PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The defence of Rorke's Drift, which followed shortly after the disastrous defeat of the British by the Zulus at Isandlwana in January 1879, will be the topic of the next meeting of Van Plettenberg Historical Society on Friday 9 June at the Plettenberg Bay Country Club.

Historian Andrew Rattray, who riveted his audience at a previous presentation on Isandlwana, will follow up with recollections of the defence of Rorke's Drift, which followed only hours after these traumatic events and saw a record 11 Victoria Crosses being awarded as an inspiration to British troops.

Both the Battle of Isandlwana and the subsequent Defence of Rorke's Drift rocked Victorian society. After the disastrous events at Isandlwana, the small British force at Rorke's Drift put up a desperate fight.

Rattray previously painted a vivid picture of the Battle of Isandlwana, giving credit to the skill and bravery of the Zulu chiefs and their warriors, at the same time highlighting the desperate situation the British soldiers found themselves in so far from home.

The epic Rorke's Drift struggle took place on the other side of the Buffalo River at a small mission station and hospital called Rorke's Drift, where, incredibly, under 200 British and colonial troops defended the station against attacks from between three and four thousand Zulu warriors.

Rattray will describe the makeshift defences made of biscuit boxes and bags of mielie meal, and the desperate hand-to-hand fighting that took place.

Tickets are available via Quicket.

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