Every time television shows the movie from childhood on my brother and I both watch it. My brother and I both served in the American army as paratroopers, myself in Vietnam. The story of Henry Hook and Roarke’s Drift is inspiring . Those soldiers never stopped believing in themselves. The Zulu respect them. Thank you for allowing us to learn more and this hero.
I Live in Cwmbran, South Wales. John Williams VC is buried in a small churchyard at Llantarnam. Well worth a visit, with a nice pub next to the Church.
I wish he had mentioned that. In the movie he was portrayed as a drunk and faking an illness, when in fact he was a teetotaler and the hospital cook. Likewise the Swedish missionary Otto Wilt was also severely maligned in the movie.
James Booth was superb as Hook. Maybe his character was maligned but Hook in the film was a loveable rogue and very brave so I don't think the film did any serious damage to the man.
Absolutely one of the greatest war movies ever. I remember my father took me to the Premier in 1964. I’ve seen this movie so many times in my life and it gives me great thrill to watch it even now.
I saw the movie Zulu as a kid but as I grew older I learned the truth about Henry Hook and what a truly brave man he was, In the movie he was portrayed unfairly as a shirker and malingerer nothing could have been further from the truth, The film makers should have told the truth it would have made the film so much better.
I agree. Film makers should depict "real people" accurately or otherwise they should use a fictitious name . I understand that Hook's relatives walked out of the Premiere of Zulu in disgust.
@@Kaiserbill99 Yes they certainly did leave in disgust and rightly so, www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1045005/The-battle-rehabilitate-Zulus-Henry-Hook-film-portrayed-drunken-malingerer.html Here is a news story they have been campaigning to restore his good name since 2008 as far as i can see I hope it's of interest to you it includes the story of his family walking out of the movie.
lance allison The British Army on campaign in 1879 would be no place for a shrinking violet. Indeed, flogging was still a form of punishment. The movie “Zulu” portrayed Pte. Hook as less than exemplary but that was before the SHTF, but cometh the hour, cometh the man. I still remember the big cheer from the cinema audience when Hook’s name was read out as one of the VC recipients. To be portrayed as a likeable rogue is no insult. Maybe the relatives of Hookie should have displayed a bit of the fortitude their forbear had shown and not walked out in a huff at the film’s premiere.
When the movie Zulu was premiered in 1964 in London descendants of some of the characters were invited to attend including Henry Hooks two daughters, (5:53) they were elderly ladies by then and were so horrified at the portrayal of their father as a malingering drunken thief that they walked out in disgust. In real life Hook was an honest soldier and a teetotaller. The producers of the film later issued an a apology to the Hook family.
Band of Brothers did the same thing to Lt Norman Dyke. Made him out to be a coward and shirker. He in fact had already won the Bronze Medal with Valor for bring out a wounded soldier from a mine field, this before Easy Company.
I really like how his character was portrayed: Clown, criminal, crooked, untrustworthy, etc but was fierce and brave without hesitation. It was an example of how great things were accomplished by otherwise "lower" people. I hope his family accepted the apology. . . Lol!
@Chris_Wooden_Eye The malaria suffering NCO who is Hook's nemesis in the movie and whom he goes back for to save is a completely made up character, no such man existed. I agree it makes for a good story line but nothing of Hook's portrayal beyond his undoubted bravery is true.
It could also have been simply Artistic License on the part of the writers, producers and director. By all accounts I've heard; Hook was a straightforward, family guy. Well . . that's boring . . Sorry. With all due respect; it's far more interesting to make him out to be some kind of low life. It not only adds to the movie, but presents a broad range of characters for people to tune in to. Without Hook's "transformation" all you have are a bunch of one dimensional heroes defending some church.
@@williamphillips6049 WTF does "one dimensional heroes ' mean? The movie portrayed a famous battle in British history, yes of course they used 'artistic licence' but in doing so they ruined the name of a good and heroic man just for sensationalism sake. Henry Hook VC and his family didn't deserve it. One dimensional or not. (rolls eyes)
At he premier of the film Zulu, Henry Hook's family were invited to attend and when they saw how the film was portraying their illustrious forebear, they got up and walked out.
In the movie he is portrayed as a drunken, insubordinate layabout, who fights like a demon when it's a question of saving his own precious hide. The family says he was actually a teetotaller who used to hold prayer meetings in the barracks. Fun fact : Michael Caine auditioned for the part of Henry Hook, but the producer said he didn't look like a Cockney (!) and could he do a posh accent ? He could, and the rest is history.
Arguably though, Hook is ultimately shown to have some real steel in his spine in the film. It was very rare at the time to give the Victoria Cross to enlisted men. I once read it was almost exclusively awarded to officers.
Alfred Henry Hook, known as Harry to his friends was a company marksman in the 2/24th. He was a lifelong tee-totaller and was posted to the hospital as part of the evacuation and NOT as a prisoner, as portrayed in the very excellent 1964 film "Zulu". It is true that members of his family walked out of the premier of the film in Leicester Square, London and later sued Diamond/Paramount for damages. Hook, produced one of the most detailed and well written accounts of the defence at Rorke's Drift than any other defender. He was also noted as being "more than worthy" of his Victoria Cross. He was fully entitled to wear the uniform rank of sergeant as he was a Sergeant Instructor of Riflery in a Territorial Army regiment at the time and THAT was his issued uniform. You mention Pte John Williams; Williams was also seconded to the hospital and was part of the gallant defence on the building and evacuation of the patients. Both received the VC and rightly so. Another Private with them, Joseph Williams was killed in that defence, he too would surely have been awarded the VC.
I was taken to see Zulu in the pictures(ABC Southampton I believe) at the age of 5 in 1964. The only scene I can remember from then was private Hitch getting his helmet shot off and replacing it the wrong way round. I think I actually had uncontrollable giggles over it. Since then I have watched it literally dozens of times, I never tire of it. I'm glad to read Hookeys true Story, but I still love the film character. Heroes are after all heroes, and any misdemeanours wiped clean, whether real or made up.
Mr Hook was a real man. A hero and a true gentleman. Thank you for sharing this. Im of Welsh decent and often wondered if any of my ancestors fought in any welsh regiment in this time period. I can only dream they did
This was very interesting and informative. Thank you. However, as a retired military officer, I encourage you to use the term “received” rather than “won” when referring to award of any medal for gallantry, since winning implies a contest or competition. Medals, such as the VC or the US Medals of Honor, are awarded for conspicuous merit, not through competition. Thank you for considering this suggestion. Keep on with the wonderful videos!
I am so grateful for The British Museum and The Wallace Collection and many others that give us a chance to see so much that we may never get to see in our regular lives. I hope you all know how important you are to so many. We will never meet but I send an earnest thank you to all of you who make these videos available to us all.
Andrew Jones: They got many things wrong in the film. Mk VI Webley revolvers over 20 years before they were invented. Drawn brass .577/.450 cartridges, (they were in fact rolled brass with soldered on iron head) not available until 1880 and not widely issued until a year after that. Chard was automatically Bromheads senior because as a Royal Engineer his commission wasn't subject to purchase thus making him several years Bromheads senior, which was in fact a very good thing, you'll agree especially since Bromhead was stone deaf. That's just a few to be going on with. I've got an original Mk III Martini and an Enfield .476 revolver which are the weapons actually in the Zulu campaign, though officers bought their own sidearms, so many would have had Beaumont Adams revolvers, Tranters and other Webley models. I feel embarrassed about everything that I see wrong in the movie and especially at the way Henry Hook was treated. One hopes that an apology and compensation was made to the family.
Great and very informative video. A VC is never lightly awarded and always attained through courage beyond that which most of us have. If you consider how many men and women have served in the face of the enemy since it was first presented in 1857 then the award of 1,358 medals makes you realise how rare these acts of bravery that are considered worthy are. Each VC recipient has been exceptional.
What a great story and to straighten out the mistakes that they made in the movie,, to face and overcome the insurmountable numbers facing them,, training and determination,, utmost bravery from all the men,, from Belfast good story,, ☘️☘️☘️☘️
First of all, what a fantastic channel for interested people that may not ever have the chance to visit the British Museum. I feel like I get a private tour with each episode, and the best part is that the presenter is very enthusiastic and an expert on the subject matter. Bored tour guides of the 20th century can dwell in the past. I find it sadly amusing that Mr. Hook can distinguish himself in battle in service of the British crown with accolades of gallantry, but he's not seen fit to lend help to the museum. Were they worried that he'd have a fugue and start hacking at the displays with his cane or pipe? John Williams' letter was very powerful. He clearly held Henry Hook in the highest esteem. Because of this video and that letter, his bravery lives on over 100 years after his death. English history is still being read.
As an Australian I have a healthy disrespect of those who were once our colonial overlords. Despite that, I think Henry Hook, malingerer or not, is one of history's finest examples of the British fighting spirit. Tis little wonder that then they were able to build an empire such as the world had never seen before.
Thank you Hook. A true Englishman. A shame that the BBC don't choose to showcase true heroes like Hook.......... but no, they wouldn't would they.........??
Freddy, The term 'British', in BBC is a misnomer. There is nothing British about the BBC. Each and every presenter is a traitor to Britain. They all sing from the same hymn book, and they know it. It is an organisation set on the destruction of Britain. The sinister media are behind this.
But if they can find one Trinadadian airman who taxied planes on and off at the runway, during the Battle of Britain, you'll never hear the end of it....
2nd battalion 24th foot......Royal Warwickshire Regiment......no Ivor Emmanuel singing 'Men of Harlech'! Many years ago I was checking a customer's paperwork,surname Hook,living in Gloucestershire and I casually asked "Related to Henry?". He confirmed that he was a descendant and regrettably I have forgotten exactly what his connection was but we had a nice chat and it was a great pleasure to meet him. I first saw the film 'Zulu' when I was 12,at grammar school as cadets we used to spend a week on the Brecon Beacons and managed to talk one of our teachers into taking us into Brecon to the SWB museum but as a Stratford-upon-Avon boy it excited me even more when I discovered that 2/24 were R.Warwicks! 'Washing Of The Spears' has been a permanent resident of my bookshelf for decades.
Yes the movie portrayed Hook poorly for added drama, but most know the truth about him. It's great work you're doing to showcase these and other treasures of history. Well done! Thank you.
I suddenly want to see a historically accurate remake of Zulu that features Henry Hook as he actually was, not the drunken complainer that they originally portrayed him as.
Color Sargent Frank Bourne was nothing like as-portrayed in the movie either. Unlike the magisterial Nigel Green, Bourne who was 24 and 5' 6" was the youngest NCO in the British Army. He was the last surviving defender from Rorke's Drift, dying on VE Day (8 May 1945), at the age of 91. Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Edward Bourne OBE DCM (April 1854 - 8 May 1945)
Commissary Dalton also got thoroughly character-assassinated in the film. He's portrayed as weak-willed and effete, who doesn't do much of anything other than get shot while handing out ammunition, and we're left at the end of the film wondering why the deuce he received the VC. In fact, the real James Dalton was a former senior NCO who'd served numerous campaigns during his years in the ranks before retiring in 1871, and continued to serve as a civilian volunteer. He also stood 6' tall (a near giant for the time) and was powerfully built. As for why he received the VC, it's in part because it was he and not Chard or Bromhead who came up with the plan to defend the mission station. He also fought with great distinction on the firing line, at one point saving the life of a wounded hospital orderly. When he was badly wounded, in true British fashion he calmly handed his rifle to Lieutenant Chard and told him he could make better use of it. After the war, when B Company, 2/24th was marching through Pinetown, they spotted Dalton among the cheering crows. Some of the men broke ranks, grabbed Dalton, and compelled him to march with them, while loudly proclaiming him as "The bravest man we ever knew!"
@@terrorcop101 Funny enough, I might (key word is *might*). I'm actually the author of a series of novels on the Zulu War, which cover the entire conflict, not just Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. My hope is to eventually get them picked up for a cable / streaming series, preferably by HBO. I don't think they would work as cinema films, due to time constraints, censorship, etc. I actually know the producer of the upcoming Watchmen HBO series, and he's told me he's reading my Zulu War books, so who knows?
My dad took me to see Zulu when i was little, and i loved it. For nostalgic reasons, I still do, but I’m disgusted with the way the film makers trashed the reputation of Henry “Harry” Hook. Far from being “a thief, a coward, and an insubordinate barrack-room lawyer”, he was a model soldier, and a teetotaler. Had he really been like the film character, I suspect he wouldn’t have been awarded the VC, but merely been absolved of his crimes and been allowed to go back on duty, as a reward for doing his job. Shame on Stanley Baker and Cy Endfield. Rest easy, Private Hook.
"Hookee- that's company punishment!" Well, don't forget during the making of the movie's time the anti- hero was played up in most "kitchen sink" dramas, actor James Booth (born David Geeves); (19 December 1927 - 11 August 2005) did a superb job as such, granted it was played with great licence of facts, but his characterization was enthusiastically embraced by moviegoers of the time, so in a way, Hook was indeed viewed as a flawed, but genuine hero.
The movie "Zulu" is one of my favorites and I bought a DVD to watch occasionally. I am very unhappy to learn that this great man was so abused by the film. I think of him and the others at Rorke's Drift, and it gives me the chills to think of what happened there. It is a scandal that this man was thought to be suitable only for dusting shelves and caring for umbrellas. The film makers should be embarrassed, and should issue an apology. Rorke's Drift is on a par with "The Charge of the Light Brigade" and better, because the "charge" was the result of a poorly written and badly interpreted order. I suspect that if Pvt. Hook was an officer, he would have been treated much better. Cheers to Chelmsford for trying to help him, though.
Aw come on. His character adds to the drama--it's a movie, not a documentary. Don't make it into a case of malice or class warfare. He ends up being redeemed and a hero--so perhaps the moral of the story, although in this case fictitious.
@@locarnese5598 Except that he was a real man who apparently was ill used, both in the movie and later in his life. He has living descendants who understandably felt insulted, as I would be, and as you would be? I stand fully by my earlier comment. If he was merely a "character...to the drama" the film makers should not have used his real name.
@@peterpuleo2904 Same. Movie or not, when it has such a pretense about being as accurate as possible, then characters named after real ones should have their actions closely resembling that of their models and real-life namesakes.
@@peterpuleo2904I don't know where you're getting the idea that he was "ill used". There's no evidence at all of his being badly treated in the army and back home his connections were able to help him get the job he wanted. You may look down on that job but Hook - a former farm labourer and private soldier - would likely have seen it as a fairly cushy little number: secure, indoors, comfortable and respectable. From what's being said here, it's the job he really wanted. And presumably a job he would not have been able to get without Chelmsford's testimonial.
Lord Chelmsford was indeed his overall commander but he personally had nothing to do with Rorkes Drift. It was a rearguard action after the biggest defeat for the British Army in years.. Chelmsford was responsible. I am talking about Isandlwana. Without going into detail, I can safely say the man was an arrogant fool who totally underestimated his Zulu enemy. It is my opinion he should have faced a courts martial but such was the influence of the upper classes in those days, he was safe.
Adrian. I totally agree with you. He reminds me of another arrogant fool. G.A.Custer,who completely underestimated his enemy. He thought of them as uncivilized savages and thought of himself as invincible,then the opposition showed up and the rest as they say is History.
@Gary Daniel No. My comment was on the conduct of Two Commanding officers who totally underestimated their opponents,albeit in two different campaigns.
@Gary Daniel Gen Crook was in command at the previous battle at the Banks of the upper Rosebud,with a 1000+ troops. He played no part in the battle of the little big horn. His last great action was to accept the surrender of Geronimo. He was Apache by the way.
@Gary Daniel an "Axiom of the Military Art" is: Initial Reports are Always Three Times Worse than the Actual Situation" In other words, if the Scouts Report an Enemy Regiment, you are likely facing a Battalion... This was repeatedly the case in the American Civil War. General McClellan repeatedly Overestimated Lee's Army of Northern Virginia; resulting in many lost opportunities, extending the war by Years, costing tens of thousands of lives. Custer had experienced inaccurate reports, even from skilled scouts in battles during the Civil War, and in the Indian Wars. The gathering of the Tribes at the Greasy Gras (Little Big Horn) was (perhaps) the Largest Gathering of the Lakota, Hunkpapa, Arapaho, Cheyenne, etc. EVER! Thus the (generally Accurate) Reports from the Scouts Were Implausible... Custer went to the high ground to confirm the reports, and (along with some officers who were assigned to Benteen's and Reno's "battalions" survived) what Custer and others observed the morning Mists rising off the Big Horn River, and mingling with the camp fires concealed much of the encampment! Custer and others observed some teepees being taken down (probably a small group that was changing their location to another part of the camp), Presumed that a member of a hunting party had reported the presence of the 7th Cavalry Regiment... Although their orders were to wait until the next day to attack; they Also had Orders to "Fix the Enemy in Place" knowing that the 5th Cavalry Regiment and Crook's Infantry column would "March to the Sound of the Guns"; Not knowing Crook had been defeated at the Battle of the Rosebud a few days earlier! Custer was not an Idiot, and for many reasons he was Respected by the Lakota! Custer's body was Not defiled, as a measure of respect for him. Considering Custer an idiot cheapens the Victory of the Lakota and other tribes! They understood Crook & Custer, two of the most successful officers at fighting the various tribes in the US Army. They planned accordingly, assembled an Unprecedented force, and defeated the US Army at the Battles of the Rosebud and the Little Big Horn applying Effective and Unanticipated Tactics to specifically counter the (formerly) successful tactics of Crook & Custer! Rarely has any force so well anticipated an enemy, and successfully Executed their Plan upon a foe! Despite achieving victories, they were Pyric! Too many of their warriors died. The USA had to vast a population, and too many resources.
Wonderful tribute to a courageous soldier who in the movie Zulu is portrayed as a bit of a drunken skiver when in fact the army rightly so him as hero and obviously had engaged with the Zulus,we don't know if the spear was thrown or stabbed but obviously the Zulus were very close to him. Lovely video,not jingoistic or hostile,just fact based and complementary to a brave and humble man.
Fantastic!...it would be great to learn more about John Williams and the rest of the soldiers who were at Rorke's Drift. What a history! I began watching and learning way back when the movie Zulu came out in 64. I went to the Brecon museum a couple of times..it hasn't changed a bit. It certainly is spectacular to learn all this about Henry Hook and family.
Check out the Regimental Barracks Museum in Brecon, Wales, it's an excellent museum with a whole room devoted to the Zulu war and Rorkes Drift, it also contains most of the V.C. medals won at the Battle of Rorkes Drift.
I have visited his grave in Churcham twice. He was nothing like his movie character. In fact, his grandaughters walked out of the cinema in disgust, of how their hero grandad was portrayed.
Very interesting ,thank you. Should you ever be in SA you can visit Rorkes Drift and the surrounding battlefields .I can recommend The Day of the Dead Moon for anyone wishing to know more about this time.
Nice to see the correct information about Henry Hook, far from the malingerer shown in Zulu. Unfortunately it was The Warwickshire Regiment not the Welsh Regiment at the time of Roark's Drift.
The regiment was renamed the South Wales Borderers a year later, as their base was at the time of the conflict in Brecon and recruited substantially from the surrounding area.
@Johannes Liechtenauer A large area near Brecon is still owned by the Ministry of Defence now for training, with mock villages, and SAS hold selection trials there. The area is so much better suited to military training than Warwickshire, and was accessible by train in those days.
I watched Zulu recently. Reading up on the battle afterwards I was surprised Hook got a VC, in fact I was surprised he made it to the end of the movie. I suspected he was very badly misrepresented by the filmmaker.
He was terribly misrepresented. He was an upright, honest man and completely abstained from alcohol. It's a real shame, Zulu's an excellent film but the ahistorical treatment of Hook sours the experience.
@@markchambers3833 History according to Hollywood. It didn't improve the movie any bit portraying Hook as they did. His family must have been disappointed at the misrepresentation
Hook was in the British Museum militia. He started the shooting competition between the British Museum and the British Museum (Natural History) in Kensington. The cup he donated used to be in a cabinet in the BM staff canteen. I hope it's still there. The British Museum had a 25 yard indoor rifle range in a sub-basement of what was later part of the British Library.
“I need a transcription to read these letters”. What! I can read them perfectly, though I am an archivist and spend the day reading those types of letters.
Fascinating piece. One correction; Lord Chelmsford was not Hook's Regimental commander. He was overall Commander in Chief of British forces in Zululand .
A lot of people get hung up on Hook's unfair portrayal in "Zulu". However where it matters its an accurate portrayal of his bravery in the battle of the hospital. Its a decent character arc for the guy and at the end of the day the Movie immortalises the battle
It's true that Henry Hook was treated badly in the film but I'm sure that after suffering a speare to the head and paying for it later in life, i think we can excuse him the fact that he may have been seeking a quieter life. His heroics at rourks drift gave him a precious 26 more years.
My brother who worked for the local council was called to a job at a property overlooking Hadleigh castle, owned by the salvation army, who own all the land their.(Hadleigh country park) We as brother's loved the film Zulu, and always were reacting battles, imagine his surprise when he noticed a photo in the room and recognised hook (James Booth) from the film. He asked him if that was him and in a very nice voice said it was one of he's works, l later Google , he's life and it does mention he died in Hadleigh Essex England Where l and my family lived a short way away amazing
Congratulations to the British Museum! You are keeping Shakespeare's "prophecy" alive: "And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be rememberèd- We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition; And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day."
Zulu is a wonderful film, but completely inaccurate. Not only about Hook, but the regiment was a borders regiment. The nationalities in the battle were vast majority English. There were some Welsh and Scots too, but per capita of the regiment, less than you'd normally get in an English regiment. Stanley Baker, who produced the film, was Welsh and inserted the 'welshness' in for his own patriotism and for dramatic license. Not hatimg, Welsh are fine soldiers and a patriotic and decent people, but Rorkes Drift was fought by an English company, and was not in any way Welsh.
I always found it ironic that in the film it's Private William Jones who proclaims, "This is a Welsh Regiment", when in fact the real William Jones was English. I, too, love the Welsh, but as a historian I prefer accuracy. There were actually nearly as many (possibly more) Irish at Rorke's Drift as there were Welsh. The Scottish were the least represented, with only one confirmed Scotsman in B Company. I found that odd, as the 24th Regiment actually had a large number of Scottish officers, to include both majors of their 2nd Battalion.
Forever Changes The South Wales Borderers was a line infantry regiment of the British Army in existence for 280 years. It first came into existence, as the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1689. Based at Brecon, the regiment recruited from the border counties of Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Brecknockshire, but was not called the South Wales Borderers until the Childers Reforms of 1881. The regiment served in a great many conflicts, including the American Revolutionary War, various conflicts in India, the Zulu War, Second Boer War, and World War I and World War II. In 1969 the regiment was amalgamated with the Welch Regiment to form the Royal Regiment of Wales.
I might suggest that you look at the handwriting of the average 12 year old today and then criticise it. Also, unlike Lord Chelmsford's handwriting, it was actually legible. No ballpoint pens, no inkjet printers, just a steel pen dipped into an inkwell. Exactly the way I learned to write in the 1950's.
Allen Jenkins - My comment was not meant as criticism but as praise. I was not referring to calligraphy, but to the high standard of composition that people attained in those days - even those who did not have the benefit of post secondary education. A century ago many people who had made it through only six years of formal education understood the rudiments of syntax and grammar better than most university undergraduates do today. Their written expression was more articulate and grammatically correct compared to the way most students write today, perhaps because they were generally held to much higher scholastic standards. Simply put - in the western world, at least - elementary education was a great deal more rigorous and academically demanding than it tends to be nowadays.
Every time television shows the movie from childhood on my brother and I both watch it. My brother and I both served in the American army as paratroopers, myself in Vietnam. The story of Henry Hook and Roarke’s Drift is inspiring . Those soldiers never stopped believing in themselves. The Zulu respect them. Thank you for allowing us to learn more and this hero.
This is my Great, Great uncle. Thanks for the video! 👍
@drdavid I second that.
@Zip Zenac ...just because you have nothing to be proud of, you should'nt attack others....
@Zip Zenac Clown
Sadly my most famous relative was a horse thief.
At least he wasn't a lawyer.
Wow. Meant no ill will via "Hookey" comment. A veritable legend as an ancestor.
I Live in Cwmbran, South Wales. John Williams VC is buried in a small churchyard at Llantarnam. Well worth a visit, with a nice pub next to the Church.
If you visit the South Wales Borderers museum in Brecon.
You will find his tombstone, laying upright in the path leading up to the museum.
A nice pub next to the church. Sums up South Wales very nicely, doesn't it.
@@allenjenkins7947 yes it does ..
Hook was sadly mistreated in the movie Zulu but in a superb performance by James Booth.
I wish he had mentioned that. In the movie he was portrayed as a drunk and faking an illness, when in fact he was a teetotaler and the hospital cook. Likewise the Swedish missionary Otto Wilt was also severely maligned in the movie.
Honestly thought Booth over-acted the role a bit. Hammy at points.
I wonder if the late James Booth, had any regrets playing a hero so falsely
James Booth was superb as Hook. Maybe his character was maligned but Hook in the film was a loveable rogue and very brave so I don't think the film did any serious damage to the man.
@@kevinshifflet6071 my sentiments exactly, it really would have done him justice to right that wrong.
Absolutely one of the greatest war movies ever. I remember my father took me to the Premier in 1964. I’ve seen this movie so many times in my life and it gives me great thrill to watch it even now.
I saw the movie Zulu as a kid but as I grew older I learned the truth about Henry Hook and what a truly brave man he was, In the movie he was portrayed unfairly as a shirker and malingerer nothing could have been further from the truth, The film makers should have told the truth it would have made the film so much better.
I agree. Film makers should depict "real people" accurately or otherwise they should use a fictitious name . I understand that Hook's relatives walked out of the Premiere of Zulu in disgust.
@@Kaiserbill99 Yes they certainly did leave in disgust and rightly so,
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1045005/The-battle-rehabilitate-Zulus-Henry-Hook-film-portrayed-drunken-malingerer.html
Here is a news story they have been campaigning to restore his good name since 2008 as far as i can see I hope it's of interest to you it includes the story of his family walking out of the movie.
The recorded history of the British in all spheres makes it so alive, kind of so-real. Love it.
lance allison The British Army on campaign in 1879 would be no place for a shrinking violet. Indeed, flogging was still a form of punishment. The movie “Zulu” portrayed Pte. Hook as less than exemplary but that was before the SHTF, but cometh the hour, cometh the man. I still remember the big cheer from the cinema audience when Hook’s name was read out as one of the VC recipients. To be portrayed as a likeable rogue is no insult.
Maybe the relatives of Hookie should have displayed a bit of the fortitude their forbear had shown and not walked out in a huff at the film’s premiere.
@@valaudae1809 Hook was portraid as a womaniser , malingerer , with an eye for the bottle , they had every reason to walk out
When I found out that Henry Hook VC was nothing like the way he was portrayed in Zulu, it made me very very happy. A real hero.
When the movie Zulu was premiered in 1964 in London descendants of some of the characters were invited to attend including Henry Hooks two daughters, (5:53) they were elderly ladies by then and were so horrified at the portrayal of their father as a malingering drunken thief that they walked out in disgust. In real life Hook was an honest soldier and a teetotaller. The producers of the film later issued an a apology to the Hook family.
Band of Brothers did the same thing to Lt Norman Dyke. Made him out to be a coward and shirker. He in fact had already won the Bronze Medal with Valor for bring out a wounded soldier from a mine field, this before Easy Company.
I really like how his character was portrayed: Clown, criminal, crooked, untrustworthy, etc but was fierce and brave without hesitation.
It was an example of how great things were accomplished by otherwise "lower"
people.
I hope his family accepted the apology. . . Lol!
@Chris_Wooden_Eye The malaria suffering NCO who is Hook's nemesis in the movie and whom he goes back for to save is a completely made up character, no such man existed. I agree it makes for a good story line but nothing of Hook's portrayal beyond his undoubted bravery is true.
It could also have been simply Artistic License on the part of the writers, producers and director.
By all accounts I've heard; Hook was a straightforward, family guy.
Well . . that's boring . . Sorry.
With all due respect; it's far more interesting to make him out to be some kind of low life. It not only adds to the movie, but presents a broad range of characters for people to tune in to.
Without Hook's "transformation" all you have are a bunch of one dimensional heroes defending some church.
@@williamphillips6049 WTF does "one dimensional heroes ' mean? The movie portrayed a famous battle in British history, yes of course they used 'artistic licence' but in doing so they ruined the name of a good and heroic man just for sensationalism sake. Henry Hook VC and his family didn't deserve it. One dimensional or not. (rolls eyes)
His Name was actually Alfred Henry Harry Hook... He is my ancestor and my Dad was named after him who also joined the army.
Read the description.
I helped restore his memorial
MrRenton96 the description is actually missing the Harry.
@Daddy G. I care.
At he premier of the film Zulu, Henry Hook's family were invited to attend and when they saw how the film was portraying their illustrious forebear, they got up and walked out.
In the movie he is portrayed as a drunken, insubordinate layabout, who fights like a demon when it's a question of saving his own precious hide. The family says he was actually a teetotaller who used to hold prayer meetings in the barracks. Fun fact : Michael Caine auditioned for the part of Henry Hook, but the producer said he didn't look like a Cockney (!) and could he do a posh accent ? He could, and the rest is history.
Cheers to the family
Arguably though, Hook is ultimately shown to have some real steel in his spine in the film. It was very rare at the time to give the Victoria Cross to enlisted men. I once read it was almost exclusively awarded to officers.
@@peterpuleo2904 Not true at all Peter, the VC covers all ranks and nationalities throughout its history. Check it out, it's a fascinating history.
I hope you are correct. I distinctly remember reading that for a long time it was reserved for officers, but I hope that was not the case. Thanks.
Fascinating. I am from South Wales and new a policeman who's great grandfather was at Rorke's drift.
Alfred Henry Hook, known as Harry to his friends was a company marksman in the 2/24th. He was a lifelong tee-totaller and was posted to the hospital as part of the evacuation and NOT as a prisoner, as portrayed in the very excellent 1964 film "Zulu". It is true that members of his family walked out of the premier of the film in Leicester Square, London and later sued Diamond/Paramount for damages.
Hook, produced one of the most detailed and well written accounts of the defence at Rorke's Drift than any other defender. He was also noted as being "more than worthy" of his Victoria Cross.
He was fully entitled to wear the uniform rank of sergeant as he was a Sergeant Instructor of Riflery in a Territorial Army regiment at the time and THAT was his issued uniform.
You mention Pte John Williams; Williams was also seconded to the hospital and was part of the gallant defence on the building and evacuation of the patients. Both received the VC and rightly so. Another Private with them, Joseph Williams was killed in that defence, he too would surely have been awarded the VC.
I was taken to see Zulu in the pictures(ABC Southampton I believe) at the age of 5 in 1964. The only scene I can remember from then was private Hitch getting his helmet shot off and replacing it the wrong way round. I think I actually had uncontrollable giggles over it. Since then I have watched it literally dozens of times, I never tire of it. I'm glad to read Hookeys true Story, but I still love the film character. Heroes are after all heroes, and any misdemeanours wiped clean, whether real or made up.
Mr Hook was a real man. A hero and a true gentleman. Thank you for sharing this. Im of Welsh decent and often wondered if any of my ancestors fought in any welsh regiment in this time period. I can only dream they did
Very nice. History is nuanced to say the least. Wonderful to hear the epilogue of Private Hook.
Thank you for keeping his heroic memory alive.
This was very interesting and informative. Thank you. However, as a retired military officer, I encourage you to use the term “received” rather than “won” when referring to award of any medal for gallantry, since winning implies a contest or competition. Medals, such as the VC or the US Medals of Honor, are awarded for conspicuous merit, not through competition. Thank you for considering this suggestion. Keep on with the wonderful videos!
@Gary Daniel Yes...earned....I think that the term 'earned' conveys a stronger sense of bravery and effort than just 'awarded'.
Right you are!
Getting into etymology bullshit. Won is great in my book, being an English Anglo-Saxon word and all.
I am so grateful for The British Museum and The Wallace Collection and many others that give us a chance to see so much that we may never get to see in our regular lives. I hope you all know how important you are to so many. We will never meet but I send an earnest thank you to all of you who make these videos available to us all.
i,ve seen his grave , its at Churcham just outside Gloucester, its a lovely headstone , he was obviously well thought of
Andrew Jones: They got many things wrong in the film. Mk VI Webley revolvers over 20 years before they were invented. Drawn brass .577/.450 cartridges, (they were in fact rolled brass with soldered on iron head) not available until 1880 and not widely issued until a year after that. Chard was automatically Bromheads senior because as a Royal Engineer his commission wasn't subject to purchase thus making him several years Bromheads senior, which was in fact a very good thing, you'll agree especially since Bromhead was stone deaf. That's just a few to be going on with. I've got an original Mk III Martini and an Enfield .476 revolver which are the weapons actually in the Zulu campaign, though officers bought their own sidearms, so many would have had Beaumont Adams revolvers, Tranters and other Webley models. I feel embarrassed about everything that I see wrong in the movie and especially at the way Henry Hook was treated. One hopes that an apology and compensation was made to the family.
Really enjoyed this! I visited Rorke's Drift in the early 1980's and it had not changed much.
These men and boys are heroes they come across men that were also heroes
A very brave man. Thank you.
Thank you, for bringing these little historical snipbits! Cheers!
You don't win a Victoria Cross. You are awarded a Victoria Cross.
Don't you win an award though?
Only after great duress..possibly death.
A VC or any gallantry medal is earned.
Too bloody right!!
@@imjustaguy8232 -It's in the name Roy...AWARD, you dolt.
Excellent.
140 years ago, another time, another place...
Great and very informative video.
A VC is never lightly awarded and always attained through courage beyond that which most of us have. If you consider how many men and women have served in the face of the enemy since it was first presented in 1857 then the award of 1,358 medals makes you realise how rare these acts of bravery that are considered worthy are. Each VC recipient has been exceptional.
It is wonderful to have South Africa history on UA-cam.
What a great story and to straighten out the mistakes that they made in the movie,, to face and overcome the insurmountable numbers facing them,, training and determination,, utmost bravery from all the men,, from Belfast good story,, ☘️☘️☘️☘️
Thank you for sharing. The movies of hero’s like home open people’s eyes. Then we have to look for the truth. Thank you
Absolutely criminal what the film Zulu did to his image and reputation.
Sgt hook a very brave man well done
Regardless without the movie we wouldn’t know his name today
his character was twisted in the movie Zulu for dramatic purposes. It is good to see the real man discussed.
I visited his grave two years ago
First of all, what a fantastic channel for interested people that may not ever have the chance to visit the British Museum. I feel like I get a private tour with each episode, and the best part is that the presenter is very enthusiastic and an expert on the subject matter. Bored tour guides of the 20th century can dwell in the past.
I find it sadly amusing that Mr. Hook can distinguish himself in battle in service of the British crown with accolades of gallantry, but he's not seen fit to lend help to the museum. Were they worried that he'd have a fugue and start hacking at the displays with his cane or pipe?
John Williams' letter was very powerful. He clearly held Henry Hook in the highest esteem. Because of this video and that letter, his bravery lives on over 100 years after his death. English history is still being read.
M Ouija, class system
As an Australian I have a healthy disrespect of those who were once our colonial overlords. Despite that, I think Henry Hook, malingerer or not, is one of history's finest examples of the British fighting spirit. Tis little wonder that then they were able to build an empire such as the world had never seen before.
Thank you Hook. A true Englishman.
A shame that the BBC don't choose to showcase true heroes like Hook.......... but no, they wouldn't would they.........??
oh, get over yourself. so insecure.
Freddy, The term 'British', in BBC is a misnomer. There is nothing British about the BBC. Each and every presenter is a traitor to Britain. They all sing from the same hymn book, and they know it. It is an organisation set on the destruction of Britain. The sinister media are behind this.
But if they can find one Trinadadian airman who taxied planes on and off at the runway, during the Battle of Britain, you'll never hear the end of it....
@@danielpatrick3761. Ha, ha! Great and very, very true comment!
No their all identity marxsist who are antiwhite and antifreedom you must confirm to their communist control
That was great.....really enjoyed your presentation and very informative.
Thanks for posting.
Just discovered this channel on you tube. Extremely informative program. I'll be visiting again.
Well told Henry. Fantastic connection to the museum.
I really enjoyed this,thank you
Incredible video. Thank you.
2nd battalion 24th foot......Royal Warwickshire Regiment......no Ivor Emmanuel singing 'Men of Harlech'! Many years ago I was checking a customer's paperwork,surname Hook,living in Gloucestershire and I casually asked "Related to Henry?".
He confirmed that he was a descendant and regrettably I have forgotten exactly what his connection was but we had a nice chat and it was a great pleasure to meet him.
I first saw the film 'Zulu' when I was 12,at grammar school as cadets we used to spend a week on the Brecon Beacons and managed to talk one of our teachers into taking us into Brecon to the SWB museum but as a Stratford-upon-Avon boy it excited me even more when I discovered that 2/24 were R.Warwicks!
'Washing Of The Spears' has been a permanent resident of my bookshelf for decades.
Essential reading for Zulu fans.
This was great, thank you!
This was/is a fantastic tidbit of British Military history!!!
Yes the movie portrayed Hook poorly for added drama, but most know the truth about him.
It's great work you're doing to showcase these and other treasures of history. Well done!
Thank you.
Job well done Henry Hook.
I saw the movie in 1964 when I was 11 yrs old. It was so amazing that I stayed in the cinema and watched it again :)
I can't believe 7 peeps didn't like this video, I thank it's great Thank You for making it.
Great story and I enjoy these young curator experts
I suddenly want to see a historically accurate remake of Zulu that features Henry Hook as he actually was, not the drunken complainer that they originally portrayed him as.
Color Sargent Frank Bourne was nothing like as-portrayed in the movie either. Unlike the magisterial Nigel Green, Bourne who was 24 and 5' 6" was the youngest NCO in the British Army. He was the last surviving defender from Rorke's Drift, dying on VE Day (8 May 1945), at the age of 91. Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Edward Bourne OBE DCM (April 1854 - 8 May 1945)
Commissary Dalton also got thoroughly character-assassinated in the film. He's portrayed as weak-willed and effete, who doesn't do much of anything other than get shot while handing out ammunition, and we're left at the end of the film wondering why the deuce he received the VC. In fact, the real James Dalton was a former senior NCO who'd served numerous campaigns during his years in the ranks before retiring in 1871, and continued to serve as a civilian volunteer. He also stood 6' tall (a near giant for the time) and was powerfully built. As for why he received the VC, it's in part because it was he and not Chard or Bromhead who came up with the plan to defend the mission station. He also fought with great distinction on the firing line, at one point saving the life of a wounded hospital orderly. When he was badly wounded, in true British fashion he calmly handed his rifle to Lieutenant Chard and told him he could make better use of it. After the war, when B Company, 2/24th was marching through Pinetown, they spotted Dalton among the cheering crows. Some of the men broke ranks, grabbed Dalton, and compelled him to march with them, while loudly proclaiming him as "The bravest man we ever knew!"
That's a story in and of itself. Know anyone in Hollywood who could make it a reality?
@@terrorcop101 Funny enough, I might (key word is *might*). I'm actually the author of a series of novels on the Zulu War, which cover the entire conflict, not just Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift. My hope is to eventually get them picked up for a cable / streaming series, preferably by HBO. I don't think they would work as cinema films, due to time constraints, censorship, etc. I actually know the producer of the upcoming Watchmen HBO series, and he's told me he's reading my Zulu War books, so who knows?
Good luck.
This was a beautiful video , thank you.
My dad took me to see Zulu when i was little, and i loved it. For nostalgic reasons, I still do, but I’m disgusted with the way the film makers trashed the reputation of Henry “Harry” Hook. Far from being “a thief, a coward, and an insubordinate barrack-room lawyer”, he was a model soldier, and a teetotaler. Had he really been like the film character, I suspect he wouldn’t have been awarded the VC, but merely been absolved of his crimes and been allowed to go back on duty, as a reward for doing his job. Shame on Stanley Baker and Cy Endfield. Rest easy, Private Hook.
Wonderful video, thank you for sharing.
"Hookee- that's company punishment!" Well, don't forget during the making of the movie's time the anti- hero was played up in most "kitchen sink" dramas, actor James Booth (born David Geeves); (19 December 1927 - 11 August 2005) did a superb job as such, granted it was played with great licence of facts, but his characterization was enthusiastically embraced by moviegoers of the time, so in a way, Hook was indeed viewed as a flawed, but genuine hero.
James Booth came from a family of committed Salvation Army people. He took his name from General Booth
Thank you--one of the few here who seems to use his head.
I watch the movie recently, was hoping the Zulus would finish his character.
Very interesting and well presented.shows the value of a professional record keeping system.!
This video is wonderful, have learnt so much..Thank you for sharing.
The movie "Zulu" is one of my favorites and I bought a DVD to watch occasionally. I am very unhappy to learn that this great man was so abused by the film. I think of him and the others at Rorke's Drift, and it gives me the chills to think of what happened there. It is a scandal that this man was thought to be suitable only for dusting shelves and caring for umbrellas. The film makers should be embarrassed, and should issue an apology. Rorke's Drift is on a par with "The Charge of the Light Brigade" and better, because the "charge" was the result of a poorly written and badly interpreted order. I suspect that if Pvt. Hook was an officer, he would have been treated much better. Cheers to Chelmsford for trying to help him, though.
Aw come on. His character adds to the drama--it's a movie, not a documentary. Don't make it into a case of malice or class warfare. He ends up being redeemed and a hero--so perhaps the moral of the story, although in this case fictitious.
@@locarnese5598 Except that he was a real man who apparently was ill used, both in the movie and later in his life. He has living descendants who understandably felt insulted, as I would be, and as you would be? I stand fully by my earlier comment. If he was merely a "character...to the drama" the film makers should not have used his real name.
@@peterpuleo2904
Same.
Movie or not, when it has such a pretense about being as accurate as possible, then characters named after real ones should have their actions closely resembling that of their models and real-life namesakes.
@@peterpuleo2904I don't know where you're getting the idea that he was "ill used". There's no evidence at all of his being badly treated in the army and back home his connections were able to help him get the job he wanted. You may look down on that job but Hook - a former farm labourer and private soldier - would likely have seen it as a fairly cushy little number: secure, indoors, comfortable and respectable.
From what's being said here, it's the job he really wanted. And presumably a job he would not have been able to get without Chelmsford's testimonial.
@@markchambers3833 I was referring mostly to the way he was presented in the film. Maybe the job he got was preferable for him. I hope so.
Bravo. Thanks for sharing!!! This is very interesting! :)
Excellent presentation.
Nice to see his reputation is now returned to pristine condition.
Lord Chelmsford was indeed his overall commander but he personally had nothing to do with Rorkes Drift. It was a rearguard action after the biggest defeat for the British Army in years.. Chelmsford was responsible. I am talking about Isandlwana. Without going into detail, I can safely say the man was an arrogant fool who totally underestimated his Zulu enemy. It is my opinion he should have faced a courts martial but such was the influence of the upper classes in those days, he was safe.
Adrian. I totally agree with you. He reminds me of another arrogant fool. G.A.Custer,who completely underestimated his enemy. He thought of them as uncivilized savages and thought of himself as invincible,then the opposition showed up and the rest as they say is History.
@Gary Daniel No. My comment was on the conduct of Two Commanding officers who totally underestimated their opponents,albeit in two different campaigns.
@Gary Daniel Gen Crook was in command at the previous battle at the Banks of the upper Rosebud,with a 1000+ troops. He played no part in the battle of the little big horn. His last great action was to accept the surrender of Geronimo. He was Apache by the way.
Ummm... who is this Custer guy ?
@Gary Daniel an "Axiom of the Military Art" is: Initial Reports are Always Three Times Worse than the Actual Situation" In other words, if the Scouts Report an Enemy Regiment, you are likely facing a Battalion...
This was repeatedly the case in the American Civil War. General McClellan repeatedly Overestimated Lee's Army of Northern Virginia; resulting in many lost opportunities, extending the war by Years, costing tens of thousands of lives.
Custer had experienced inaccurate reports, even from skilled scouts in battles during the Civil War, and in the Indian Wars.
The gathering of the Tribes at the Greasy Gras (Little Big Horn) was (perhaps) the Largest Gathering of the Lakota, Hunkpapa, Arapaho, Cheyenne, etc. EVER! Thus the (generally Accurate) Reports from the Scouts Were Implausible...
Custer went to the high ground to confirm the reports, and (along with some officers who were assigned to Benteen's and Reno's "battalions" survived) what Custer and others observed the morning Mists rising off the Big Horn River, and mingling with the camp fires concealed much of the encampment! Custer and others observed some teepees being taken down (probably a small group that was changing their location to another part of the camp), Presumed that a member of a hunting party had reported the presence of the 7th Cavalry Regiment...
Although their orders were to wait until the next day to attack; they Also had Orders to "Fix the Enemy in Place" knowing that the 5th Cavalry Regiment and Crook's Infantry column would "March to the Sound of the Guns"; Not knowing Crook had been defeated at the Battle of the Rosebud a few days earlier!
Custer was not an Idiot, and for many reasons he was Respected by the Lakota! Custer's body was Not defiled, as a measure of respect for him.
Considering Custer an idiot cheapens the Victory of the Lakota and other tribes! They understood Crook & Custer, two of the most successful officers at fighting the various tribes in the US Army. They planned accordingly, assembled an Unprecedented force, and defeated the US Army at the Battles of the Rosebud and the Little Big Horn applying Effective and Unanticipated Tactics to specifically counter the (formerly) successful tactics of Crook & Custer! Rarely has any force so well anticipated an enemy, and successfully Executed their Plan upon a foe!
Despite achieving victories, they were Pyric! Too many of their warriors died. The USA had to vast a population, and too many resources.
very well presented , nothing over the top, I wonder where the full size VC has wondered off to.
There are a number of VC’s in the South Wales Bonders Museum in Brecon
@@davidharris1562 correct i have been to the museum and saw the medals
Hurrah!! Absolutely. Well done "Hookey" as per renowned film.
Wonderful tribute to a courageous soldier who in the movie Zulu is portrayed as a bit of a drunken skiver when in fact the army rightly so him as hero and obviously had engaged with the Zulus,we don't know if the spear was thrown or stabbed but obviously the Zulus were very close to him.
Lovely video,not jingoistic or hostile,just fact based and complementary to a brave and humble man.
So great. Thank you
Wonderful and informative video. Thank you. :)
Fantastic!...it would be great to learn more about John Williams and the rest of the soldiers who were at Rorke's Drift. What a history! I began watching and learning way back when the movie Zulu came out in 64. I went to the Brecon museum a couple of times..it hasn't changed a bit. It certainly is spectacular to learn all this about Henry Hook and family.
ua-cam.com/video/5bVxlSVjjrQ/v-deo.html
He also has other videos which are wonderfull to watch.
I have the greatest respect and admiration for all the men involved in this defensive action. It’s good to know the truth about Henry Hook.
From his photo, he looked a (rightly) proud and upstanding man. Good on him!
Very interesting video and story, thank you.
Greatly informative thank you
The guys a legend. We salute you.
Fascinating story and so good to hear the truth.
Check out the Regimental Barracks Museum in Brecon, Wales, it's an excellent museum with a whole room devoted to the Zulu war and Rorkes Drift, it also contains most of the V.C. medals won at the Battle of Rorkes Drift.
I have visited his grave in Churcham twice.
He was nothing like his movie character.
In fact, his grandaughters walked out of the cinema in disgust, of how their hero grandad was portrayed.
Very interesting ,thank you. Should you ever be in SA you can visit Rorkes Drift and the surrounding battlefields .I can recommend The Day of the Dead Moon for anyone wishing to know more about this time.
I love this channel. .facts at last. I've read the books years ago now the truth is shown
Nice to see the correct information about Henry Hook, far from the malingerer shown in Zulu. Unfortunately it was The Warwickshire Regiment not the Welsh Regiment at the time of Roark's Drift.
The regiment was renamed the South Wales Borderers a year later, as their base was at the time of the conflict in Brecon and recruited substantially from the surrounding area.
@Johannes Liechtenauer A large area near Brecon is still owned by the Ministry of Defence now for training, with mock villages, and SAS hold selection trials there. The area is so much better suited to military training than Warwickshire, and was accessible by train in those days.
I watched Zulu recently. Reading up on the battle afterwards I was surprised Hook got a VC, in fact I was surprised he made it to the end of the movie. I suspected he was very badly misrepresented by the filmmaker.
He was terribly misrepresented. He was an upright, honest man and completely abstained from alcohol. It's a real shame, Zulu's an excellent film but the ahistorical treatment of Hook sours the experience.
@@markchambers3833 History according to Hollywood. It didn't improve the movie any bit portraying Hook as they did. His family must have been disappointed at the misrepresentation
Those words in that latter carry so much irony seeing how he was portrayed in the film. However still one of the best characters in the film.
His full size medals can be viewed at the South Wales borders regiment meusem in Wales.
Hook was in the British Museum militia. He started the shooting competition between the British Museum and the British Museum (Natural History) in Kensington. The cup he donated used to be in a cabinet in the BM staff canteen. I hope it's still there. The British Museum had a 25 yard indoor rifle range in a sub-basement of what was later part of the British Library.
“I need a transcription to read these letters”. What! I can read them perfectly, though I am an archivist and spend the day reading those types of letters.
Great man and backbone of his nation.
Very interesting, makes me wonder if he may be some of my ancestors. My family was from England and came to America somewhere around 1800.
I know his family despised how he was portrayal in the film. but for me it was one of the best portrayal of a soldier ever.
Splendid!
Nice to see something that would never make it on the Guardian or BBC.
www.theguardian.com/global/2009/apr/21/david-smith-rorkes-drift-africa
Made it to both. www.theguardian.com/global/2009/apr/21/david-smith-rorkes-drift-africa
ua-cam.com/video/jHIzA4cqkLY/v-deo.html
Stephen Wood its from 2009 even I was reading the Guardian back then ! Do you honestly think they would print an article like that today?
you read that on the side of a bus?
One day I hope to be lucky enough to be able to visit The British Museum.
Fascinating piece. One correction; Lord Chelmsford was not Hook's Regimental commander. He was overall Commander in Chief of British forces in Zululand .
That's it hooky give it to em we'll make a soldier of you yet son. I loved that part of the film
A lot of people get hung up on Hook's unfair portrayal in "Zulu". However where it matters its an accurate portrayal of his bravery in the battle of the hospital. Its a decent character arc for the guy and at the end of the day the Movie immortalises the battle
Sad he died so young. Would love to have
met the man. A true hero
It's true that Henry Hook was treated badly in the film but I'm sure that after suffering a speare to the head and paying for it later in life, i think we can excuse him the fact that he may have been seeking a quieter life. His heroics at rourks drift gave him a precious 26 more years.
Fantastic 😊
the Victoria Cross is for Courage (not gallantry as mentioned - this was as spoken by the Queen herself... as all soldiers are Gallant)
An audio book worth listening to on this period of history is The Day of the Dead Moon.
My brother who worked for the local council was called to a job at a property overlooking Hadleigh castle,
owned by the salvation army, who own all the land their.(Hadleigh country park)
We as brother's loved the film Zulu, and always were reacting battles, imagine his surprise when he noticed a photo in the room and recognised hook (James Booth) from the film.
He asked him if that was him and in a very nice voice said it was one of he's works, l later Google , he's life and it does mention he died in Hadleigh Essex England
Where l and my family lived a short way away amazing
Congratulations to the British Museum! You are keeping Shakespeare's "prophecy" alive:
"And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be rememberèd-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day."
My goodness, this fellow looks like a young James Burke....with hair 😉
Zulu is a wonderful film, but completely inaccurate. Not only about Hook, but the regiment was a borders regiment. The nationalities in the battle were vast majority English. There were some Welsh and Scots too, but per capita of the regiment, less than you'd normally get in an English regiment. Stanley Baker, who produced the film, was Welsh and inserted the 'welshness' in for his own patriotism and for dramatic license. Not hatimg, Welsh are fine soldiers and a patriotic and decent people, but Rorkes Drift was fought by an English company, and was not in any way Welsh.
I always found it ironic that in the film it's Private William Jones who proclaims, "This is a Welsh Regiment", when in fact the real William Jones was English. I, too, love the Welsh, but as a historian I prefer accuracy. There were actually nearly as many (possibly more) Irish at Rorke's Drift as there were Welsh. The Scottish were the least represented, with only one confirmed Scotsman in B Company. I found that odd, as the 24th Regiment actually had a large number of Scottish officers, to include both majors of their 2nd Battalion.
Forever Changes
The South Wales Borderers was a line infantry regiment of the British Army in existence for 280 years. It first came into existence, as the 24th Regiment of Foot in 1689. Based at Brecon, the regiment recruited from the border counties of Monmouthshire, Herefordshire and Brecknockshire, but was not called the South Wales Borderers until the Childers Reforms of 1881. The regiment served in a great many conflicts, including the American Revolutionary War, various conflicts in India, the Zulu War, Second Boer War, and World War I and World War II. In 1969 the regiment was amalgamated with the Welch Regiment to form the Royal Regiment of Wales.
7:08 - A hundred odd years ago, this is how people who had barely made it through primary school used to write...
I might suggest that you look at the handwriting of the average 12 year old today and then criticise it. Also, unlike Lord Chelmsford's handwriting, it was actually legible. No ballpoint pens, no inkjet printers, just a steel pen dipped into an inkwell. Exactly the way I learned to write in the 1950's.
Allen Jenkins - My comment was not meant as criticism but as praise. I was not referring to calligraphy, but to the high standard of composition that people attained in those days - even those who did not have the benefit of post secondary education. A century ago many people who had made it through only six years of formal education understood the rudiments of syntax and grammar better than most university undergraduates do today. Their written expression was more articulate and grammatically correct compared to the way most students write today, perhaps because they were generally held to much higher scholastic standards. Simply put - in the western world, at least - elementary education was a great deal more rigorous and academically demanding than it tends to be nowadays.
Wow a British Museum curator that actually wears gloves how refreshingly different.