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Forgotten Defenders of Rorke's Drift
Next up is Private Charles Robson RE
Charles enlisted as a Driver in the Royal Engineers, on the 30th April 1873, having previously worked with his father as a groom.
He was not a tall lad standing just 5' 5". He was soon posted to
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Next up is Private Charles Robson RE
Charles enlisted as a Driver in the Royal Engineers, on the 30th April 1873, having previously worked with his father as a groom.
He was not a tall lad standing just 5' 5". He was soon posted to
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Aldershot where he joined "B" (Equipment) Troop RE Train and
on the 18th April 1878, one Lt. JRM Chard joined the Company, Driver Robson being appointed as his batman soon afterwards.
5th, (Field) Company Royal Engineers arrived in Capetown, South Africa on the 2nd Jan 1879
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on the 18th April 1878, one Lt. JRM Chard joined the Company, Driver Robson being appointed as his batman soon afterwards.
5th, (Field) Company Royal Engineers arrived in Capetown, South Africa on the 2nd Jan 1879
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Upon arrival in Durban, Lt. Chard, Driver Robson and four men of the 5th Company were ordered to proceed in advance of the remainder of the Company, to join No. 3 Column at then moving down from Helpmakaar to Rorke's Drift. It is believed that Robson took up a position along
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the front wall during the battle, from where he could see the RE wagon/mule cart that had been abandoned near the rough cattle kraal. Chard later stated that Robson paid particular attention to the Zulus who were wrecking the wagon as it contained what Robson described
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as "our things".
Robson continued in his capacity as batman to John Chard for the remainder of the Anglo-Zulu campaign, including the final battle at Ulundi on the 4th July. He arrived home with Chard aboard the SS Egypt on the 2nd October 1879.
Once home Chard commenced
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Robson continued in his capacity as batman to John Chard for the remainder of the Anglo-Zulu campaign, including the final battle at Ulundi on the 4th July. He arrived home with Chard aboard the SS Egypt on the 2nd October 1879.
Once home Chard commenced
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an unofficial tour, including a visit to Somerset, where he was greeted by a crowd of some 4,000. The appearance of Driver Robson, accompanying Chard on the visit, was also reported on, "Major Chard was accompanied by his military servant in full regimentals and the
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appearance of this soldierly young fellow bearing an armful of Zulu assegais and other trophies of the campaign excited much interest" .
He took his discharge to the Army Reserve on the 20th June 1881. He had married Jane Elizabeth Farrand in 1883 and the union produced
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He took his discharge to the Army Reserve on the 20th June 1881. He had married Jane Elizabeth Farrand in 1883 and the union produced
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one child, a daughter, Annie Lilian
He died at Plumstead on the 19th July 1933, aged 78
He was buried six days later in an unmarked grave in Woolwich Old Cemetery. In the 1990's the local RE Association paid for a permanent headstone over the grave
http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com
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He died at Plumstead on the 19th July 1933, aged 78
He was buried six days later in an unmarked grave in Woolwich Old Cemetery. In the 1990's the local RE Association paid for a permanent headstone over the grave
http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com
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