22nd of January 1879 Rorke’s Drift South African John Chard of her majesties 24th regiment foot in command. Word has reached us of the Isandhlwana massacre. 2000 souls lost. Retreat unlikely will make last stand at the mission ….
Chard lay down his pen looked to the west. “Damn, Rain,” Colour Sergeant Bourne stated “That wasn’t thunder, that was 1000 infantry helmets being struck. The Zulu are sending a message. The storm is upon you.” Chard rebuttoned this tunic “I will met that storm with a hail of lead.”
11 members of the 24h were awarded the Victoria Cross for valor.