The defence of Rorkes Drift is without doubt one of the most notable actions in the past within the British army. It was at this modest mission station along the border of Zululand and Natal where 4,000 Zulu warriors attacked the garrison of no more than 140 British soldiers. The soldiers fought for their lives all night and by the early morning, the Zulu warriors had retreated. The top award for gallantry in the British Army is the Victoria Cross and the action at Rorkes Drift saw 12 VCs awarded, more than in every other individual action in history.
The fight was portrayed in the Stanley Baker movie "Zulu" and one of several leading characters who acted heroically at Rorkes Drift, in the end didn't get a Victoria Cross. Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne was instead awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal that is ranked 2nd behind the Victoria Cross. In addition, Bourne was also offered a commission but he declined. Being the eighth son in their household, there was no money available and this was a time when wealth was used to buy commissions for officers within the British Army.
Bear in mind, Bourne was destined to be a career soldier and a good one as well. Immediately following South Africa, he served in both India and Burma prior to eventually earning his commission 11 years following the Battle of Rorkes Drift. He at long last retired from the British Army in 1907. Only 7 years later, The First World War started and Bourne rejoined the army. By the conclusion of the First World War in 1918, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was made an OBE. He left the army again, this time around for ever.
A result of the actor who played the part of Bourne in the motion picture Zulu, a lot of folks assumed Frank Bourne to have been in his mid-50s during the time of the Battle of Rorkes Drift however in truth he was only 24 years old.
Following the end of World War I, Bourne lived in old age in Beckenham, South London and he was the last survivor of the battle to pass away at the age of 91 on 8th May 1945, the day World War II in Europe concluded.
The fight was portrayed in the Stanley Baker movie "Zulu" and one of several leading characters who acted heroically at Rorkes Drift, in the end didn't get a Victoria Cross. Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne was instead awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal that is ranked 2nd behind the Victoria Cross. In addition, Bourne was also offered a commission but he declined. Being the eighth son in their household, there was no money available and this was a time when wealth was used to buy commissions for officers within the British Army.
Bear in mind, Bourne was destined to be a career soldier and a good one as well. Immediately following South Africa, he served in both India and Burma prior to eventually earning his commission 11 years following the Battle of Rorkes Drift. He at long last retired from the British Army in 1907. Only 7 years later, The First World War started and Bourne rejoined the army. By the conclusion of the First World War in 1918, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was made an OBE. He left the army again, this time around for ever.
A result of the actor who played the part of Bourne in the motion picture Zulu, a lot of folks assumed Frank Bourne to have been in his mid-50s during the time of the Battle of Rorkes Drift however in truth he was only 24 years old.
Following the end of World War I, Bourne lived in old age in Beckenham, South London and he was the last survivor of the battle to pass away at the age of 91 on 8th May 1945, the day World War II in Europe concluded.
About the Author:
Despite the fact he wasn't awarded the Victoria Cross, CSM Frank Bourne was one of the most well known men who saw action at Rorkes Drift.. This article, Frank Bourne Hero of Rorkes Drift is released under a creative commons attribution license.
