Rorkes Drift hero finally recognized

The movie Zulu gave Michael Caine his first major role. The movie (somewhat inaccurately) told the story of the Battle of Rorkes Drift on January 22, 1879, during the Boer War in South Africa. BritishBattles.com introduces it thus:

Rorke’s Drift: the iconic defence of the mission station by a small force of British and colonial troops; which saw a record award of Victoria Crosses and restored the faith of Victorian Britain in the Army. ... 139 British troops against about 4,500 Zulus

That's all quite true. Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders after the battle, a record for a single action that still stands, IIRC.

Now, reports WalesOnline, "To be recognised at last, the Swiss VC hero of Wales’ most heroic stand: Rorke’s Drift."

Swiss-born Corporal Christian Ferdinand Schiess became the first non-British soldier to get the Victoria Cross after his brave actions during the historic Zulu War encounter.

The 22-year-old rose from his sick bed in the Rorke’s Drift field hospital to repeatedly repel Zulu warriors with his bare hands.

But afterwards he was largely ignored in Switzerland and only became known in Britain when actor Dickie Owen portrayed his heroism in the legendary 1964 movie Zulu starring Stanley Baker and Michael Caine.

In the film, in which Welsh soldiers give a stirring rendition of Men of Harlech to match the Zulu war songs, Schiess, who called himself Friederich, is show throwing away his crutches to bayonet attackers.

Although Schiess was awarded the VC in 1880, he is just now getting public recognition with a commemorative display being dedicated in London.


Another hero of the battle, Private James Marshall, was memorialized last month by a dedication ceremony at his grave in Ruddington.

His grave was dedicated with an engraved headstone and a Zulu dance troupe also performed at the ceremony.

Mr Marshall, who died in 1930, served in the 24th Regiment of Foot, later named the Royal Regiment of Wales.

The story of the battle is an amazing one of nearly superhuman courage - on both sides. And the movie successfully honors the courage of both the British soldiers and the Zulu warriors, who are nowhere made out to be the "bad guys."