Speaker regales audience with Rorke Drift’s battle
BRYANSTON – The Bryanston Country Club recently played host to speaker Andrew Rattray, who gave his well-known talk on the defence of Rorke’s Drift.
The historic battle, which took place 137 years ago at Rorke’s Drift, saw 139 British soldiers repel thousands of Zulu warriors as part of the infamous Anglo-Zulu War.
Rattray regaled audience members with interesting facts from the battle, including the tactics used to claim victory.
“It seems incredible that in that fiery hell on the 22 to 23 January 1879, only 17 British soldiers were killed [and] this incredible success was not simply due to ‘stand and fight’ bravery in order to care for the sick and wounded in the small hospital,” Rattray said.
“It was also due to the brilliant manner in which Lieutenant Chard of the Royal Engineers, James Dalton, [and] Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead fortified the old Mission Station.”
Adding to this, Rattray highlighted the bravery displayed by soldiers on both sides in trying to get their wounded colleagues to safety and the aftermath of the battle, which included the awarding of the Victoria Cross to over 11 soldiers of the 24th Regiment of Foot.
Details: www.bryanstoncc.co.za
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