Did racism stop Job Maseko MM from winning the Victoria Cross? That was the claim made in a recent, highly publicised, campaign. But could that be true and what is the full story of this South African hero? I set out to find out. . .
ANZAC Day 2021 – a service on the Battlefield of Diamond Hill
This morning (April 25th, 2021) I was lucky enough to attend an intimate Anzac Day gathering. It was cold and dark as we gathered on the battlefield of Diamond Hill - fought on the 11th and 12th of June 1900.
Fort Pine – A hidden gem of the Anglo-Zulu War
Deep in the rural areas of KwaZulu-natal, about 20km from Dundee is the impressive, but almost unknown Anglo-Zulu War fortification known as Fort Pine. Its dry-stone walls are still impressive, at least 14 feet high they tower over the gentle farmland of the Biggarsberg ridge. https://youtu.be/0FpLS6CYmag Work began on the fort by the Royal Engineers … Continue reading Fort Pine – A hidden gem of the Anglo-Zulu War
The Heroes of Rorke’s Drift: Frank Bourne OBE, DCM
Transcript of the video that is embedded below: Today I’m talking about Frank Edward Bourne OBE DCM - or Colour Sergeant Bourne as he was during the battle of Rorke’s Drift. He was the senior British NCO present at the battle, but unlike many of his colleagues he was never awarded the Victoria Cross. You probably remember him from … Continue reading The Heroes of Rorke’s Drift: Frank Bourne OBE, DCM
The Heroes of Rorke’s Drift: James Langley Dalton VC
This is the third part of my “Heroes of Rorke’s Drift” series…and today we are learning all about the man who many consider to have been the unsung hero and the brains behind the successful British defence of Rorke’s Drift.
The heroes of Rorke’s Drift: Gonville Bromhead VC
Rorke’s Drift – one of the most famous battles ever fought by the British army. Today we meet Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead (pronounced Brumhead) – The man played by Michael Cain in the film Zulu. But who was Bromhead? What had he done in his career before the battle and what happened to him afterwards?
The VC Heroes of Rorke’s Drift, Part 1: John Chard
Who were the 11 men who won the Victoria Cross during the epic battle for Rorke's Drift? What was their background and what happened to them after the battle? This is the first in a series of films where I will be answering those questions. Today we talk about the man who commanded the defence … Continue reading The VC Heroes of Rorke’s Drift, Part 1: John Chard
The Basotho Gun War – video
In the latest Five-minute Friday video (OK OK I know it's not five minutes!) I examine the Basotho Gun War of 1880-1881. It is a conflict almost forgotten by history but it is an incredibly important war as it is the reason that the small Kingdom of Lesotho is not part of South Africa. Watch … Continue reading The Basotho Gun War – video
In the footsteps of the Jameson Raid of 1895/96
In the latest Redcoat History Battlefield tour video, we walk in the footsteps of Leander Starr Jameson and his troops as they try and enter Johannesburg and overthrow the Afrikaner government. It's a fascinating tale - with a number of interesting and hard to find sites that are well worth a visit.
Visiting Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana: New battlefield videos
If you are truly a military history geek like myself then you can never watch too many films about the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. I was lucky enough to revisit the area around Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift at the end of 2019 and make three more videos that I think you will find interesting. In … Continue reading Visiting Rorke’s Drift and Isandlwana: New battlefield videos
