 Listen to memories of a Zulu War VC
Listen to Excerpts from Henry Hook: The Hero of Rorke's Drift  Picture gallery
Zulu: The True Story 1879 Group Henry Hook VC The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. Features Index 2005 Features Archive | | | Recommended Reading | "The Life of Henry Hook VC" by Barry C.Johnson. To mark the 125th anniversary of the Zulu War, the new expanded biography of one of the Rorke's Drift heroes. 331 pages, 24 illustrations, in both casebound and paperbound. Available from Bartletts Press, 37, Larchmere Drive, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 8JB.ISBN 0-9517115-6-3 "Rorke's Drift - By Those Who Were There" by Alan Baynham Jones & Lee Stevenson. A true version of the battle as told by those who were actually there. Combining many known accounts along with previously unpublished material. Foreword by Ian Knight. 312 pages and 25 illustrations. Published by Stevenson Publishing, 80 Hollingbury Park Ave, Brighton BN1 7JF. ISBN no. 0-9541963-1-7 "The Register of the Victoria Cross". All 1,348 VCs are listed alphabetically together with details of birth, place of deed, town or county connections, place and date of death and memorials. ISBN 0 906324 03 3. A similar book is produced about the GEORGE CROSS. ISBN 0 906324 06 8. Available from This England, PO Box 52, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 1YQ |  |
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| | Have you seen the Michael Caine film "Zulu"? The 1964 movie depicted the famous defence of Rorke's Drift when about 100 British soldiers fought off an attack by 4,000 Zulu warriors. The film was only partly accurate but a Gloucestershire man is determined to tell the real story of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. Enthusiasts  | | "Don't throw those bladdy spears at me" |
Alan Gibbs from Warden Hill, Cheltenham is a member of the 1879 Group - a dedicated band of enthusiasts, historians and military experts. Their aim is to spread knowledge and interest in the Zulu War as well as preserving the memory of the men who fought at Rorke's Drift, Isandhlwana and the other battles in South Africa. On a visit to BBC Radio Gloucestershire, Alan was interviewed by John Hellings and showed off his British army tunic and white helmet, as worn by the soldiers of Queen Victoria. Living History At Living History events, re-enactments and official occasions, Alan portrays Lt. John Chard of the Royal Engineers. Chard was one of the 11 men who received the Victoria Cross for their heroism at Rorke's Drift. Chard was educated at Cheltenham College and was played by Stanley Baker in the film "Zulu". Alan Gibbs owns an original engineer's sword and authentic tunic buttons along with a heliograph of the period. The heliograph was the internet of its day, using the sun and mirrors to send messages over long distances. Alan bought the device at a living history event in Kent. Rorke's Drift  | | Suits you Sir! Alan proudly shows off his uniform |
The most famous Private soldier in military history was a Gloucestershire man and one of the defenders of Rorke's Drift. Henry Hook was awarded his VC for saving sick and wounded patients from the burning hospital at the mission station in Natal. After the Zulu War, Hook had a long career at the British Museum in London and returned to his native Gloucester shortly before his death in 1905. His grave and memorial cross are at Churcham, a few miles west of the city. Documentary In 1996, his story was told in detail when he was the subject of an hour-long documentary on BBC Radio Gloucestershire; 'Henry Hook - The Hero of Rorke's Drift' (see audio links below). 
(Alan Gibbs interviewed by BBC Radio
Gloucestershire's John Hellings - 6 pics)
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What do you know about the Zulu War? Maybe you've seen the classic film "Zulu" starring Michael Caine? Meet the Gloucestershire man who's doing his bit to tell the truth...
