Lt John Chard's Official Report Of The Battle of Rorke's Drift

Colonel John Rouse Merriott Chard VC (21 December 1847 – 1 November 1897) was a British Army officer who received the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration for valour "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British armed forces. He earned the decoration for his role in the defence of Rorke's Drift in January 1879 where he assumed command of the outpost and a small garrison of 139 soldiers and successfully repulsed an assault by some 3,000 to 4,000 Zulu warriors.

#History #Zulu #Africa #britishhistory #britishempire

[tscully]

In all the years I have studied that battle I do not remember reading this before. How I missed it I do not know. But it is truly remarkable in it's accuracy. Being read out loud was especially moving. Thanks.

[philipwagner]

I've never come across this report before. Many thanks!

[doodlegassum]

Gripping rendition.
Well balanced backing music and images.
Well done Sir.

[ieu]

This is brilliant to hear! John Chard is a distant relative of mine, the rest of my family is going to be chuffed when they see this!

[jimroberts]

For all it's faults Zulu is still one of the best british films ever made.

[solentbum]

An Official Report such as this is so much better than the lurid semi fiction of Red Top newspapers, so well written and not boastful just factual.

[davidsewellclarke]

I'm proud to say that I'm a Grandson and son of a Royal Engineer, the oldest army to serve a King or Queen of 1066 when William the Conquer invaded England . Also the only Corps which has nine flashes on the grenade which is worn on their lapels, also only Corps to have the order of the Garter of knights on their cap badges. HONI SOIT QUI MALI Y PENSE.

[nigelsmith]

In his official report, Chard failed to mention the part where Bromhead said to a zulu, ' Don't point that bloody spear at me. ' Not a lot of people know that.

[Matt-ujjm]

Brave men but there was a criticism of the amount of medals awarded by military historians. It was said this was to placate the horrendous defeat the previous day. As the time the reports got back to the UK and then into the press Chards report would greatly soften public perception of the greatest defeat suffered by the British Army. Also lord Chelmsford part where he split his forces queen Victoria protected him from the then PM who wanted him crucified as she was a personal friend. Scottish Veteran 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[HermannCortez]

My goodness what a magnificent moustache. The Zulus didn't stand a chance against barbering like that

[JoeyArmstrong]

What's never discussed is the fact that Major Spalding saw the smoke from the burning hospital and figured they were done for and turned back to Helpmekaar.

[stevehuggett]

That CAN'T be Lt. John Chard....he doesn't look anything like Stanley Baker !

[PaulinAsia]

It was the regular soldiers at the barricades who were the heroes.

[RobertTaylor-swwj]

So strange that the Zulu's never all attacked at once, it would have been over in five minutes! Personally, I believe that the Zulu force was max 1000 strong, hence only 350 killed!

[brendasg]

His official report was, 'loads of Africans with spears ran towards us so we shot em'

[christopher-kenj]

John Meriot Rouse Chard VC the commander of one hell of a scrap. The survivors of Dutnfords Men did their bit they're short of ammunition they've no alternative Rev Witt wants to hang fast but he leaves to mind his BABY daughter Mother I hate Cy Endfield with a passion

[Absaalookemensch]

Had the Zulus attacked on all sides on the run, especially at night, they would have easily overrun the British defenders.