Bravery at Isandlwana by British troops

Posts : 1998 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 23

For me Durnford was the hero of the battle but their were many others aswell
Younghusband for his charge down to the Nek
CS Wolfe and his men for their reargaurd action.
Dr sheperd for stopping to help a man even though the camp was in Zulu hands.
Vereker for giving away his horse and only chance of life.
Samuel Wassel VC for saving a brother soldier.

Does anyone know of any other acts of bravery during the battle??

Subject: Re: Bravery at Isandlwana by British troops Fri Sep 02, 2011 9:41 pm

The Zulu's charging into superior fire power armed with only spears and shields. You can't get braver that that. Idea

Posts : 1998 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 23

The bravery of the Zulus is much like the heroism of the British in the battle of the Somme. Both forces kept going till they were either killed or they succeeded. Mkhosana KaMvundlana of the Zulu right was a hero. He saw his men had stopped and ran straight down to them and gave them a speech which made them run and brake the British line. However on turning round to celebrate he was shot dead by men of Popes company. There were many other heroes to. One man was shot 5 times but managed to killed 2 British and a NNC man.

No dout the Zulus were heros.

Were their any other British acts of bravery????

Subject: Re: Bravery at Isandlwana by British troops Fri Sep 02, 2011 10:05 pm

We only have accounts of those brave deed's as told by the survivors. Most we already know. But I'm sure there were many after the survivors had left.

Posts : 187 Join date : 2010-02-04

Drummer Boy 14 wrote:: There were many other heroes to. One man was shot 5 times but managed to killed 2 British and a NNC man.

Hi Drummer

Can you show me a link to the souce?

Cheers

Posts : 101 Join date : 2009-10-28

To face thousands upon thousands of attacking Zulu's in a desperate frenzy to kill - knowing full well this will be where you are going to die....and yet they stood their ground, and fought to the death like lions.

GALLANT 24th, they were all brave!

Guest

The only incident I can recall that is similar to what DB14 says, is about the Zulu who attacked and finished off either Lt. Pope or Lt. Godwin-Austen, after being hit several times by pistol shots by one of these officers. As for this warrior killing another British and an N.N.C. man, I've no recollection of them being mentioned.

Posts : 2583 Join date : 2009-04-24

The following narrative is that of a warrior of the Umbonambi regiment, who was present at the battle ; I give it as nearly as possible in his own words
to Bertram Mitford.

"We worked round behind Isandhlwana under cover of the long grass and dongas, intending to join with the Ngobamakosi on the " neck" and sweep in upon the camp. Then we saw white men beginning to run away along the road " kwa Jim ; " many of these were cut off and killed, down in the stream which flows through the bottom of the valley. More and more came over, some mounted and some on foot. When they saw that the valley was full of our warriors, they turned to the left and ran off along the side of the hill towards Umzinyati (the Buffalo) ;those who had not got horses were soon overtaken. The Nodwengu pursued the mounted men, numbers of whom were killed among the thorns and dongas, but I heard that some escaped. Our regiment went over into the camp. The ground is high and full of dongas and stones, and the soldiers did not see us till we were right upon them. They fought well a lot of them got up on the steep slope under the cliff behind the camp, and the Zulus could not get at them at all ; they were shot or bayoneted as fast as they came up. At last the soldiers gave a shout and charged down upon us. There was an induna in front of them with a long flashing sword, which he whirled round his head as he ran it must have been made of fire."
Supposedly to be Captain Youughusband.

Posts : 1998 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 23

The source of the warrior who killed the 2 British and NNC is mentioned in Ian Knights Zulu Rising.

What about Lieutenant Smith-Dorrien who gave away his horse to a wounded man.

Posts : 1998 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 23

What about the NNC who helped the British escae?

I remember reading in Zulu Rising that Trooper Dorehill was being chased by 3 Zulus and became trapped with no where to go he turned to face the Zulus when he heard 2 shots. The 2 young Zulus were lying dead and the older man was holding a smoking shotgun and identified himself to be a member of the NNC, he had escaped disguised as a Zulu.

Posts : 2583 Join date : 2009-04-24

I believe Trooper Dorehill was with NMP.

Posts : 101 Join date : 2009-10-28

There’s also the story of the last of the 24th – the man who defended a small cave in the mountain until he was killed.

This man may have had the option of laying low, and staying hidden until a safe opportunity of escape presented itself –but instead he chose to continue fighting and thus sealed his fate.

Posts : 2308 Join date : 2010-07-02 Age : 40

Quote :: There’s also the story of the last of the 24th – the man who defended a small cave in the mountain until he was killed.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]