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 struggle was portrayed by the Stanley Baker motion picture "Zulu" and one of several leading characters who performed with distinction at Rorkes Drift, ultimately didn't get a Victoria Cross. Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and is ranked second behind the Victoria Cross. Furthermore, Bourne was also offered a commission although he turn it down. Being the 8th son in the family, there was no money to be had and this was a time when wealth was used to buy commissions for officers from the British Army.
Of course, Bourne became a career soldier and a good one as well. Immediately following South Africa, he was posted to India and Burma before finally earning his commission 11 years on from the Battle of Rorkes Drift. He finally retired from the British Army in 1907. Only 7 years later, The First World War broke out and Bourne re-enlisted in the army. By the conclusion of the Great War in 1918, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was made an OBE. Bourne left the military again, this time around forever.
Because of the actor who played Bourne in the film Zulu, quite a few folks understood Frank Bourne to have been in his mid-50s at the time of the Battle of Rorkes Drift but in fact he was just 24 years old.
Soon after the end of World War I, he lived in old age in Beckenham, South London and he was the last survivor of Rorkes Drift to pass away at the age of 91 on 8th May 1945, the very day World War II in Europe came to an end.
The struggle was portrayed by the Stanley Baker motion picture "Zulu" and one of several leading characters who performed with distinction at Rorkes Drift, ultimately didn't get a Victoria Cross. Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and is ranked second behind the Victoria Cross. Furthermore, Bourne was also offered a commission although he turn it down. Being the 8th son in the family, there was no money to be had and this was a time when wealth was used to buy commissions for officers from the British Army.
Of course, Bourne became a career soldier and a good one as well. Immediately following South Africa, he was posted to India and Burma before finally earning his commission 11 years on from the Battle of Rorkes Drift. He finally retired from the British Army in 1907. Only 7 years later, The First World War broke out and Bourne re-enlisted in the army. By the conclusion of the Great War in 1918, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was made an OBE. Bourne left the military again, this time around forever.
Because of the actor who played Bourne in the film Zulu, quite a few folks understood Frank Bourne to have been in his mid-50s at the time of the Battle of Rorkes Drift but in fact he was just 24 years old.
Soon after the end of World War I, he lived in old age in Beckenham, South London and he was the last survivor of Rorkes Drift to pass away at the age of 91 on 8th May 1945, the very day World War II in Europe came to an end.
About the Author:
Even though he wasn't given the Victoria Cross, CSM Frank Bourne was one of the most famous soldiers who saw action at Rorkes Drift.
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