Rorkes Drift Collection

ZULU WAR, 1879. The defense of Rorkes Drift, South Africa, by British soldiers during the Zulu War. Line engraving, 1879

Major John Rouse Merriott Chard, VC, 1881. Chard (1847-1897), then a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, commanded the British defenders at Rorkes Drift, South Africa, in January 1879

Plan of the Defence of Rorke's Drift, Anglo-Zulu War
Vintage engraving of Plan of the Defence of Rorke's Drift, was an engagement in the Anglo-Zulu War. The successful British defence of the mission station of Rorke's Drift

ZULU WAR, 1879. The relief of Rorkes Drift, 23 January 1879. Wood engraving, English, 1879

Plan of the Defences at Rorkes Drift, (Jan. 22, 1879), c1880
Plan of the Defences at Rorkes Drift (Jan. 22, 1879), c1880. Episode of the Anglo-Zulu Wars (1879-1896). From British Battles on Land and Sea, Vol. IV, by James Grant

Thus did one hundred men keep three thousand savages at bay (colour litho)
871946 Thus did one hundred men keep three thousand savages at bay (colour litho) by Skelton, Joseph Ratcliffe (fl.1888-1916); Private Collection; (add.info.: illustration from Romance of Empire)

Thus Did A Hundred Men Keep Three Thousand Savages At Bay, c1908, (c1920). Artist: Joseph Ratcliffe Skelton
Thus Did A Hundred Men Keep Three Thousand Savages At Bay, c1908, (c1920). In 1877, Theophilus Shepstone (1817-1893) a British South African statesman was responsible for the annexation of

The Zulu War, the Gallant Defence of Rorkes Drift by Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead and One Hundred
1059015 The Zulu War, the Gallant Defence of Rorkes Drift by Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead and One Hundred and Thirty-Seven Men (engraving) by Nash

There Was A Hand-To-Hand Struggle, 1902. Artist: WR Wollen
There Was A Hand-To-Hand Struggle, 1902. In the aftermath of their victory at the Battle of Isandlwana, the Zulus mounted an attack on the British border post at Rorkes Drift

Graves of the Seventeen Men who fell in the Defence of Rorkes Drift, 22 January 1879 (engraving)
1058851 Graves of the Seventeen Men who fell in the Defence of Rorkes Drift, 22 January 1879 (engraving) by English School

The Morning after the Defence of Rorkes Drift, Zululand, 1879 (engraving)
670901 The Morning after the Defence of Rorkes Drift, Zululand, 1879 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Morning after the Defence of Rorkes Drift)

The Zulu War, Sketches at Rorkes Drift (engraving)
1106598 The Zulu War, Sketches at Rorkes Drift (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Zulu War, Sketches at Rorkes Drift)

Defence of Rorkes Drift, 1879 (gravure)
959897 Defence of Rorkes Drift, 1879 (gravure) by Dupray, Henri-Louis (1841-1909); Private Collection; (add.info.: Defence of Rorkes Drift, Zululand, 1879)

Major Gonville Bromhead, VC (engraving)
1062301 Major Gonville Bromhead, VC (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Major Gonville Bromhead, VC, one of the Heroes of Rorkes Drift)

Victoria Cross: Private A H Hook, at Rorkes Drift, 1879 (colour litho)
6019806 Victoria Cross: Private A H Hook, at Rorkes Drift, 1879 (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Private A H Hook, at Rorkes Drift, 1879)

The defence of Rorkes Drift, illustration from British Battles on Land and Sea
3082845 The defence of Rorkes Drift, illustration from British Battles on Land and Sea, 1915 (litho) by Woodville, Richard Caton II (1856-1927); Private Collection; (add.info)

Zulu War Sketches, "Alls Well!", Sketch in Bromheads Post, New Fort, Rorkes Drift (engraving)
1099981 Zulu War Sketches, " Alls Well!", Sketch in Bromheads Post, New Fort, Rorkes Drift (engraving) by Overend

Sketch of the Positions of the Forces engaged at Isandula, 22 January (engraving)
1106557 Sketch of the Positions of the Forces engaged at Isandula, 22 January (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Disturbances in the Reserve Territory, Zululand, Means of Communication at Rorkes Drift between Natal
1044772 The Disturbances in the Reserve Territory, Zululand, Means of Communication at Rorkes Drift between Natal and Zululand when the Buffalo River is in Flood (engraving) by English School

The Zulu War (engraving)
1058790 The Zulu War (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Zulu War. Illustration for The Graphic)

Gibraltar, presenting the Victoria Cross to Private John Williams for Bravery at the Defence of Rorkes Drift (engraving)
1045349 Gibraltar, presenting the Victoria Cross to Private John Williams for Bravery at the Defence of Rorkes Drift (engraving) by English School

Rorkes Drift before the Attack (engraving)
663969 Rorkes Drift before the Attack (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rorkes Drift before the Attack)

The Return of the Lost Colours (engraving)
1059021 The Return of the Lost Colours (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Return of the Lost Colours)

British Officers engaged in the Zulu and Afghan Wars (engraving)
1058825 British Officers engaged in the Zulu and Afghan Wars (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: British Officers engaged in the Zulu and Afghan Wars)

The Zulu War Defenders of Rorkes Drift (engraving)
1106541 The Zulu War Defenders of Rorkes Drift (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Zulu War Defenders of Rorkes Drift)

Cavalry Brigade returning from the Battle-Field of Insandlwhana with Waggons to the Camp at Rorkes Drift (engraving)
1054071 Cavalry Brigade returning from the Battle-Field of Insandlwhana with Waggons to the Camp at Rorkes Drift (engraving) by English School

The Defence of Rorkes Drift (engraving)
664395 The Defence of Rorkes Drift (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Defence of Rorkes Drift)

Rorkes Drift: The morning after the attack (engraving)
664995 Rorkes Drift: The morning after the attack (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Rorkes Drift: The morning after the attack)

Mr W A Dunne, Commissariat Department (engraving)
1058855 Mr W A Dunne, Commissariat Department (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mr W A Dunne, Commissariat Department)

The Reverend Otto Witt (engraving)
1058788 The Reverend Otto Witt (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Reverend Otto Witt, Swedish Missionary at Rorkes Drift, Witness of the Attack)

The Zulu War (engraving)
1058828 The Zulu War (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Zulu War. Illustration for The Graphic)

Zulu War Sketches (engraving)
1099749 Zulu War Sketches (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Zulu War Sketches)

The Defence of Rorkes Drift, c1880. Episode of the Anglo-Zulu Wars (1879-1896). From British Battles on Land and Sea, Vol. IV, by James Grant

Rorkes Drift before the Attack, 1879, (c1880). Episode of the Anglo-Zulu Wars (1879-1896). From British Battles on Land and Sea, Vol. IV, by James Grant

Lieutenant Bromhead, c1880. (1845-1891), British Army officer. Episode of the Anglo-Zulu Wars (1879-1896). From British Battles on Land and Sea, Vol. IV, by James Grant

Battle of Rorkes Drift, Natal, Zulu War, 1879 (1951). In the aftermath of their victory at the Battle of Isandlwana, the Zulus mounted an attack on the British border post at Rorkes Drift

Colonel Richard Glyns force crossing the Buffalo River Valley, near Rorkes Drift, South Africa, on 9 January 1879
ZULU WAR, 1879. Colonel Richard Glyns force crossing the Buffalo River Valley, near Rorkes Drift, South Africa, on 9 January 1879, during the Zulu War. Contemporary English engraving

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"Rorke's Drift: A Tale of Heroism and Bravery" In 1879, during the Anglo-Zulu War, Rorke's Drift became a symbol of courage and resilience. Major John Rouse Merriott Chard, VC, led the defense of this small British outpost against thousands of Zulu warriors. The plan for the defense was meticulously laid out, as depicted in an engraving from 1881. The bravery displayed by the British soldiers is captured in another engraving from that time, showing them valiantly holding their ground against overwhelming odds. The relief of Rorke's Drift on January 23rd brought hope to those defending it. An English wood engraving from that period portrays the moment when reinforcements arrived to bolster their spirits. A detailed plan of the defenses at Rorke's Drift on January 22nd can be seen in a captivating image from around 1880. This visual representation showcases how strategic positioning played a crucial role in repelling wave after wave of Zulu attacks. Joseph Ratcliffe Skelton immortalized this historic event with his artwork titled "Thus Did A Hundred Men Keep Three Thousand Savages At Bay. " Created around 1908 but popularized later, it captures the intensity and determination exhibited by these brave defenders. Lieutenants Chard and Bromhead were hailed as heroes for leading their men through a fierce hand-to-hand struggle against overwhelming odds. An artist named WR Wollen beautifully portrayed this intense battle scene in his work titled "There Was A Hand-To-Hand Struggle" created in 1902. Sadly, seventeen men lost their lives defending Rorke's Drift. Their graves serve as a solemn reminder of their sacrifice and dedication to duty. An engraving depicting these graves pays tribute to these fallen heroes who bravely fought until their last breath on January 22nd, 1879.