The History Chap
Published 20 Jul 2022Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne was the senior NCO at the Battle of Rorke’s Drift during the Zulu War of 1879. Superbly played by actor Nigel Green in the 1964 film Zulu, many have wondered why he was never awarded a Victoria Cross when 11 others were. This is the story of what happened to Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne after Rorke’s Drift.
He was actually awarded Britain’s second highest military medal (at the time), the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and ultimately rose from the ranks to become an officer. His military career continued all the way to the First World War, where he was promoted to the rank of Lt. Colonel. Frank Bourne, the last surviving defender of Rorke’s Drift, died in 1945, one day after the Germans surrendered.
Watch my video about the Battle of Rorke’s Drift:
https://youtu.be/YK4_rizmT-YWhat happened to the men who did win Victoria Crosses at Rorke’s Drift?
https://youtu.be/5bVxlSVjjrQBecome a Patron:
https://www.thehistorychap.com/THC-Su…Follow me at:
www.thehistorychap.com
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3iySrAjMy name is Chris Green (“The History Chap”) and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here. History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens. So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.
My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: “Chris is the history teacher I wish I had at school!” Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied.
Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the ‘Comments’ section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the ‘Comments’ section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
