As a retired military man, you can imagine just how bad this effects me! Absolutely disgraceful that these men, who performed as hero's during what had to be one of, if not, the most, dramatic fight against probably the most overwhelming odds, in which any group of men were able to be victorious. Even today, we see our Vets, homeless, with PTSD & not getting the help they deserve. I want to commend the "History Chap" on this outstanding video. I saw the movie when it came out, watch it whenever I can, because, it shows the determination, bravery & ingenuity, of a small group of men, holding firm against tremendous odds & come out "alive" & victorious! Tom USMC
I have always been fascinated by the Battle of Rork's Drift, and been inspired by the raw bravery of how under 100 British soldiers could take on and defeat over 4,000 brave Zulus, held together by the leadership of their officers and their own discipline & training. On a recent visit to India, I found the grave of Gonville Bromhead in Allerabad - it was covered in growth so I paid the locals to remove all the rubbish & brushwood and hence return this brave VC winner to the sunlight; it was an honour so to do
Robert Jones is my Great Great Great Grandfather. A source of great pride within the family, and also us being a long standing military family, (Every generation has served and unfortunately been to war). A final point, contrary to popular belief it wasn't the South Wales Borderers who fought at Rorke's Drift, it was actually the Warwickshire Regiment. They became the South Wales Borderers 2 years after the Zulu war was over. History was brought forward in the film because Stanley Baker was Welsh and he wanted more "Welshness" in the film.
Matthew, thank you for sharing your family story. You are right about the regimental name ( they only became the SWB in 1881). Stanley Baker gave it a Welsh spin whereas the reality was that they were in the minority (actually as many Irish as Welsh fighting there!)
@@kendignam6892 We're all very proud. I took my children to the Imperial War Museum where his medal is on display, even my 10 year old daughter who has no interest in history, "Because it's boring", teared up a little. I have 10 medals of my own which mean very little to me if I'm honest. All they do is remind me of things that I'd rather forget, but I'm incredibly proud of him and to be related to him.
Yes you are correct. I'm from Warwickshire and love military history and especially the zulu wars. I found this out a few years ago but nobody seems to know as they just refer to the film.
As a welshman and a vet of 2 royal welsh who's predecessors were at rorks drift I just want to say thank you (diolch) for bringing this incredible moment in British/welsh history to life again and 11 V.C not bad atall
Very stalwart & courageous Men, who all deserve to be remembered. Some - in later life - fell upon hard times or were sadly, but very understandably, haunted by the hugely traumatic events of that fateful Day… Your admirable desire to seek out & relate a little of their individual tales, did them all proud, Chris. Thank you & well done… 🤝
I used to visit Hitch's grave quite often as it's near my old home in Hammersmith. It's certainly a very impressive monument to a brave man and believe the small white stone plaque with a VC engraved into it on the right of the photo was stolen once or twice, which is a pretty sick thing to do in my opinion, but was replaced from time to time. Incidentally, the part of 'Surgeon Reynold' was played in the movie by the actor Patrick Magee, who was the father of a very good friend of mine and also lived fairly close to the cemetery.
As ever, a very informative video. The British Army has a poor record on the care of it's heroes and veterans. My uncle was a prisoner of the Japanese in Burma and for the rest of his life he suffered terribly from the effects of malaria, malnutrition and the barbaric Japanese guards who pulled out his fingernails as a punishment. He received no psychological treatment upon returning home and turned to drink on many occasions in his attempts to ward off his demons. Thankfully the army of today seems to understand PTSD.
Thanks for sharing that very personal story. The army might not get it 100% right now but I guess the support (& understanding of PTSD) is better than in the past. If you haven’t already, please make sure to subscribe for future videos. ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap Chris
MY father's cousin was taken prisoner by the Japanese in Singapore and spent about four years working on the building of the Burma Railway in Thailand. He was forced to bury his friend alive after his friend had been tortured...
@@TheHistoryChap the understanding of PTSD is worldwide now and fully scientifically documented. However, the Army's response is to medically discharge sufferers, before Pension Pay outs. Therefore, many suffer in silence just to get that pension hop off point. Recognising and proper response is a miss match sadly.
Frederick Hitch VC is a relative of mine, and Frederick is a common middle name in our family. Just to fill in a couple of gaps for you 🙂, the story about being robbed of his VC has always been taken with a pinch of salt within the family for reasons too numerous to go into here, he had nine children who survived out of childhood one of which he called Victoria and one of his granddaughters was still alive in the 1980s living in the white city area of London where my branch of the family come from. Another branch left the UK and settled in America. Right up until the 1990s if your surname was Hitch and you Excelled at school then the British army came recruiting. It's my understanding that the regiment now has both the original VC and the reissued one although I never followed that information up because I myself left the UK 20 years ago.
Then you can feel justly proud This old soldier 🫡 his memory. Whilst ive reservations about Britain being there at all is besides the point ......He Was one Brave Man who 🫡🇬🇧🫡
Seeing the movie " ZULU " when I was seven years old sparked an interest in the British Army during Victorian times which brought me to this channel . Thank you for all the hard work you put in doing the research and making these videos . God bless you and stay safe.
While working in South Africa between 1993 and 1995, I visited Rourkes drift on my way back to Pretoria from a visit to Durban. I remember how remote the site was, and how the hill overlooking the Hospital area where the Zulu's first fired on the troops must have been terrifying. I do not think many people visited the site. I bought some postcards from a guy who I surpose "looked after" the place and took some photo's. I got into my car and continued with my journey. It was'nt until I saw this video by accident that I recalled my experience. I think I am a slightly better person for my visit. Thanks for making this video, it was really interesting to me.
Agree, that regi museum in Brecon is excellent! When I was on an exchange with the Brit Army in Catterick in 2012 , I visited Brecon and went walking in this beautiful area. It was interesting as I was always getting mistaken for a Gurkha. I should explain ( I did not know this before I went there) that the Gurkhas form a big part of the ? battle school which I think is based near the town (?). Consequently ,there are a number of ex-Gurkha soldier run businesses in the town, including several excellent eateries, which I am sure you noticed. I'm Australian, but my ancestors were from Malaya and of course the slouch hat is our standard head dress. Thus=easy to be mistaken for a Gurkha, although I must say Gurkhas are the finest group of men to be confused with, if one has the choice! And whilst I am here: thankyou for your videos and please keep them coming- indeed, I have subscribed!
Great comment and an antidote to some of the bile on YT re the only real Australians are white etc..same claims made re Kiwis and Yanks of course, as apparently if you dont create a country etc and develop it, you lose any claim to it..kind of like taking over that old house with the overgrown lawn and evicting the owner on a "you didnt do much with it, so its mine now" basis
Fantastic video thank you. I often think of Private Henry Hook when visiting The British Museum but wasn’t aware he died so soon after retirement. It’s also sad how he was portrayed in Zulu, so different from the truth. However here’s to all these brave men.
Thanks for your comment and I'm glad that you enjoyed. If you haven’t already, please make sure to subscribe for future videos. ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
Hi , this is one of my favourite episodes in military history , the way you presented this video was brilliant ,I love your channel , please keep it up .
I must say I truly enjoyed this episode you produced because too often you never hear about what happens afterwards. It was really awesome to learn about what happened after the battle I also have great respect for the way you defended the reputations some of the heroes of rorke's drift. Well-done, sir and kudos to you.
Thank you. I visited both battlefields, Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift at the end of 1995 and it was a moving experience. To see the the area they fought in and stood their ground was amazing but the overwhelming feeling was, what on earth were they doing there? It's remote but back then it must of felt like the end of the earth, a differing attitude back then as it was all about conquest. There was a guy tending the hospital site when we got there who first ask me was I a relative (no) as that was the only type of people who visited at that time, and also asked did I know where all 11 were buried? No I didnt but now you have answered that question.
@@TheHistoryChap Some years ago I was reading a copy of "Country Life" or some other glossy in the doctor's waiting room, I came upon an article about Rorke's Drift, and it was said that various artefacts, like tunic buttons, belt buckles, etc were still being picked up off the battlefield - the local chidren would scavenge for items and then sell them to the tourists!
@@GrannySeaYes, on the Isandlwana battlefield you can still find buttons, badges, buckles, metal remnants of rifles, bayonets and spears. The bodies of the people that died on the battlefield remained where they fell untouched. Even today you need permission from the local Zulu chief to go onto the actual battlefield. A bit of trivia as well. Some of the buttons, buckles and badges on the tunics of the casts uniforms in the movie Zulu. We're actually authentic items found at Isandlwana. Plus originals were used to cast and recreate items for the other uniforms.
Excellent as always. Very sad what happen to many of these heros. I served as a U.S. Marine more than fifty years ago and I was very moved by this. A warrior is a warrior regardless of nation or politics and I respect the warriors. I enjoy your videos very much sir! This has moved me to give financial support for your superb work.
Back in the 1980s I was employed as a civilian ship's captain by the Ministry of Defense (Royal Corps of Transport-Army Dept). We ordered a dozen or so 15 metre fast patrol boats, which were to be employed around the UK coast as range safety craft. All the craft were named after George Cross or Victoria Cross recipients. One of these craft was named the James Dalton VC, who fought at Rorke's Drift. A fitting honour for a brave soldier.
I was aware that some of the VC repients fell on desperate times after the battle I had no idea of the scale of it though, another cracking video nonetheless, well done.
This was so interesting. It answered a question for me. I figured that those who had served in such horrific battles would have PTSD, and you confirmed that belief for me.
My father inlaw served in Burma in ww2. He was part of a special force trying to rescue missionaries before the japs got them. What he witnessed made him hate the japanese all his life. In his last years he would relive those terrible events in his dreams machine gunning and shouting etc.....
Thank you very well put together. It is impossible to even try and imagine the terror and fear of that attack at Rorkes Drift, and then as many heros are, forgotten by society. So once again thank you for taking the time to research and out this video together.
Brilliant video thanks you sir I'm a proud irishman proper irish ,irish is my first language I was sux weeks old when my parents left me here in ireland while they continued to work in England where I had been born * guys and St thomas's) times back where tough and my parents where trying and succeeded in building a hone for me and two later my sister ,I've always been proud of the land of my birth The United Kingdom and you regularly reinforce that pride thank you
I was in both the royal engineers (there's a building in Gibraltar barracks called Chard V. C.) and the royal regiment of Wales during my time in the army. Even though I have been told of those events, the bravery of the men there never ceases to amaze me. Keep up the good work with your videos (this is the 6th video in a row of yours I've watched).
Fascinating, and sad stuff. Thank you for a very informative video History Chap. Well presented. So sad that some of Britains national heroes end their days in sadness.
Thank you, Russ. Glad you liked it. By the way, If you haven’t already, please make sure to subscribe for future videos. ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
What a truly wonderful video. And you are spot on to call the Brecon museum the spiritual home of the 24th Foot, as it was the recruiting base for the outfit even though the HQ was elsewhere. Was it Warwickshire? In those days, of course, it was common for the actual HQ to be nowhere near the recruitment base. This was why there were so many Welshmen in the outfit, one, I know, from Cwmbran. The regiment was later renamed the South Wales Borderers. My father, grandfather and Great uncle all fought under that badge in the second and first world wars. My dad’s record was classed as exemplary. My grandad won the Military Medal in the trenches in France,
Thanks for sharing your family links to the South Welsh Borderers. If you haven’t already, please make sure to subscribe for future videos. ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap Chris
Another excellent video, Chris, thank you. I daresay that many of the other participants there - the often forgotten non-VC winners - also fell on hard times.
Thank you for making this video, it’s very interesting and I’ve learnt a lot. I’m a descendant of Cpl William Allen and I’ve been trying to learn more about him and the people at Rorke’s drift. Thanks again keep up the hard work.
Thanks, Elliot. Have you been to his grave in Monmouth? By the way, if you haven’t already, please make sure to subscribe for future videos. ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
I haven’t yet, I’m planning to go this summer and I’m hoping to visit the Welsh borderers museum as well. Yes just subscribed, I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Absolutely an excellent video capturing the humanness of the men involved. You are right when you say that it is sad. Kipling was right: "Lest we forget."
Sir, you have done a wonderful job and I thank you. I was in the 24th Regt and the glories of the Regiment's deeds were drummed into us. I served in four minor wars with the 24th and I like to think we give of our best. Our standards were always of the highest. Hitch VC, his Gtreat great Grandson was our quartermaster, a real Gentleman! Bromhead's Great Great Nephew was our CO. Hook VC had a Great Great Great Grandson in the Regiment. The bloodline still flows well within the ranks, though the Regiment is now named The Royal Welsh.
You just got a new subscriber with that. Like many a young English lad Zulu blew me away when I saw it. I'm from Hackney and often pop down the British museum mostly for the classical Greek exhibition and I was amazed to learn from you that Hooky worked those corridors and halls that I walk down, given the place an extra historical narrative for me. It was sad but also unsurprising that they suffered PTSD, a friend of mine slept in his car with his dogs for a year on his return from Afghanistan as he just couldn't settle. Kipling and the men at Rourkes would have understood that I think. "When your left for dead on Afghanistan's plains, roll to your gun and blow out your brains" I've probably misquoted Rudyard there, but you get the drift. Off to check out your piece on the actual battle now. Ta.
Brilliant video and quite a sad one unfortunately. We should make sure we always look after all our heroes and all the men and women who have served and who still serve to keep us safe.
@ The History Chap. I would say the film 'Zulu' has been a huge influence on our generation, I bet you watched it when you were but a wee lad like me! And what a movie!
@@TheHistoryChap Agree! It is one of the best scenes in movie making from the last century with the music , especially the drum really 'making' the scene!
I was fortunate to have visited Isladawana and Rorkes Drift when I did a big South African Road Trip with my then South African girl friend. It was a very moving experience! I also visited the site of Blood Rivier [Blood River] where hundreds of Zulus did attacking a wagon train of Boer settlers travelling to a new life only a few Boers did or were injured in the battle but the river became Red with blood from the Zulus!
Brilliant piece of work, thank you so much for sharing this! You will probably know about this but I'll tell it anyway for people that wont, I tried finding my Gt Grandmothers grave in Barrow in Furness at the main cemetery there. Whilst searching for her, I came across a black granite headstone with a VC on it. This headstone belonged to Private Samuel Wassall (b 1856, d 1927), 80th Regiment of Foot, Staffordshire Volunteers. He was actually mounted infantry and in the film, "Zulu Dawn", at the end of the film, a mounted soldier rescues a soldier in the river who is carrying the colours. This mounted soldier was Private Wassall and it was for this action that he gained his VC. Keep up the great work, I really enjoyed this video and hopefully you can give all of us eager listeners more information on the other VC winners in the Zulu war.
Pte Robert Jones has the same name as myself. I was very saddened to find out many years ago that he took his own life. The good news in this video is that he did marry and had five children with his wife. They were all brave people at that battle. They should be remembered and respected for their courage against overwhelming odds.
Fascinating stuff. My best mate at Primary School's Father was one Richard Davies, of Please Sir fame, he played one of the VC recipients defending the Hospital iirc.
Very interesting!! Brilliant video!! Very rare that you see so many winners of VC that actually survive the battle. I do believe that a lot of VC’s are awarded posthumously!
Until 1907 policy was NOT to award it posthumously. When that changed a number of awards were made retrospectively to deserving candidates. It seems apparent that from WW1 onwards award of the VC was made significantly more difficult than initially...
Excellent presentation, as are every one of yours I viewed. I must point out, however, that a soldier doesn't "win" valor awards, he earns them, he is awarded them, but you may win a contest or lottery, that term is generally inappropriate in this context. I say this with respect as a retired US Army Warrior.
Thanks for your thoughts and kind words. By the way, if you haven’t already, please make sure to subscribe for future videos. ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
I knew several of these stories, especially hook and chard. I myself have seen, the interview with colour sergeant bourne, and i would love it if you could cover him as well.
Such a shame about William Jones. To end up in a work house after not only surviving the Battle of Rorke's Drift, but also being awarded his countries highest medal of Gallantry & Honor, the Victoria Cross is a Shame, that unfortunately we have seen repeated time & time again since Queen Victoria's time. We Love a Hero at that moment, then they quickly fade from memory, and that is the Shame. Thank You again for the wonderful retelling of this event in our Anglo-Saxon History, that in present time is being denigrated and even re-wrote to lessen the truly Brave and un-selfish actions of these True Hero's.
I just subscribed to your magnificent channel. Learning the details about the Rorke's Drift defenders has been a revelation since I've been a lifelong fan of the film ZULU. And I still love it. Still, knowing the truth and full scale of what happened there is important. So thank you. I attended a small boarding school outside Chicago and, to my delight, our school song was to the tune of Men of Harlech.
I watched the movie with Michael Caine Zulu when it first came out I was just a kid but I always wondered what happened to those guys and now I know I think I liked what I thought in my imagination these guys live through I never thought that it was dire straits and it makes me sad thank you for expanding all their stories
Awesome stuff, can you do a history of HMS Defence in 1916 at the Battle of jutland, my ggf was a RMA bombardier on the ship, would be awesome to know more of the history, I know a fair bit, but I'm sure you have more access to things than I do.
I have always loved history, and l did a prodject myself on the Anglo Zulu war when l was at school. Although l knew quite a bit , l didn’t know that Bromhead had ptsd, poor guy. I suppose l shouldn’t be surprised, as traumatic events do lead to this. Had no idea that he was so sensitive.❤ Thank you for filling in the gaps.
A very poignant but affectionate retelling of the personal stories of the heroes of the defense of Rorke’s Drift and its aftermath that changed the remainder of their lives-several with tragic consequences. In the Zulu film, there was a scene after the battle where Bromhead (Michael Caine) revealed to Chard (Stanley Baker) that he felt “shame” for the carnage he just participated and witnessed-a hint of the PTSD that’ll malign him afterwards. Thank you, indeed, for this modern-day tribute to these brave men.
Brian, that is a very good observation, which I had missed. If you haven't already, please make sure to subscribe for future videos. ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap Chris
In the film I felt that Michael Caine playing Bromhead felt sick and sickened by the carnage. That would of been my reaction if I'd been through something like that.
A fascinating video, thank you. I came across it after a WhatsApp chat with my brother in the UK, (I'm in OZ), about our grandfather, who was the "matron' of a ward at Nell Lane Hospital during WW1. (He actually had later-to-be Admiral Doenitz in there.) But he knew William Jones and left a photo of him. My father, rather stupidly sent it to Stanley Baker in 1964, thinking he'd be interested. He received no acknowledgement, and never got it back. I've had a bit of a Rorke's Drift nostalgia-day, watching your excellent videos and even "Zulu" on UA-cam!
Thankyou very much for uploading this video on my mother's side I'm related directly to Alfred Hanry Hook, we actually still have his VC. Medal, I was very unhappy with how he was portrayed in the movie by James booth, Alfred was a very highly spoken man not a drunk that they portrayed in the movie...all in all thankyou very much
My pleasure. You must be very proud to have such a brave man as a relative. If you haven’t already, please make sure to subscribe for future videos. ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
I enjoyed this. A good watch. I did pick up one schoolboy howler when you referred to Allen hailing from Northumbria. That term was last used by The Vikings & has been Northumberland for at least a thousand years. Minor quibble though all things considered!
My partners Great, Great Grandfather was a soldier there, She has his diary from the time. It is very interesting reading, quite eye opening to say the least.
As a retired military man, you can imagine just how bad this effects me! Absolutely disgraceful that these men, who performed as hero's during what had to be one of, if not, the most, dramatic fight against probably the most overwhelming odds, in which any group of men were able to be victorious. Even today, we see our Vets, homeless, with PTSD & not getting the help they deserve. I want to commend the "History Chap" on this outstanding video. I saw the movie when it came out, watch it whenever I can, because, it shows the determination, bravery & ingenuity, of a small group of men, holding firm against tremendous odds & come out "alive" & victorious! Tom USMC
Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment
EXCELLENT !!! Britain has a long history of treating its heroes and soldiers very badly from Waterloo until today !
Unfortunately, you are right
Most ex military, navy peopke h ave been treated disgracefully by this country for hundreds of years....and 2024 is no different....
I have always been fascinated by the Battle of Rork's Drift, and been inspired by the raw bravery of how under 100 British soldiers could take on and defeat over 4,000 brave Zulus, held together by the leadership of their officers and their own discipline & training. On a recent visit to India, I found the grave of Gonville Bromhead in Allerabad - it was covered in growth so I paid the locals to remove all the rubbish & brushwood and hence return this brave VC winner to the sunlight; it was an honour so to do
Wow, that is one of the graves I haven’t been too. So much British military history has some sort of connection to India.
Wow, thats amazing, and well done
Bravo Sir..
Il be visiting his grave in December. Aside from Scheiss obviously it will be the last Rorkes drift VC winners grave I have left to visit.
Thank you for honouring him, as he like all the others deserved it.
"It is Tommy this and Tommy that and it's Tommy how's your soul. But it's thin red line of hero's when the drums begin to roll"-R Kipling
Thanks for commenting.
@@TheHistoryChap Thanks but you made a worthy video. These VC receivers remind me a lot of Ira Hays
Yes I'll never forget what's his name.
@@michaelwhisman Do you prefer soldiers who decide where and when they will fight?
@@michaelwhisman
Then you can ask the same question pertaining to any white person in South Africa, not just British soldiers.
Robert Jones is my Great Great Great Grandfather. A source of great pride within the family, and also us being a long standing military family, (Every generation has served and unfortunately been to war). A final point, contrary to popular belief it wasn't the South Wales Borderers who fought at Rorke's Drift, it was actually the Warwickshire Regiment. They became the South Wales Borderers 2 years after the Zulu war was over. History was brought forward in the film because Stanley Baker was Welsh and he wanted more "Welshness" in the film.
Matthew, thank you for sharing your family story.
You are right about the regimental name ( they only became the SWB in 1881).
Stanley Baker gave it a Welsh spin whereas the reality was that they were in the minority (actually as many Irish as Welsh fighting there!)
You.must be very proud🙏
@@kendignam6892 We're all very proud. I took my children to the Imperial War Museum where his medal is on display, even my 10 year old daughter who has no interest in history, "Because it's boring", teared up a little. I have 10 medals of my own which mean very little to me if I'm honest. All they do is remind me of things that I'd rather forget, but I'm incredibly proud of him and to be related to him.
They might mean very little to you, and I don't know you, but as one former Welsh soldier to another - well done, da iawn.@@matthewjones9565
Yes you are correct. I'm from Warwickshire and love military history and especially the zulu wars. I found this out a few years ago but nobody seems to know as they just refer to the film.
As a welshman and a vet of 2 royal welsh who's predecessors were at rorks drift I just want to say thank you (diolch) for bringing this incredible moment in British/welsh history to life again and 11 V.C not bad atall
My pleasure.
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The 2 Jones are related to me! My father Wilfred Jones came to Canada 1900. He served I ww1.
As you are probably aware then being a veteran, it was the 2nd Warwickshire Regt at Rorke’s Drift.
Of which there were Welsh, English and some Irish.
See? ❤
@@clementjones7277 William Jones was English, born in Bristol.
Brilliant! Thank you for keeping their memory and all their brothers in arms heroism alive.
Nice words. Glad you liked the video.
Very stalwart & courageous Men, who all deserve to be remembered. Some - in later life - fell upon hard times or were sadly, but very understandably, haunted by the hugely traumatic events of that fateful Day… Your admirable desire to seek out & relate a little of their individual tales, did them all proud, Chris. Thank you & well done… 🤝
Thank you for those poignant words and for your support.
It was quite special visiting some of the graves.
I used to visit Hitch's grave quite often as it's near my old home in Hammersmith. It's certainly a very impressive monument to a brave man and believe the small white stone plaque with a VC engraved into it on the right of the photo was stolen once or twice, which is a pretty sick thing to do in my opinion, but was replaced from time to time.
Incidentally, the part of 'Surgeon Reynold' was played in the movie by the actor Patrick Magee, who was the father of a very good friend of mine and also lived fairly close to the cemetery.
Eric, you are right about Hitch's memorial being impressive.
Nice to hear about your connection to the film too.
Chris
ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
As ever, a very informative video. The British Army has a poor record on the care of it's heroes and veterans. My uncle was a prisoner of the Japanese in Burma and for the rest of his life he suffered terribly from the effects of malaria, malnutrition and the barbaric Japanese guards who pulled out his fingernails as a punishment. He received no psychological treatment upon returning home and turned to drink on many occasions in his attempts to ward off his demons. Thankfully the army of today seems to understand PTSD.
Thanks for sharing that very personal story.
The army might not get it 100% right now but I guess the support (& understanding of PTSD) is better than in the past.
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Chris
Same with my grandfather , he died from malaria after Burma. No help, no recognition. Nothing.
MY father's cousin was taken prisoner by the Japanese in Singapore and spent about four years working on the building of the Burma Railway in Thailand. He was forced to bury his friend alive after his friend had been tortured...
@@TheHistoryChap the understanding of PTSD is worldwide now and fully scientifically documented. However, the Army's response is to medically discharge sufferers, before Pension Pay outs. Therefore, many suffer in silence just to get that pension hop off point. Recognising and proper response is a miss match sadly.
Frederick Hitch VC is a relative of mine, and Frederick is a common middle name in our family. Just to fill in a couple of gaps for you 🙂, the story about being robbed of his VC has always been taken with a pinch of salt within the family for reasons too numerous to go into here, he had nine children who survived out of childhood one of which he called Victoria and one of his granddaughters was still alive in the 1980s living in the white city area of London where my branch of the family come from. Another branch left the UK and settled in America. Right up until the 1990s if your surname was Hitch and you Excelled at school then the British army came recruiting. It's my understanding that the regiment now has both the original VC and the reissued one although I never followed that information up because I myself left the UK 20 years ago.
He did very well in that fight.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Living in the uk today feels like being transported back to Rorkes Drift
@@leanatale7251 Yeah, but without any officers or Martini Henrys.
Then you can feel justly proud
This old soldier 🫡 his memory.
Whilst ive reservations about Britain being there at all is besides the point ......He Was one Brave Man who 🫡🇬🇧🫡
Seeing the movie " ZULU " when I was seven years old sparked an interest in the British Army during Victorian times which brought me to this channel . Thank you for all the hard work you put in doing the research and making these videos . God bless you and stay safe.
Thank you for those very kind words.
While working in South Africa between 1993 and 1995, I visited Rourkes drift on my way back to Pretoria from a visit to Durban. I remember how remote the site was, and how the hill overlooking the Hospital area where the Zulu's first fired on the troops must have been terrifying. I do not think many people visited the site. I bought some postcards from a guy who I surpose "looked after" the place and took some photo's. I got into my car and continued with my journey. It was'nt until I saw this video by accident that I recalled my experience. I think I am a slightly better person for my visit. Thanks for making this video, it was really interesting to me.
Thank you so much for sharing your personal link to the battlefield.
Glad you enjoyed my video.
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Agree, that regi museum in Brecon is excellent! When I was on an exchange with the Brit Army in Catterick in 2012 , I visited Brecon and went walking in this beautiful area. It was interesting as I was always getting mistaken for a Gurkha. I should explain ( I did not know this before I went there) that the Gurkhas form a big part of the ? battle school which I think is based near the town (?). Consequently ,there are a number of ex-Gurkha soldier run businesses in the town, including several excellent eateries, which I am sure you noticed. I'm Australian, but my ancestors were from Malaya and of course the slouch hat is our standard head dress. Thus=easy to be mistaken for a Gurkha, although I must say Gurkhas are the finest group of men to be confused with, if one has the choice! And whilst I am here: thankyou for your videos and please keep them coming- indeed, I have subscribed!
Great story, Ron :)
Yes, I did notice a few Gurkha restaurants in Brecon!
Thanks for subscribing.
Chris
Great comment and an antidote to some of the bile on YT re the only real Australians are white etc..same claims made re Kiwis and Yanks of course, as apparently if you dont create a country etc and develop it, you lose any claim to it..kind of like taking over that old house with the overgrown lawn and evicting the owner on a "you didnt do much with it, so its mine now" basis
You will find them in every garrison town, great allies but dangerous enemies, had many gurkhas I could call friends!
@@eclipse7436 aye and another lot that have not really been treated well by the Govts of the past......
Fantastic video thank you. I often think of Private Henry Hook when visiting The British Museum but wasn’t aware he died so soon after retirement. It’s also sad how he was portrayed in Zulu, so different from the truth. However here’s to all these brave men.
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As much as he was portrayed, a bit of a 'bad lad', Hooky was everyones favourite, when i was a kid!
It's so wrong that he was portrayed that way in the film. He was a decent man but at least the film got his courage and bravery right.
Hi , this is one of my favourite episodes in military history , the way you presented this video was brilliant ,I love your channel , please keep it up .
Many thanks, Linda.
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Chris
I must say I truly enjoyed this episode you produced because too often you never hear about what happens afterwards. It was really awesome to learn about what happened after the battle I also have great respect for the way you defended the reputations some of the heroes of rorke's drift. Well-done, sir and kudos to you.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching
If it was. Not.for.youpeople we.would.never.have know n about these facts
Thank you. I visited both battlefields, Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift at the end of 1995 and it was a moving experience. To see the the area they fought in and stood their ground was amazing but the overwhelming feeling was, what on earth were they doing there? It's remote but back then it must of felt like the end of the earth, a differing attitude back then as it was all about conquest. There was a guy tending the hospital site when we got there who first ask me was I a relative (no) as that was the only type of people who visited at that time, and also asked did I know where all 11 were buried? No I didnt but now you have answered that question.
Glad I have helped Jerry.
@@TheHistoryChap Some years ago I was reading a copy of "Country Life" or some other glossy in the doctor's waiting room, I came upon an article about Rorke's Drift, and it was said that various artefacts, like tunic buttons, belt buckles, etc were still being picked up off the battlefield - the local chidren would scavenge for items and then sell them to the tourists!
@@GrannySeaYes, on the Isandlwana battlefield you can still find buttons, badges, buckles, metal remnants of rifles, bayonets and spears. The bodies of the people that died on the battlefield remained where they fell untouched.
Even today you need permission from the local Zulu chief to go onto the actual battlefield.
A bit of trivia as well. Some of the buttons, buckles and badges on the tunics of the casts uniforms in the movie Zulu. We're actually authentic items found at Isandlwana. Plus originals were used to cast and recreate items for the other uniforms.
Excellent as always. Very sad what happen to many of these heros. I served as a U.S. Marine more than fifty years ago and I was very moved by this. A warrior is a warrior regardless of nation or politics and I respect the warriors. I enjoy your videos very much sir! This has moved me to give financial support for your superb work.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Back in the 1980s I was employed as a civilian ship's captain by the Ministry of Defense (Royal Corps of Transport-Army Dept).
We ordered a dozen or so 15 metre fast patrol boats, which were to be employed around the UK coast as range safety craft. All the craft were named after George Cross or Victoria Cross recipients.
One of these craft was named the James Dalton VC, who fought at Rorke's Drift. A fitting honour for a brave soldier.
Thanks so much for sharing that memory
I was aware that some of the VC repients fell on desperate times after the battle I had no idea of the scale of it though, another cracking video nonetheless, well done.
Thank you and I'm glad that you enjoyed it.
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Well done indeed! Keep up the excellent work, History Chap.
the Gifts of a feudalistic class system are always giving
This was so interesting. It answered a question for me. I figured that those who had served in such horrific battles would have PTSD, and you confirmed that belief for me.
Thanks for watching.
My father inlaw served in Burma in ww2. He was part of a special force trying to rescue missionaries before the japs got them. What he witnessed made him hate the japanese all his life. In his last years he would relive those terrible events in his dreams machine gunning and shouting etc.....
Thank you very well put together. It is impossible to even try and imagine the terror and fear of that attack at Rorkes Drift, and then as many heros are, forgotten by society. So once again thank you for taking the time to research and out this video together.
it's my pleasure. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. ua-cam.com/users/TheHistoryChap
Brilliant video thanks you sir
I'm a proud irishman proper irish ,irish is my first language I was sux weeks old when my parents left me here in ireland while they continued to work in England where I had been born * guys and St thomas's) times back where tough and my parents where trying and succeeded in building a hone for me and two later my sister ,I've always been proud of the land of my birth The United Kingdom and you regularly reinforce that pride thank you
You are a strange individual.
Glad you enjoyed the video.
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I was in both the royal engineers (there's a building in Gibraltar barracks called Chard V. C.) and the royal regiment of Wales during my time in the army. Even though I have been told of those events, the bravery of the men there never ceases to amaze me. Keep up the good work with your videos (this is the 6th video in a row of yours I've watched).
Thanks for those kind words.
Excellent video. These men were all extraordinary soldiers and they deserve to be remembered
Thanks for your kind words.
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Loved this video! I loved learning about what happened to all these people. Thanks again from across the pond!
My pleasure John.
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Best wishes,
Chris
The bands never stop playing and they are always remembered. I can tell you that’s a fact. Just found your channel and a big thumbs up.
Thank you. Please subscribe to my channel.
Fascinating, and sad stuff. Thank you for a very informative video History Chap. Well presented. So sad that some of Britains national heroes end their days in sadness.
Thank you, Russ.
Glad you liked it.
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What a truly wonderful video. And you are spot on to call the Brecon museum the spiritual home of the 24th Foot, as it was the recruiting base for the outfit even though the HQ was elsewhere. Was it Warwickshire? In those days, of course, it was common for the actual HQ to be nowhere near the recruitment base. This was why there were so many Welshmen in the outfit, one, I know, from Cwmbran. The regiment was later renamed the South Wales Borderers. My father, grandfather and Great uncle all fought under that badge in the second and first world wars. My dad’s record was classed as exemplary. My grandad won the Military Medal in the trenches in France,
Thanks for sharing your family links to the South Welsh Borderers.
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Chris
Sgt William Allen VC was a Great Uncle on my father side he was from Northumberland probably Alnwick.
Another excellent video, Chris, thank you. I daresay that many of the other participants there - the often forgotten non-VC winners - also fell on hard times.
Unfortunately, I think we can assume they did.
Thank you for sharing this. Truly sad how events too often destroy those who survive them later in life
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Many thanks for this wonderful insights of these hero's lives. So sad that nothing has changed when soldiers return home. Rest in peace
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thank you for making this video, it’s very interesting and I’ve learnt a lot. I’m a descendant of Cpl William Allen and I’ve been trying to learn more about him and the people at Rorke’s drift. Thanks again keep up the hard work.
Thanks, Elliot.
Have you been to his grave in Monmouth?
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I haven’t yet, I’m planning to go this summer and I’m hoping to visit the Welsh borderers museum as well.
Yes just subscribed, I look forward to watching more of your videos.
Well done Chris, great video of a great action, please, please do more about the Victoria Cross, Lee.
Many thanks, I am really pleased that you enjoyed it.
Absolutely an excellent video capturing the humanness of the men involved. You are right when you say that it is sad. Kipling was right: "Lest we forget."
Thanks Joseph.
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Sir, you have done a wonderful job and I thank you. I was in the 24th Regt and the glories of the Regiment's deeds were drummed into us. I served in four minor wars with the 24th and I like to think we give of our best. Our standards were always of the highest. Hitch VC, his Gtreat great Grandson was our quartermaster, a real Gentleman! Bromhead's Great Great Nephew was our CO. Hook VC had a Great Great Great Grandson in the Regiment. The bloodline still flows well within the ranks, though the Regiment is now named The Royal Welsh.
Thanks for watching my video & for your interesting feedback.
Very well done and interesting ... incredibly sad how most of the lads ended up. There's a socialogy study in that for sure,
Thanks for those words
You just got a new subscriber with that.
Like many a young English lad Zulu blew me away when I saw it. I'm from Hackney and often pop down the British museum mostly for the classical Greek exhibition and I was amazed to learn from you that Hooky worked those corridors and halls that I walk down, given the place an extra historical narrative for me.
It was sad but also unsurprising that they suffered PTSD, a friend of mine slept in his car with his dogs for a year on his return from Afghanistan as he just couldn't settle. Kipling and the men at Rourkes would have understood that I think.
"When your left for dead on Afghanistan's plains, roll to your gun and blow out your brains"
I've probably misquoted Rudyard there, but you get the drift.
Off to check out your piece on the actual battle now.
Ta.
Thank you so much for the subscription and I totally sympathise with your thoughts on PSTD
As always, great video. Congrats on the continuing growth of the channel.
Many thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I visited Rorkes Drift last week, this was a great video. Thank you very much.
Many thanks.
very interesting, looking forward to the next one, thanks
Many thanks, Tim.
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Excellent piece of research, sensitively produced and presented. Thank you.
Thanks for your kind words.
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Thank for the video, from Peterchurch in Herefordshire!! Martin Jones
My pleasure. What a lovely village (apart from the sad story).
You would have thought Victoria would have put her hand in her pocket to help these incredible men. Thank you, that was excellent.
Glad you enjoyed my video, thanks for watching.
We visit both sites Rorkes Drift & Isandlwa as often as we can. Very moving experience every time.
Very long time since I visited Zululand but the graves in England and Wales were poignant in their own right.
Brilliant video and quite a sad one unfortunately. We should make sure we always look after all our heroes and all the men and women who have served and who still serve to keep us safe.
Totally agree with your sentiments.
Thanks for liking my video and for taking the time to comment.
Chris
Thank you for reminding us that great valour comes at a stiff price. God bless you Sir!
You are welcome.
That was very well researched and a lot of work.
It so sad how many of them ended their lives
Lest We Forget!
Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment
@ The History Chap. I would say the film 'Zulu' has been a huge influence on our generation, I bet you watched it when you were but a wee lad like me! And what a movie!
I did indeed.
The Zulu arrival is still a fantastic piece of cinema.
@@TheHistoryChap Agree! It is one of the best scenes in movie making from the last century with the music , especially the drum really 'making' the scene!
Cracking good story sir. Thank you for the efforts you put in to creating this video.
Many thanks, Cecil.
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Best wishes,
Chris
We're just a number
Enjoyed the program😊
Thanks for watching my video, glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for doing something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.
This was really interesting. Thank you.
My pleasure.
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Great presentation. Thank you for the thrilling episode about those heroic soldiers. Perfect!!
I’m glad that you enjoyed my story.
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Excellent video, now a subscriber!
Tim, Thanks for your support.
Really wonderful work and a really great channel.
I was fortunate to have visited Isladawana and Rorkes Drift when I did a big South African Road Trip with my then South African girl friend. It was a very moving experience! I also visited the site of Blood Rivier [Blood River] where hundreds of Zulus did attacking a wagon train of Boer settlers travelling to a new life only a few Boers did or were injured in the battle but the river became Red with blood from the Zulus!
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like one heck of a trip.
Excellent video - which was most informative. I knew Bromhead died in India but was unaware of what befell the others. Many thanks.
Glad you enjoyed.
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Brilliant piece of work, thank you so much for sharing this! You will probably know about this but I'll tell it anyway for people that wont, I tried finding my Gt Grandmothers grave in Barrow in Furness at the main cemetery there. Whilst searching for her, I came across a black granite headstone with a VC on it. This headstone belonged to Private Samuel Wassall (b 1856, d 1927), 80th Regiment of Foot, Staffordshire Volunteers. He was actually mounted infantry and in the film, "Zulu Dawn", at the end of the film, a mounted soldier rescues a soldier in the river who is carrying the colours. This mounted soldier was Private Wassall and it was for this action that he gained his VC. Keep up the great work, I really enjoyed this video and hopefully you can give all of us eager listeners more information on the other VC winners in the Zulu war.
Some sad stories from some of the bravest.
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Very well done. Thanks !
Glad you liked it!
Absolutely uplifting and sad at the same time, thank you for this amazing video.
Ubique
Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it
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Pte Robert Jones has the same name as myself. I was very saddened to find out many years ago that he took his own life. The good news in this video is that he did marry and had five children with his wife. They were all brave people at that battle. They should be remembered and respected for their courage against overwhelming odds.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
I only just discovered your channel and i must say well done absolutely great conrent
Thank you very much. Plenty more coming your way.
Wow, thank you for this sad piece of research, I knew very little of this history and the video has filled in many gaps, again, thank you.
Excellent video. I often wondered what happened to the VC winners....well done
You are welcome, glad that you enjoyed.
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Fascinating stuff. My best mate at Primary School's Father was one Richard Davies, of Please Sir fame, he played one of the VC recipients defending the Hospital iirc.
Fascinating
God bless them all. Thank you for this.
Hi Paul,
I’m glad that you enjoyed my story.
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Great VLOG, very interesting the background of the soldiers who were at Rorkes Drift. You have done a lot of research, well done sir.
Many thanks. I found the research (& the road trips) fascinating.
Amazingly good video and very moving. I am left feeling very proud of these gallant men but I also feel tearful.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
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Very moving video Chris on those VC winners at Rorkes Drift,brought a lump to my throat.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching
Fascinating, thank you so much for posting. Lest we forget.
Glad you enjoyed.
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Very interesting!! Brilliant video!! Very rare that you see so many winners of VC that actually survive the battle. I do believe that a lot of VC’s are awarded posthumously!
Thanks for adding that interesting thought
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Until 1907 policy was NOT to award it posthumously. When that changed a number of awards were made retrospectively to deserving candidates. It seems apparent that from WW1 onwards award of the VC was made significantly more difficult than initially...
Excellent presentation, as are every one of yours I viewed. I must point out, however, that a soldier doesn't "win" valor awards, he earns them, he is awarded them, but you may win a contest or lottery, that term is generally inappropriate in this context. I say this with respect as a retired US Army Warrior.
Thanks for your thoughts and kind words.
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Would you cover other VC winners in the same formate? Love what you’ve done❤️❤️❤️
Intending to do so, although with 1358 recipients it might take some time! Watch this space.
Your wonderful videos are so enlightening . So sorry I didn't subscribe before. Thank you for your time and effort.
Thanks for watching
A very interesting video which was obviously very well researched. I just love your
enthusiasm!!!!
Glad you enjoyed. many thanks for watching.
Very interesting / informative. Enjoyed.
Glad you enjoyed, James.
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I knew several of these stories, especially hook and chard. I myself have seen, the interview with colour sergeant bourne, and i would love it if you could cover him as well.
Bourne is a very interesting man.
@@TheHistoryChap I always loved the fact that he was not a big man like portrait In Zulu, and if I remember he wasn't very old to be a colour sgt.
Thanks for providing such detailed and informative knowledge on this piece of history, keep up your excellent work
Thanks, Emanuel.
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Such a shame about William Jones. To end up in a work house after not only surviving the Battle of Rorke's Drift, but also being awarded his countries highest medal of Gallantry & Honor, the Victoria Cross is a Shame, that unfortunately we have seen repeated time & time again since Queen Victoria's time. We Love a Hero at that moment, then they quickly fade from memory, and that is the Shame. Thank You again for the wonderful retelling of this event in our Anglo-Saxon History, that in present time is being denigrated and even re-wrote to lessen the truly Brave and un-selfish actions of these True Hero's.
My pleasure
I just subscribed to your magnificent channel. Learning the details about the Rorke's Drift defenders has been a revelation since I've been a lifelong fan of the film ZULU. And I still love it. Still, knowing the truth and full scale of what happened there is important. So thank you. I attended a small boarding school outside Chicago and, to my delight, our school song was to the tune of Men of Harlech.
Thanks for your support, glad you enjoyed my video.
What a wonderful and enlightening story, well said, you should have 10 million views sir!
Daryl,
Thanks for your kind comments.
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Well done Chris,-another great video on people who should always be remembered1
Thank you.
A tremendous narrative, providing great historical detail.
Thanks for watching
I watched the movie with Michael Caine Zulu when it first came out I was just a kid but I always wondered what happened to those guys and now I know I think I liked what I thought in my imagination these guys live through I never thought that it was dire straits and it makes me sad thank you for expanding all their stories
Zulu is still one of my favourite war movies even after all these years. I’m glad you enjoyed my story
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC,THE VERY HIGHEST QUALITY,PUTS THE BLOODY BBC TO SHAME 😉❤️👍would recommend this gentlemen to everyone absolutely brilliant 🔥
Thanks so much Cliff.
Check out my latest video about the Boer War:ua-cam.com/video/u1JAVnchZQI/v-deo.html
Awesome stuff, can you do a history of HMS Defence in 1916 at the Battle of jutland, my ggf was a RMA bombardier on the ship, would be awesome to know more of the history, I know a fair bit, but I'm sure you have more access to things than I do.
Andy, planning to do the Battle of Jutland very soon. Make sure that you subscribe so you don't miss.
Outstanding video and information. The gallantry, heroism, and sacrifice of these brave men shall never be equaled.
Thank you for your kind words
I have always loved history, and l did a prodject myself on the Anglo Zulu war when l was at school.
Although l knew quite a bit , l didn’t know that Bromhead had ptsd, poor guy.
I suppose l shouldn’t be surprised, as traumatic events do lead to this.
Had no idea that he was so sensitive.❤
Thank you for filling in the gaps.
Thank you very much for watching my video and I’m pleased that you found it interesting
Touching. Fascinating. Informative. Thank you.
My pleasure. Thank you for watching
A very poignant but affectionate retelling of the personal stories of the heroes of the defense of Rorke’s Drift and its aftermath that changed the remainder of their lives-several with tragic consequences. In the Zulu film, there was a scene after the battle where Bromhead (Michael Caine) revealed to Chard (Stanley Baker) that he felt “shame” for the carnage he just participated and witnessed-a hint of the PTSD that’ll malign him afterwards. Thank you, indeed, for this modern-day tribute to these brave men.
Brian, that is a very good observation, which I had missed.
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Chris
In the film I felt that Michael Caine playing Bromhead felt sick and sickened by the carnage. That would of been my reaction if I'd been through something like that.
Eternally Grateful for these men . They shape south africa .
A fascinating video, thank you. I came across it after a WhatsApp chat with my brother in the UK, (I'm in OZ), about our grandfather, who was the "matron' of a ward at Nell Lane Hospital during WW1. (He actually had later-to-be Admiral Doenitz in there.) But he knew William Jones and left a photo of him. My father, rather stupidly sent it to Stanley Baker in 1964, thinking he'd be interested. He received no acknowledgement, and never got it back. I've had a bit of a Rorke's Drift nostalgia-day, watching your excellent videos and even "Zulu" on UA-cam!
Thanks for watching my video & for taking the time to share your family story.
Very well done, Thank you.
My pleasure. Glad you enjoyed it.
Just found this site you did a fantastic presentation thank you looking forward to watching all of your others
Welcome aboard, glad you enjoyed my video.
Thankyou very much for uploading this video on my mother's side I'm related directly to Alfred Hanry Hook, we actually still have his VC. Medal, I was very unhappy with how he was portrayed in the movie by James booth, Alfred was a very highly spoken man not a drunk that they portrayed in the movie...all in all thankyou very much
My pleasure.
You must be very proud to have such a brave man as a relative.
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I'm also related to Henry Hook. He was my Great Great Grandfather.
was it your aunties then that hit the roof about it when it opened?
I enjoyed this. A good watch. I did pick up one schoolboy howler when you referred to Allen hailing from Northumbria. That term was last used by The Vikings & has been Northumberland for at least a thousand years. Minor quibble though all things considered!
Minor quibble allowed!
Glad you enjoyed it.
My partners Great, Great Grandfather was a soldier there, She has his diary from the time. It is very interesting reading, quite eye opening to say the least.
I bet! Thanks for sharing a wonderful story.