A reserve force was positioned behind them. The chest would move towards the enemy and then withdraw. The enemy believing this withdrawal would pursue. At this point the chest would once more attack, causing confusion in enemy ranks. In the meantime, two horn formations comprising younger troops, would encircle the enemy flanks.

The Isiqu: Anonymous Valour: It is difficult to compare the VC and the informal Zulu acknowledgement of exceptional bravery, but consider the following: The amabutho who fought at Rorke’s Drift, mostly married men in their 40’s, had been on the move, at speed and with little sustenance for five days.

Their repeated assaults against superior firepower continued into the night (unprecedented in Zulu warfare) and only ceased after 12 hours, with huge losses. If 11 VC’s were awarded to the defenders, then how many Isiqu were owed to the attackers?

“When the fight moved to below Jim’s house we gathered in the bush and rushed at the sacks again and again, thrusting and digging with our assegais. Although we got close to the English here, the battle was so fierce that we had to wipe the blood and brains of the killed and wounded. We climbed over our fallen brothers. It was fearful, especially when the soldiers stabbed at us with assegais tied to their guns.” (Fictionalised account) from Vusi kaNzama uDloko ‘ibutho’ (uNdi corps).

“It seemed that no one could face the guns without being struck. Some of us decided to seek a safer place in the rocks behind Jim’s. From there we could shoot at the English with our own guns. I saw some white men fall, especially amongst those with their back to us. (Fictionalised account) Bhekizitha kaNdlovu uThulwana ‘ibutho’ (uNdi corps).

“You went to dig little bits with your assegais out of the house of Jim, that had never done you any harm!” (Zulu response to the abortive raid.

After lingering briefly on Shiyane, the exhausted and dispirited impi withdrew. They had been on the move since dawn on the 22nd but had failed to overcome the British bullets, bayonets and barricades at ‘kwaJim’. Some dead and wounded were carried away but most lay, in the words of a defender, “as if literally mown down.” The survivors dispersed to their homes and few were prepared to reassemble at oNdini on King Cetshwayo’s orders.

The British: The Rorke’s of Rorke’s Drift:- Rorke’s Drift was named after James Rorke who settled here with his wife Sarah in 1849 to farm and trade. During the 26 years James spent here until his death in 1875, he became actively involved within the community. He was the Government Border Agent, Justice of the Peace and First Lieutenant in the Buffalo Border Guard. He became well known amongst the Zulu. They called this place “Kwa Jimu” (Jim’s Place).

Rorke broke down the steep banks of the Mzinyathi (Buffalo) River, where it was easiest to cross, to improve travel between Natal and Zululand. This became known as Rorke’s Drift.

In the next room we saw a diorama of a patient in bed, rifle at his side, bullets scattered about the bedding. The Hospital Building: Reverend Otto Witt’s original mission house was modified by the British during their fortification of the post on the 22nd of January 1879. It was destroyed in the Battle of Rorke’s Drift. After the battle it was pulled down and the stones were used to build Fort Bromhead.

In late 1879 the Swedish Mission returned. In 1880 the present building was constructed according to Witt’s specifications. Stones from the original house may have been used in the structure.

Excavations have revealed that the pre-1880 building was smaller than the present one. The existing building has many of the original features, including the windows. Other features such as the thatched roof have been altered. The archaeologist's sketch shows areas which were excavated in 1988. Quadrant 32 remains open for viewing.

In the left corner (next to the patient above) a soldier is crawling through a hole made through to the next room, he has followed a wounded fellow soldier.

In this room a diorama shows a soldier filling a mealie bag and others planning the next move.

Behind us, as we entered the room, a cupboard where an injured soldier is seen in hiding. Bear got in with him....

Along the left wall is a dramatic scene of soldiers behind the mealie bags with a Zulu warrior on the attack.

A plan on the far wall with key.

The struggle for control of the hospital was a desperate one. The building, defended by a handful of men and patients, was barricaded with mealie bags and loopholed.

The Zulus attacking the hospital were decimated by rifle fire from the biscuit box line, but eventually managed, at great cost, to enter the hospital. They set fire to the thatch, but for some time this did not burn properly as the grass was so tightly packed. A claustrophobic struggle ensued.

The defenders retired room by room, bringing out as many sick as possible. Occasionally they were forced to smash holes through walls to escape as no interleading doors existed. Walls built of soft sunbaked brick proved a saving grace, as did the narrowness of doorways. The Zulus found these and all other bottlenecks stoutly defended until the last moment.

Finally the defenders reached a window that overlooked the inner barricade. There patients were helped through by a few courageous men who remained disciplined and cool in the exposed and by then abandoned outer perimeter.

We saw reports and pictures of individual acts of heroism. “From perfect quietness to intense excitement” Private Henry Hook VC 2/24th. Heroic Cook: The fierce contest for the hospital had its heroes. On the Zulu side regrettably remain anonymous, on the British side they are known. An unlikely hero was the unassuming, humble cook, Private Henry Hook. He held off the Zulu in hand to hand combat and assisted evacuating the hospital patients.

“.... John Williams held the (other) room with Private William Horrigan for more than an hour, until they had no cartridge left. The Zulus then burst in and dragged out Joseph Williams and two of the patients, and assegaled them. It was only because they were so busy with slaughtering that John Williams and two of the patients were able to knock a hole in the partition and get into the room where I was posted. Horrigan was killed.”

His exceptional bravery was subsequently rewarded with the Victoria Cross. On receipt of this supreme decoration for gallantry he commented, rather typically, “...until then I had scarcely ever thought about the Victoria Cross....”

I happened to be reading about Private Hook when a guide came in with a couple of men being shown around. The guide pointed to Private Hook’s South African Campaign Medal (seen to the right of the VC above). He said that the last time a general medal came up for auction it sold for six thousand dollars. Each medal has the recipients name engraved around the edge, and the last Rorke’s Drift medal sold for one hundred and thirty thousand dollars. He went on to tell the tale of Tiger, Pip or Jack – he answered to all three. He was the posts faithful dog who barked warning when the Zulu approached, he too was awarded The South African Campaign Medal, I wonder what price this unique medal would sell for. Brave little fellow.

The Rorke’s Drift VC’s: Politics or Deserved Reward ? “We are giving the VC very freely, I think....” (The Duke of Cambridge, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, October 1879).

The dedication of the Rorke’s Drift garrison is beyond dispute, but was the award of an unprecedented 11 VC’s partly a response to the defeat at Isandlwana and the bungling of South African affairs?

“I thank you all for your gallant defence.” (Lord Chelmsford at Rorke’s Drift, 23rd of January 1879) Dawn.

With blackened faces and aching shoulders the anxious British garrison awaited a possible final assault. Chard had dispatched tentative patrols and reinforced the battered fortifications but ammunition was low. Relieved cheers rang out when the remnants of the centre column rode up from the drift.

B Company 2/24th.

A VC Selection: Corporal William Allan and Private Frederick Hitch (2/24th).

Allan and Hitch kept the exposed areas between the hospital and inner barricade clear during the evacuation of the patients. Both were severely wounded but stuck to this task, Hitch borrowing Bromhead’s revolver when his shoulder was shattered by a bullet from the Shiyane terraces. Both received their VC from Queen Victoria. Hitch’s award was later stolen and a duplicate presented by King Edward VII in 1905.

Sad Endings: Privates William and Robert Jones (2/24th) and Corporal Ferdinand Schiess (3NNC).

William Jones, a Frontier Wars veteran, fought alongside Private Robert Jones VC in the claustrophobic hospital struggle. Schiess had served in the French Army (1871 –6) and was recruited into the Natal Native Contingent following service in the Eastern Cape.

Schiess had been the only Rorke’s Drift defender present at Sihayo’s stronghold where he was wounded in the foot hence his presence at the post. His dramatic exploits at the northern barricade earned him the VC.

The award was, however, no guarantee of prosperity, Schiess died at sea, destitute in 1802, and in 1803 William Jones pawned his VC for 6 pounds. Robert Jones took his own life in 1806.

The commissariat and transport staff: Dunne, Byrne and Dalton.

Only after considerable delay, and public pressure, was the cool determination and courage of these men recognised.

Dalton, a veteran of 20 years service, applied his knowledge of prepared defences in response to the crisis at the post. He inflicted heavy losses along the southern perimeter during the initial attack and saved the life of a private about to be assegaled. When wounded in the back by a sniper he casually handed his rifle to Chard. (The picture in the middle, above, is Dalton belatedly receiving his VC at a special parade at Fort Napier, 16th of January 1880)/

Dunne. In the battle Dunne’s most notable feat was the active supervision of the building of the redoubt while exposed to Zulu attacks.

Byrne. On the 22nd of January Louis Byrne appears to have supervised the construction of the biscuit-box barricade bisecting the defence, and was shot through the head while assisting a wounded NCC corporal (Scammel).

Reynolds, in charge of the field hospital at Rorke’s Drift, had observed the initial approach of the amabutho from the summit of Shiyane. Throughout the action he attended the wounded, under fire, on the storehouse verandah. He was one of the few Rorke’s Drift veterans to serve at Ulundi.

Mabin. ‘The fighting clerk’, was an unlikely combatant at Rorke’s Drift. He served in the Corps of Military Staff Clerks, and he had presumably been seconded to the supply depot at the drift. He acquitted himself well in the battle, but his service went largely unnoticed.

Smith. The popular image of the Reverend George Smith is of an imposing, bearded figure handing out ammunition while exhorting wild biblical phrases. In fact, he would have left with Otto Witt if his horse hadn’t been missing.

On the 4th of February he read the burial service for Melvill and Coghill at Fugitives’ Drift, and accompanied Chelmsford to Ulundi. Smith was appointed Chaplain to the Forces in recognition of his service at Rorke’s Drift but was reputedly offered the choice of a VC.

Unlikely Heroes: Bromhead and Chard.

Lieutenant John Chard VC, RE (top right above) - (a ‘Plodding, dogged sort...’) And Gonville Bromhead VC, 2/24th (‘.....fearless but hopelessly stupid’) were not highly regarded by their peers or superiors.

Of the two, only Bromhead had seen action before (the 9th Frontier War) but they acquitted themselves well at the northwest barricade. Chard had only arrived at the post three days before the battle.

In the wake of the defences both were promoted to Brevet-Major, and elevated to celebrity status at the possible expense of fellow defenders (e.g. Dalton) whom research has suggested were largely responsible for the successful response to the Zulu attack. While neither‘s subsequent career was eventful, the names ‘Chard’ and ‘Bromhead’ will forever be synonymous with Rorke’s Drift.

In the middle of the picture above is A sullen Gonville Bromhead c.1873. The next picture shows Chard receiving his VC from Sir Garnet Wolseley, 16th of July 1879. Privately Wolseley thought poorly of Chard and belittled the defence of Rorke’s Drift.

Of the battle BBC History says: Within days of Rorke's Drift, Chelmsford was urging the speedy completion of the official report because he was “anxious to send that gleam of sunshine home as soon as possible.” When it finally arrived, he added two names to the six recommended VCs - the names of lieutenants Chard and Bromhead.

Many of their fellow officers were amazed by these two additions. One senior officer wrote: “Bromhead is a great favourite in his regiment and a capital fellow at everything except soldiering ... He had to be reported confidentially as hopeless.” Another described Chard as “a most useless officer, fit for nothing.”

In truth, the real hero of Rorke's Drift was Commissary Dalton. It was Dalton who persuaded Chard and Bromhead to remain at Rorke's Drift when their first instinct was to abandon the post, and it was Dalton who organised and inspired the defence. But Dalton, an ex-NCO, came from what was considered the wrong background, and was ignored for almost a year. He was eventually awarded a VC after intensive lobbying by the press - but not until January 1880, by which time the celebrations had died down.

In the next tiny room was a huge model that really shows what the defenders were up against.

Above the model, an overview.

In the final room a display of excavations of the site.

Relief. The patrol’s emotional return to Rorke’s Drift. The colour was received by Colonel Glyn, commanding the 1/24th.

Victoria Crosses of Rorke’s Drift – January 22nd and 23rd 1879. The writing top left. The Zulu War of 1879 is full of individual acts of heroism, devotion and situations of the gravest peril: yet out of so much that was splendid and courageous in that fierce conflict. the famous Defence of Rorke’s Drift stands out in history as one of the finest examples of discipline and valour ever recorded to the credit of British soldiers in the face of the enemy. The writing top right. On January 22nd 1879, the main Zulu Impi of 20,000 men attacked the British Camp at Isandlwana. The 1,500 defenders were overrun and massacred. Later on that day, the mission station at Rorke’s Drift was attacked. Just over 100 men successfully defended Rorke’s Drift against an overwhelming force of 4,000 Zulus. No fewer than 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded for this action.

The writing below each soldier: Private Henry Hook 2nd Batt. 24th Regiment. From inside the hospital, he and Pte. Williams held the enemy at bay with rifle and bayonet. Fighting a desperate battle, he broke through 3 partitioned walls to aid the escape of patients from the burning hospital. Private John Williams 2nd Batt. 24th Regiment. Also posted in the hospital with Henry Hook, where they fought off a most ferocious and determined attack. As one fired at the Zulus, the other hacked at the clay partitions to get the sick and wounded to safety. Private Robert Jones 2nd Batt. 24th Regiment. He was decorated for conspicuous bravery and devotion to the wounded. In another section of the hospital alongside William Jones, he defended several patients courageously. He survived the battle against overwhelming odds.

Private William Jones 2nd Batt. 24th Regiment. This soldier’s brave and heroic efforts alongside Pte. Robert Jones enabled 6 out of 7 patients in their care to escape from the burning hospital. He shot Zulu after Zulu having to swap rifles that had burned hot with continuous firing. Surgeon Major Henry Reynolds Army Medical Department. During the defence, he behaved with conspicuous bravery, attending to the wounded whilst under heavy crossfire from Zulus on the hills and a continual shower of assegais from the barricades. Lieutenant John Rouse Merriot Chard Royal Engineers. As officer in command, he was given orders to defend the Post at all costs. He directed operations with the most heroic bravery. When a gap suddenly appeared in the barricade he dispensed troops so the defence stayed strong.

Lieutenant Gonville S. Bromhead 24th Regiment. Alongside Lt. Chard, he showed great courage in his gallant defence of the barricades, where with a rifle and bayonet he continued to repel the relentless wave of attacks from the Zulus. Commissariat James Langley Dalton Commissariat and Transport Department. He devoted his energies to the swift construction of the barricades, and despite being severely wounded, he refused to abandon his post and fought on until the last of the Zulus had retreated. Corporal William Allen 24th Regiment. He held a difficult and dangerous position that enabled the evacuation of the hospital to the Inner Defence. He was severely wounded, yet he went on to carry ammunition to the barricades.

Private Frederick Hitch 2nd Batt. 24th Regiment. With Cpl. Allen, he kept the communications open between the hospital and the Inner Defence. He was hit in the shoulder by a roughly made bullet, but fought on. Later, 36 pieces of bone were removed from his wound. Corporal Ferdinand C. Schiess Natal Native Contingent. Although he was a patient in the hospital recovering from a leg wound, he took his place at the front wall. On one occasion during the battle he single-handedly fought off and killed three Zulus.

So why have I written out so much in the two blogs about Rorke’s Drift. Primarily because it is fascinating and such a well known battle but also because it means so much to Bear. Also Roger (Mark our son-in-law’s dad) has a print of a battle painting in the hall, and we bought one for my brother, Pete. They all loved the bravery shown at Rorke’s Drift. One day I’m sure I will buy a print for Bear.

ALL IN ALL SO PLEASED TO SEE BEAR TICK OFF THIS WISH

A LIFETIME DREAM COME TRUE