In 1879 the British invaded Zululand. The central of the three major invading columns forded the Buffalo River at Rorke's Drift. Within days Lord Chelmsford's invasion was in jeopardy. Part of his central column had been almost annihilated at Isandlwana in a battle rated as one of the greatest military disasters in British colonial history. A few survivors struggled back into Natal across the mighty Buffalo River. Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill died in a gallant attempt to save the Queen's colours, earning the first posthumous Victoria Crosses in history. A great wing of the Zulu army went on to attack the British garrison at Rorke's Drift, and these warriors were beaten off in a battle that lasted all night. More VC.'s were awarded for valour in this battle than in any other battle in history. There never was another day like this one…….
David Rattray devoted much of his life to the exploration of these troubled times by studying books and documents relating to this period and collecting stories handed down through the oral tradition of the Zulu people.
He spent a great deal of time guiding people through the battlefields and entertaining them at the Lodge.
David’s moving stories of the Zulu War are available as a boxed set of five audio CDs and can be purchased direct on the Internet. The CD set is £55 GB Pounds and this includes postage if you are in the UK or in South Africa, but please note that an additional £5 will be added to your order for postage outside these countries.
