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Defenders of Rorke's Drift.
Fred Hitch was born on the 29th November 1856 in London. He joined the 24th Regiment of Foot and as he was illiterate signed his sign up papers with a X.
In 1879 at the age of 22 he fought at the Battle of Rorke's Drift where he awarded
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Fred Hitch was born on the 29th November 1856 in London. He joined the 24th Regiment of Foot and as he was illiterate signed his sign up papers with a X.
In 1879 at the age of 22 he fought at the Battle of Rorke's Drift where he awarded
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the Victoria Cross despite being seriously wounded.
His Citation reads:
War Office, May 2, 1879.
THE Queen has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned Officers and Soldiers of Her Majesty's Army,
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His Citation reads:
War Office, May 2, 1879.
THE Queen has been graciously pleased to signify Her intention to confer the decoration of the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned Officers and Soldiers of Her Majesty's Army,
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whose claims have been submitted for Her Majesty's approval, for their gallant conduct in the defence of Rorke's Drift, on the occasion of the attack by the Zulus, as recorded against their names,
2nd Battalion 24th Regiment Corporal William Allen and
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2nd Battalion 24th Regiment Corporal William Allen and
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Private Frederick Hitch
It was chiefly due to the courageous conduct of these 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
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It was chiefly due to the courageous conduct of these 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
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wounded, but their determined conduct enabled the patients to be withdrawn from the hospital, and when incapacitated by their wounds from fighting, they continued, as soon as their wounds had been dressed, to serve out ammunition to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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Due to the severity of his wounds, he was discharged out of the army and the damage to his arm restricted the type of work he could do and he drifted from job to job. He eventually became a driver of a horse drawn cab, before exchanging in for a motor taxi cab at a
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later date. This provided him with a comfortable income for some years which he needed as he had 8 children!
He Collapsed and died at his home in Chiswick and was buried in St Nicholas' churchyard in Chiswick, with full military honours.
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He Collapsed and died at his home in Chiswick and was buried in St Nicholas' churchyard in Chiswick, with full military honours.
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His funeral was attended by a large number of London 'cabbies' and he is commemorated by the Fred Hitch Gallantry Award for cab drivers.
Picture: London Illustrated News 9th January 1913
Citation: London Gazette 1879
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Picture: London Illustrated News 9th January 1913
Citation: London Gazette 1879
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