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Today in 1879, 150 British soldiers defended the Rorke's Drift mission station against 4,000 Zulu warriors in a 12 hour onslaught, during the Anglo-Zulu War. 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded.
Lieutenant John Rouse Merriott Chard, 5th Field Coy, Royal Engineers, was in command of the small British garrison, and received the Victoria Cross for his actions during the engagement.
Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, B Coy, 2nd/24th Foot, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions. He took up a position alongside Private Frederick Hitch at the corner of the barricade most exposed to Zulu sniper fire.
Corporal William Wilson Allen, B Coy, 2nd/24th Foot, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Rorke's Drift.
Private Frederick Hitch, B Coy, 2nd/24th Foot, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Rorke's Drift.
Private Alfred Henry Hook, B Coy, 2nd/24th Foot, was ordered to protect approximately 30 patients unable to be moved from the temporary hospital at Rorke's Drift station. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions.
Private Robert Jones, B Coy, 2nd/24th Foot, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his defence of the Rorke's Drift hospital. He suffered four Assegai spear wounds, and was struck by a bullet.
Private William Jones, B Coy, 2nd/24th Foot, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in defence of the field hospital at Rorke's Drift.
Private John Williams, B Coy, 2nd/24th Foot, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his defence of the Rorke's Drift field hospital.
Surgeon James Henry Reynolds, Army Medical Department, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Rorke's Drift.
Acting Assistant Commissary James Langley Dalton, Commissariat and Transport Department, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions during the Battle of Rorke's Drift. He was 46 years old.
Corporal Christian Ferdinand Schiess, 2nd/3rd Natal Native Contingent, was the 1st man serving with South African Forces to receive the VC. Years later he was found on the streets of Cape Town by the RN, suffering from exposure. He was offered passage to England, and died at sea.
