Zulus hanged by the neck until dead. At Rorkes Drift.

I was having a discussion about the 'Zulu War' the other day with some friends, where it was mentioned that some Zulus were hanged at Rorkes Drift!

What ,why ,when I have no idea. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Subject: rorkes drift hanging Sat Jun 13, 2009 5:59 am

hi littlehand.

this from RORKES DRIFT BY THOSE WHO WERE THERE.

from sgt bourne to the sunday express jan 22nd 1938.

" one zulu who was alive had been left for dead , later in the day bromhead sent for me and said, very urgently, wheres that man who was here just now with a prisoner? find that man bring him here. i went round asking. who"s the man who"s got the prisoner ? they said, ashton of course. ashton a lusty irishman, i found him, what have you done with your prisoner ?. i said. he pointed to a tree from which the zulu was hanging. i took him to bromhead said the innocent irishman. and he told me to get the hell out of here with him, and i did.

cheers 90th

Posts : 2593 Join date : 2009-04-24

One of the most famous eyewitness accounts comes from, Lieutenant Horace Lockwood Smith-Dorrien

“I set to work, and next day, whilst sitting in my wagon, I saw two Zulus hanging on my gallows and was accused by the Brigade Major, Clery (afterwards General Sir Francis Clery), of having given the order. I was exonerated, however, when it was found that it was a case of lynch law performed by incensed men, who were bitter at the loss of their comrades. Other incidents of the same sort occurred in the next few days before law and order were re-established.”

When he says my Gallows he is referring to the frame used to dry ox-hides, which had became an improvised gallows "for hanging Zulus who were supposed to have behaved treacherously" during the battle.

» No Martini Henry Rifles Found Among The Zulu Dead At Rorkes Drift.
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» Rorkes Drift Bullding.