The Defence of Rorke's Drift - Surgeon James Henry Reynolds

Every day on the dusty plains of Zululand the story of the Defence of Rorke's Drift and the Battle of Isandlwana are retold by inspired storytellers. Grown men are known to shed a tear or two at the retelling of this emotive tale. The shadows of the men who died on that fateful day in 1879 still linger in the air, they embrace all who come to hear and each person leaving these desolate African spaces feel their presence.

It is then, only fair, that before discussing any aspects of this day of victory, defeat, tragedy and triumph that one gets to know a little about those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who remained to account for the day's events.

It is fitting that one should start with the men who were singled out for their bravery although in reflection of the battle perhaps each and every participant should have received an award and not just the select few.

Today I introduce SURGEON JAMES HENRY REYNOLDS as per his citation for his Victoria Cross Award.

"During the battle Surgeon Reynolds treated the wounded in a makeshift redoubt in front of the storehouse. When he was not tending the wounded he delivered ammunition through the window of the hospital. He received the Victoria Cross for his conspicuous gallantry. After the battle he remained at Rorke's Drift and took part in the second invasion of Zululand."

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Lady Florence Caroline Dixie (1855 -1905)

Image from Vanity Fair Magazine Lady Florence Caroline Dixie (1855 -1905), daughter of the 7th marquess of Queensberry. Authoress, war correspondent and traveller. From an early age Florence showed a fondness for sport and travel together with a facility for writing. After marrying, she combined these talents in a journey to Patagonia and published Across Patagonia in 1880. In 1879 she was the war correspondent for the Morning Post , covering the Anglo Zulu war in Southern Africa. Arriving too late, she justified her visit by interviewing the defeated King Cetshwayo. Impressed by his dignity she returned home to successfully campaign for his re-instatement. She had strong views on African politics, publishing In the Land of Misfortune in 1882. Dixie played a key role is establishing the game of women's association football, organising exhibition matches for charity, and in 1895 she became President of the British Ladies' Football Club, stipulating that &quo

Books About Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana Battles

After 12 years of navigating the battlefields of Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana it was time to start updating and revamping our information. First in line has been our List of books on the Battles and we were amazed how that list has grown over the years. We are also sure that our guests, past and present would benefit from this update and what better way to do this than through our blog. Over the next few weeks I will give you lists of the books, a few at a time with a little bit of background of each one. This is of course so that you can start your own collection of books, or start a reading marathon or even use the subject for a book club. For your convenience I am linking each one of the books to the place that you can buy it online, most of which will be Amazon and if its not available on Amazon I will try to track down where it's at. First on our list is The Horns of the Buffalo by John Wilcox a fiction novel and the write up on Amazon describes the book

The Defence of Rorke's Drift - Private Frederick Hitch

Private Frederick Hitch 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment of Foot "It was chiefly due to the courageous conduct of these [Allen and Hitch] men that communication with the hospital was kept up at all. Holding together at all costs a most dangerous post, raked in reverse by the enemy's fire from the hill, they were both severely wounded, but their determined conduct enabled the patients to be withdrawn from the hospital, and when incapacitated by their wounds from fighting, they continued as soon as their wounds had been dressed, to serve out ammunition to their comrades during the night."

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