Defenders of Rorke's Drift

Lt John Rouse Merriot Chard No. 5 Coy. Royal Engineers

Born near Plymouth, Chard attended the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and was commissioned into the Royal Engineers.

Chard arrived at Rorke’s Drift with some sappers on the 19th from Isandlwana to repair and maintain some points at the Buffalo River crossing. However he was recalled and upon returning was told only his sappers were required and he should return.

On his way back he witnesses the Zulu army approaching the camp. When Major Spalding, the officer commanding Rorke’s Drift left the station to obtain more information Chard took command by date of rank.

During the battle as well as commanding the men with Bromhead he saw to the building of the defences especially the redoubt.

Chard remained at Rorke’s Drift for several weeks after the battle. He was then present inside the British Square at the battle of Ulundi

which ended the Zulu wars. He returned to England and was awarded the VC. He was promoted to Captain and made a Brevet Major. While serving in Singapore in 1892 he was then promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

Having been a lifelong pipe smoker he developed cancer of the tongue. Despite its removal it proved to be terminal. Chard retired to his brother, Charles’, rectory at Hatch Beauchamp, Somerset. After two weeks of “terrible suffering”, Chard died on 1st November 1897.

Chard was buried in the churchyard of the Church of St John the Baptist in Hatch Beauchamp. His VC is on display at the Imperial War Museum, London and is part of the Ashcroft collection.