FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY

HEROES OF NOTE

Treat yourself to a wonderful, fascinating time by touring the battlefields in northern Kwa Zulu Natal. Hundreds of Welsh people visit these battlefields every year!

FUGITIVE's DRIFT LODGE is the place to go to but if you can't get in there, many other outstanding lodges are available. You will be able to have a guide who will be a raconteur of note and extremely knowledgeable. Hire a car and spend about 5 days exploring the area.

Of primary interest would be the Battle of Isandlawana which took place on  22nd January 1879. Here the Zulus bloodied the nose of the powerful British army, giving them the biggest hiding ever inflicted in the colonies. This battle was over in hours and what was exceptional was the fact that there was an eclipse of the sun at the height of the battle. Eerily the sun went as dark as night. Here is a picture of the Last Stand made by the 2nd/24th Welsh Regiment. This picture hangs in the museum at Fugitives Drift Lodge. In the background is the Isandlwana mountain, looming over the battle. The soldiers are fighting for their very lives as well as protecting the Queen's Colour, fluttering in the background. This colour was saved by Lieughtenants Melville and Coghill who escaped with it on horseback to Fugitives Drift. Colonel Durnford made his famous last stand but all was in vain. 1774 officers and men were almost completely wiped out by an army of 25000 Zulus.

Today the battle site is scattered with hundreds of white cairns, beneath which lie the bodies of 35 soldiers.

Later that day, a party of some 4000 Zulus disobeyed their King and marched off to Rourke's Drift where they attacked the British Post there. Rourke's Drift is a fascinating place, where some 139 officers and  men fought desperately for 12 hours through the night from behind maize bags to keep the Zulus at bay. 17 men were killed and 9 wounded. Altogether 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded for bravery after the battle. There is a fascinating museum at Rourke's Drift.

Those who were lucky enough to escape the massacre of  Isandlawana escaped to safety by crossing the Buffalo River at Fugitives Drift. Not so Melville and Coghill who lost the Queen's Colour in the flooded river. They were both killed whist climbing to safety on the Natal side of the river. In a remarkable story the Queen's Colour was found and retrieved, thereby restoring the Regiment's honour. This is a memorial to the two valiant officers at the place where they fell.

These battles were not the only one's in the region, as there were also battles at Ntombe River, Hlobane, Khambula, Eshowe and Gingingdlovu which the soldiers named Gin Gin I Love you!

The piece de resistance to the entire episode was the death of Louis Napoleon, the Prince Imperial of France. Thus ended the Napoleonic Dynasty in a dusty Zululand donga.

Sunset at Fugitive's Drift with the mountain of Isandlwana looming in the background.