Rorkes Drift
Frank Bourne Veteran of Rorkes Drift
The defence of Rorkes Drift is amongst the most famous battles from the history of the British army. It had been at the small mission station along the border of Zululand and Natal where 4,000 Zulus attacked the garrison of only 140 British soldiers. The soldiers fought for their lives all night and by day break, the Zulu warriors had retired back to Zululand. The top award for gallantry while in the British Army is the Victoria Cross and the Battle of Rorkes Drift saw twelve VCs awarded, more than in any other individual action in the past.
The battle was depicted in the Stanley Baker motion picture “Zulu” and one of the leading characters who performed heroically at Rorkes Drift, ultimately did not receive a Victoria Cross. Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal that is ranked 2nd behind the Victoria Cross. On top of that, Bourne was also offered a commission however he turn it down. Being the eighth son in his family, there wasn’t any money on hand and this was a period when money paid for commissions for officers while in the British Army.
Nonetheless, Bourne became a career soldier and a great one too. Just after South Africa, he was deployed to both India and Burma prior to eventually earning his commission eleven years on from the Battle of Rorkes Drift. He at long last retired from the British Army in 1907. Only 7 years afterwards, World War I started and Bourne rejoined the army. At the finish of World War I in 1918, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was made an OBE. He left the military again, now permanently.
A result of the actor who played the part of Bourne in the film Zulu, a good number of people assumed Frank Bourne to have been middle aged during the time of the Battle of Rorkes Drift although in reality he was simply 24 years old. Just after the conclude of World War I, he lived in old age in Beckenham, South London and he was the last survivor of the battle to pass away at the age of 91 on 8th May 1945, the day the Second World War in Europe came to an end.
About the Author
Rob Atherton
www.RobAtherton.com
Battle of Rorke’s drift
|
|
Jrm Chard/bassano Photo Mugs John Rouse Merriott Chard Military, Notably At Rorkes Drift …. |
|
|
Jrm Chard/hawke Cdv Photo Mugs John Rouse Merriott Chard Military, Notably At Rorkes Drift …. |
|
|
Jrm Chard/woodbury Photo Photo Mugs John Rouse Merriott Chard Military, Notably At Rorkes Drift …. |
|
|
Line of Fire (the animated military history series) $7.97 line of fire is history with difference for the first time the great battlefields of the world are presnted in a unique animated environment providing new insights into military history’s most campelling events . each powerful episode harnesses state of the art computer technology to explore explain and bring new perspectives to the most famous battles of military history . also featuring speciall… |
|
|
Line of Fire: The Animated Military History Series – Rorke’s Drift ‘Line of Fire’ is history with a difference. For the first time the great battlefields of the world are presented in a unique animated environment providing new insights into military history’s most compelling events. Each powerful episode harnesses state of the art computer technology to explore explain and bring new perspectives to the most famous battles of military history. Also featuring spec… |
|
|
Black As Hell … Thick As Grass : The Battle Of Isandlhwana & Rorkes Drift (VHS) by Kenneth Griffith … |
|
|
Zulu $6.78 A British outpost in 1879 Colonial Africa becomes the last stand for an Army unit in this classic adventure epic. Stories of the people involved are contrasted against breathtaking battle scenes. Stars Michael Caine, Stanley Baker, James Booth. 138 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; theatrical trailer…. |
|
|
The History of Warfare: Rorke’s Drift 1879 – Against All Odds $7.95 A history of bravery at the highest level is clearly seen in this chapter from The History of Warfare documentary series which examines the battle at Rorke’s Drift in 1879. As a handful of British soldiers defended a mission station located near the Mzinyath River in South Africa, more than 4,000 Zulu warriors attacked displaying incredible valor and determination on both sides. 2009/color/55 min/… |
|
|
Campaigns in History: Rorke’s Drift $16.95 noneThis product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com’s standard return policy will apply…. |
|
|
The Zulu War through Contemporary Eyes (Military History from Primary Sources) $2.99 Written in 1894, just 15 years after the war, this is James Grant’s excellent military history of the Zulu War of 1879. From the British disaster at Isandhlwana to face-saving at Rorke’s Drift and the final humiliation of the Zulu nation at Ulundi, this is the contemporary view of how the events were conveyed to the public of Great Britain.Featuring original engravings from the Illustrated London … |