SFA062
Thomas Gunn Miniatures
Not yet Released - expected in late January.
Battle of Rorke’s Drift: On January 22–23, 1879, Lieutenant Bromhead and Lieutenant John Chard led a small British force of approximately 150 men in defending a mission station against roughly 4,000 Zulu warriors.
Colonel John Rouse Merriott Chard VC (1847–1897)
Commissioned as a lieutenant in the Royal Engineers in 1868, Chard spent his early career overseeing fortifications in Bermuda and Malta. His experience and expertise were used to great effect when constructing the defences and the final redoubt, to provide shelter for the wounded and also form the last line of defence. Using a mixture of the established drystone walls, turned over wagons, mealie bags and biscuit boxes. For this ingenuity and his bravery in face of the enemy he received a well-deserved Victoria Cross, especially as he was only there ‘to build a bridge’.
Chard remained at Rorke’s Drift for several weeks after the battle and assisted with the construction of a new stone perimeter wall. However, conditions at the camp were poor; Chard became ill with fever and was taken to Ladysmith for treatment. When he recovered he took part in the second invasion of Zulu land and was present in the British square during the decisive victory at the Battle of Ulundi and remained in Africa until the end of the war.
Colonel John Rouse Merriott Chard died of tongue cancer at the age of 49, he was lifelong pipe smoker. He was buried in the churchyard of The Church of St John the Baptist in Hatch Beauchamp, Somerset.
Wagon and additional figures sold separately.