Latest topics | » The Pictorial World - March 15th 1879![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Yesterday at 1:13 pm by ben2000 » The lost diary of Pvt James Owen![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jul 25, 2024 12:03 pm by miklew » Last of the 24th at Isandhlwana![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Wed Jul 24, 2024 6:16 pm by John Young » What was the uniform of field marshals/generals in the zulu war?![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Mon Jul 22, 2024 6:53 am by John Young » Henderson and the NNH at Rorke's Drift ![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Sat Jul 20, 2024 12:17 pm by SRB1965 » Capt. D. Hayes 1/3rd Regt., NNC![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jul 18, 2024 11:11 am by Julian Whybra » The Wrecked Camp![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Wed Jul 17, 2024 4:33 pm by Julian Whybra » Private N/N John Robert Branch 90th Regiment and his discovered diary![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Mon Jul 15, 2024 8:53 pm by 1879graves » Private John Scott 24th Regiment a fugitive at large![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Sun Jul 14, 2024 12:06 pm by 1879graves » 90th foot sgt T. Collins 214![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Sun Jul 14, 2024 10:57 am by johnman » Baron Von Steitencron![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Wed Jul 10, 2024 3:10 pm by Julian Whybra » Sgt Joseph Windridge, Defender of Rorke's Drift - Memorial![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Tue Jul 09, 2024 3:15 am by 90th » Writing advice![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Sun Jul 07, 2024 4:04 pm by Julian Whybra » South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8-9 (4389 Fr. Sergt. S. Smith. O/2. Bde. R.A.)![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Sun Jul 07, 2024 9:30 am by rai » The trashing of the Zulu monument to the brave warriors at Isandlawana March 12, 2024 has been blamed on scrap metal scavengers.![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jul 04, 2024 7:41 pm by ADMIN» The Goodwill Zulu Festival: Celebrating the Welsh and KwaZulu Natal Shared Heritage.![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jul 04, 2024 7:27 pm by ADMIN» Any nominal role of G Coy 2/24th regiment ![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jul 04, 2024 11:18 am by Wayne » Bassage Diary![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jul 04, 2024 9:31 am by Julian Whybra » Prior to Sihayo's Kraal ![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jul 04, 2024 9:19 am by 90th » British Fort Locations![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jul 04, 2024 3:40 am by 90th » Sergeant 1064 Tom Hick / Hicks G Company 2/24th Regiment![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Wed Jul 03, 2024 11:05 am by Julian Whybra » A Hungarian soldier in the Zulu War (?)![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Fri Jun 28, 2024 2:31 pm by Mr M. Cooper » Private 25B/279 Henry Sears Bugler E Company 24th Reg. KIA Isandlwana![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jun 27, 2024 1:07 pm by gardner1879 » Hamilton Browne's birthday![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Fri Jun 21, 2024 9:22 am by Julian Whybra » Zulu "Corps"![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jun 20, 2024 6:01 pm by Hobbes » Army Pay Department Personnel![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jun 20, 2024 11:49 am by Julian Whybra » Ntshingwayo birth date![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Sun Jun 16, 2024 11:37 am by Hobbes » Zibhebhu and Cetshwayo's family![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Wed Jun 05, 2024 9:11 pm by Julian Whybra » Smith's Store/Hotel![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Wed Jun 05, 2024 6:06 pm by Julian Whybra » Corporal James Frowen Williams F Company. ![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Tue Jun 04, 2024 5:20 pm by Julian Whybra » Shaka iLembe![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Sat Jun 01, 2024 1:27 pm by Jon84 » Bugler 1415 Thomas Finn / Flin 90th Regiment ![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Sat May 25, 2024 11:28 am by johnman » Inspector-General Evelyn Richard Hugh Pollard![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Tue May 14, 2024 10:13 am by ADMIN» Alfred Fairlie Henderson photographs.![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Sat May 11, 2024 8:01 am by Julian Whybra » Fairlie's Native Police![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu May 02, 2024 9:12 pm by Hobbes |
July 2024 | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | | | | | Calendar |
|
Top posting users this month | |
New topics | » The Pictorial World - March 15th 1879![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Yesterday at 1:13 pm by ben2000 » The lost diary of Pvt James Owen![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jul 25, 2024 12:03 pm by miklew » Last of the 24th at Isandhlwana![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Wed Jul 24, 2024 5:53 pm by miklew » What was the uniform of field marshals/generals in the zulu war?![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Sun Jul 21, 2024 12:30 pm by darthvaix » Henderson and the NNH at Rorke's Drift ![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Fri Jul 19, 2024 1:29 pm by SRB1965 » Capt. D. Hayes 1/3rd Regt., NNC![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Wed Jul 17, 2024 10:52 pm by Julian Whybra » The Wrecked Camp![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Sun Jul 14, 2024 8:51 am by 61MECH » The trashing of the Zulu monument to the brave warriors at Isandlawana March 12, 2024 has been blamed on scrap metal scavengers.![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jul 04, 2024 7:41 pm by ADMIN» The Goodwill Zulu Festival: Celebrating the Welsh and KwaZulu Natal Shared Heritage.![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/fa/empty.gif) Thu Jul 04, 2024 7:27 pm by ADMIN |
Zero tolerance to harassment and bullying. |
Due to recent events on this forum, we have now imposed a zero tolerance to harassment and bullying. All reports will be treated seriously, and will lead to a permanent ban of both membership and IP address.
Any member blatantly corresponding in a deliberate and provoking manner will be removed from the forum as quickly as possible after the event.
If any members are being harassed behind the scenes PM facility by any member/s here at 1879zuluwar.com please do not hesitate to forward the offending text.
We are all here to communicate and enjoy the various discussions and information on the Anglo Zulu War of 1879. Opinions will vary, you will agree and disagree with one another, we will have debates, and so it goes.
There is no excuse for harassment or bullying of anyone by another person on this site.
The above applies to the main frame areas of the forum.
The ring which is the last section on the forum, is available to those members who wish to partake in slagging matches. That section cannot be viewed by guests and only viewed by members that wish to do so. |
Fair Use Notice | Fair use notice.
This website may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorised by the copyright owner.
We are making such material and images are available in our efforts to advance the understanding of the “Anglo Zulu War of 1879. For educational & recreational purposes.
We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material, as provided for in UK copyright law. The information is purely for educational and research purposes only. No profit is made from any part of this website.
If you hold the copyright on any material on the site, or material refers to you, and you would like it to be removed, please let us know and we will work with you to reach a resolution. |
| | George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. | |
|
+3garywilson1 old historian2 John 7 posters | Author | Message |
---|
John
![John](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/21-9.jpg)
Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 61 Location : UK
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Mon Sep 21, 2009 7:40 pm | |
| Someone posted this interesting item on the RDVC.
OLD SOLDIER SHOWS HIS MEDALS. 2s. 4d. A DAY PENSION FOR A RORKE'S DRIFT HERO. "NO COMPLAINTS." EXPERIENCE THAT MADE A GENERAL'S HAIR WHITE.
Blind, paralysed, and bed-ridden, an old soldier who fought in one of the most famous defences in British military history is ........ a week.
He is Mr George Power of Hill Crescent, Ilford. When a ...... member of the heroic garrison at Rorke's Drift which, during the Zulu War, defied the ceaseless onslaughts of Cetewayo's troops, fresh from their victory at Isandhlwana.
Now 79 years of age, he lives on an Army pension of 2s. 4d a day, plus his old age pension.
When I called on him to-day (writes a "Star" reporter) I found him to be a fine specimen of the English soldier, with his handshake still powerful despite the affliction which keeps him lying all day on his back.
His one joy in life is showing his medals. He keeps them locked in a black tin box which none but he must open.
His constant companion and helper is his daughter Helena. When his blind fingers groped and could not find the lock to his medal box, she offered to open it for him.
"No, my dear, I must open it myself," he protested. "Bill" (as his daughter calls him), "will not let anyone assist in showing his medals," said Miss Power.
One by one he handed them to me - the Khedive Star, the South African Medal, the Queen's Medal with bar, testifying to many years spent under scorching suns.
"I enlisted when I was 18, under a false name, so that my father should not trace me," he said. "In January, 1879, I landed in South Africa with the 2/24th Regiment. We marched straight away out in the direction of Rorke's Drift, knocking out several native chiefs on the way, and burying them.
"On arrival at Rorke's Drift, B Company, which was mine, was detailed to garrison the post and maintain the provision supply of the column which was marching into Zululand under Lord Chemsford.
"One morning I was standing outside the post baking little loaves in a field kitchen. Suddenly a few stragglers limped past our sentries with the news that half Lord Chelmsford's column had been destroyed at Isandhlwana.
"Our meagre defences were quickly thrown into as good a state as possible, and at 2 o'clock the Zulus attacked from across the Buffalo River. They were as thick as grass, outnumbering us by thirty to one. For twelve hours a rifle scarcely left my hand. They gave us pepper.
"For a minute or two we stopped to bandage a wounded comrade, or to give him a drink of water, then back to our loopholes. Our rifles got so hot with the constant firing that the barrels bacame bent, and the rifles useless.
"I was stationed in the store-room, and several times a few of the Zulus forced their way inside. They did not live long. And when they got on our mealie bags we soon put 'em off.
"The Zulus did everything except the one thing that might have carried Rorke's Drift. They did not think of ripping up our mealie bags with their assegais.
"When dawn came - the most dreadful dawn a soldier ever saw - we were still leaning against our loopholes, grimly determined to make the best use of the few rounds of ammunition that were left.
"Fortunately, Lord Chelmsford relieved us with the other half of his column. His hair had gone white in a night." |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | old historian2
![old historian2](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/3-19.jpg)
Posts : 1093 Join date : 2009-01-14 Location : East London
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:48 pm | |
| Funny how is does'nt mention any of the other defenders who were with him. If you read other accounts from defenders they all mention some of the other defenders by name. I know I would. |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | garywilson1
![garywilson1](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/9-1.jpg)
Posts : 374 Join date : 2009-01-22 Age : 62 Location : Timisoara , Romania
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Tue Sep 22, 2009 6:31 am | |
| anyone know why they were given pepper ? |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | 90th
![90th](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/22-38.jpg)
Posts : 10890 Join date : 2009-04-07 Age : 68 Location : Melbourne, Australia
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: george deacon ( power) Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:41 pm | |
| hi gary. In answer to your question, i think he meant they were PEPPERING the camp with rifle fire from the hill overlooking the compound, and that the fighting was so intense, like the old sayings, "we gave em curry" Meaning they had a torrid time, hope i explained well enough gary, im sure you understand what i tried to say ! :lol!: cheers 90th. |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | John
![John](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/21-9.jpg)
Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 61 Location : UK
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:49 pm | |
| Or it could be for the following reason. [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | 90th
![90th](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/22-38.jpg)
Posts : 10890 Join date : 2009-04-07 Age : 68 Location : Melbourne, Australia
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: g.deacon Tue Sep 22, 2009 3:56 pm | |
| hi john. That was bloody hilarious, :lol!: .I really enjoyed it. cheers 90th. |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | Dave
![Dave](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/1-55.gif)
Posts : 1603 Join date : 2009-09-21
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:10 pm | |
| I just know,i'm going to enjoy this forum. John that really was funny, and un-expected. :lol: |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | ADMIN
![ADMIN](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/1-44.jpg)
Posts : 4354 Join date : 2008-11-01 Age : 65 Location : KENT
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Tue Sep 22, 2009 7:35 pm | |
| |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | Chelmsfordthescapegoat
![Chelmsfordthescapegoat](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/24-34.jpg)
Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:19 pm | |
| Gary. That's a good question. However I don't know the answer, but it will give me something to research. |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | John
![John](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/21-9.jpg)
Posts : 2558 Join date : 2009-04-06 Age : 61 Location : UK
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:42 pm | |
| Extract from Private Hitch:
Deacken (Deacon), a comerade, said to me as I was leaning back against buicust (biscuit) boxes: 'Fred, when it comes to the last shill (shall) I shoot you?' I declyned. 'No, they have very near done for me and they can finish me right out when it come to the last.' I don't rem(em)ber not much after that. When I came to myself again, Lord Chamford (Chelms ford) had realived (relieved) us of our task. Bromhead brought His Lordship to me and His Lordship spoak very kindley to me and the Dr dressed my wound. Bromhead was my principal visiter and nurse while I was at the Drift. |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | ADMIN
![ADMIN](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/1-44.jpg)
Posts : 4354 Join date : 2008-11-01 Age : 65 Location : KENT
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Tue Sep 22, 2009 8:46 pm | |
| Legacy Volume 3 - Heroes of Rorke’s Drift
CONTENTS:
Joseph Bromwich - Warwickshire George Deacon - London John French - London Arthur Howard - London Patrick Kears - south Wales James Keefe - south Wales James Marshall - Nottinghamshire Thomas Moffatt - Cheshire |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | Dave
![Dave](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/1-55.gif)
Posts : 1603 Join date : 2009-09-21
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Tue Sep 22, 2009 9:33 pm | |
| I was wondering, if this is what Deacon was on about, He is speaking about the rifle before he said, - Quote :
- “For twelve hours a rifle scarcely left my hand. They gave us pepper.”
I’m sure I have read somewhere when they call this type of burn (Pepper markings) - Quote :
- "Due to the lack of an effective obturation seal, after several shots, the breech would fail to close entirely. This caused the gas escaping from the breech to burn the skin of the soldier. As a result, soldiers could not aim accurately without burning themselves and were forced to fire from the hip."
|
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | ADMIN
![ADMIN](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/1-44.jpg)
Posts : 4354 Join date : 2008-11-01 Age : 65 Location : KENT
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Tue Sep 22, 2009 10:09 pm | |
| I found this on the net. 9th Lancers Scatter Arabs Just then the Arabs tried to rush round our flank, but the 9th Lancers, a native Indian regiment - - Quote :
- met them and gave 'em pepper,
red and raw. They beat 'em. back time and time again. It was a glorious sight - the horses crashing against each other, the lances and the swords flashing, and then the white garments of the Arabs streaming out as they flew back on their horses. May it mean a good fight? Or Thrashing |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | garywilson1
![garywilson1](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/9-1.jpg)
Posts : 374 Join date : 2009-01-22 Age : 62 Location : Timisoara , Romania
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:16 am | |
| interesting thoughts on the pepper , thanks .
i like the idea of wearing a bell , just to tell the lion its dinner is ready ? :lol!:
on the same subject , here in romania it is bears which sometimes cause a problem , they are not normally aggressive unless threatened but i wouldnt want to argue with one ! |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | Chelmsfordthescapegoat
![Chelmsfordthescapegoat](https://2img.net/u/1313/16/75/50/avatars/24-34.jpg)
Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24
![George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Empty](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | Subject: Re: George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:21 pm | |
| |
| ![Go down](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) | | | George Deacon. Rorkes Drift defender. | |
|
Similar topics | ![+](https://2img.net/i/empty.gif) |
|
| Permissions in this forum: | You cannot reply to topics in this forum
| |
| |
| |