In 1879, during the Zulu wars, man-of-the-people Lt. John Chard and snobbish Lt. Gonville Bromhead were in charge of defending the isolated Natal outpost of Rorke's Drift from tribal hordes. They held out during an Alamo-like siege until they were overwhelmed, losing the battle, but being remembered as heroes. 150 troops defended a supply point against 4,000 Zulus, aided by the Martini-Henry rifle "with some guts behind it." In the century since the Victoria Cross was established for valor and great bravery above and beyond what is ordinarily expected of British soldiers in the face of the enemy, only 1344 have been awarded. Eleven of these were captured by the defenders of the mission station at Rorke's Drift, Natal, from 22 to 24 January 1879.
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In 1879, during the Zulu wars, man-of-the-people Lt. John Chard and snobbish Lt. Gonville Bromhead were in charge of defending the isolated Natal outpost of Rorke's Drift from tribal hordes. They held out during an Alamo-like siege until they were overwhelmed, losing the battle, but being remembered as heroes. 150 troops defended a supply point against 4,000 Zulus, aided by the Martini-Henry rifle "with some guts behind it." In the century since the Victoria Cross was established for valor and great bravery above and beyond what is ordinarily expected of British soldiers in the face of the enemy, only 1344 have been awarded. Eleven of these were captured by the defenders of the mission station at Rorke's Drift, Natal, from 22 to 24 January 1879.
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