British Zulu War 2nd Warwickshire 24th Regiment of Foot Display Board New Made Items

New Made Item: Copied directly from an original in the IMA collection, this is a hand painted display commemorating the 24th (The 2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot who fought off over 3,000 Zulus at the battle of Rorke’s Drift. The stand at Rorke’s Drift was immortalized in the 1964 movie Zulu. This display makes a wonderful addition to any Zulu war collection.

The nicely framed wood board measures 17” w x 20.5” H, is hand painted and has a brown paper backing with horizontal hang line. Included are the following brass reproduction pieces:

• Brass 24th of foot helmet plate
• Brass 24th of foot hat badge
• Brass 24th of foot pair of collar dogs
• Brass 24th of foot belt buckle

The Battle of Rorke’s Drift, also known as the Defence of Rorke’s Drift, was a battle in the Anglo-Zulu War. The defence of the mission station of Rorke’s Drift, under the command of Lieutenant John Chard of the Royal Engineers, and Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead immediately followed the British Army’s defeat at the Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879, and continued into the following day, 23 January.

Just over 150 British and colonial troops successfully defended the garrison against an intense assault by 3,000 to 4,000 Zulu warriors. The massive, but piecemeal, Zulu attacks on Rorke’s Drift came very close to defeating the tiny garrison but were ultimately repelled. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders, along with a number of other decorations and honours.

Rorke’s Drift was a small missionary post garrisoned by a company of the 2/24th Foot, native levies and others under the command of Lieutenant Chard, Royal Engineers, the most senior officer of the 24th present being Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead. Two Boer cavalry officers, Lieutenants Adendorff and Vane, arrived to inform the garrison of the defeat at Isandhlwana. The Acting Assistant Commissary James Langley Dalton persuaded Bromhead and Chard to stay and the small garrison frantically prepared rudimentary fortifications.

The Zulus first attacked at 4:30 pm. Throughout the day the garrison was attacked from all sides, including rifle fire from the heights above the garrison, and bitter hand-to-hand fighting often ensued. At one point the Zulus entered the hospital, which was stoutly defended by the wounded inside until it was set alight and eventually burnt down. The battle raged on into the early hours of 23 January but by dawn the Zulu Army had withdrawn. Lord Chelmsford and a column of British troops arrived soon afterwards. The garrison had suffered 15 killed during the battle (two died later) and 11 defenders were awarded the Victoria Cross for their distinguished defense of the post, 7 going to soldiers of the 24th Foot.

Learn more here- https://en.wikipedia/wiki/Battle_of_Rorke’s_Drift