A white fox terrier by the name of "Dick" was owned by Surgeon John Reynolds of the Army Medical Department and both dog and doctor were part of the carnage that occurred on January 22, 1879 when 5,000 Zulu warriors surprised
While Reynolds fearlessly attended to the wounded and dying, his dog stayed at his side unmoved by the hail of shots and spears falling about him.
When the Zulus finally retreated, Reynolds was among the living and he was awarded the Victoria Cross and his dog, Dick, was specially mentioned in the dispatch for "his constant attention to the wounded under fire where they fell."
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4 comments:
Patrick, the Battle of Rorkes Drift is famous because the Britsh won against overwhelming odds they were not wiped out. The day before the main British army in the field was wiped out to the last man by Zulu Impi's but the small supply depot held out and drove the zulu's off.
Yes, you have it right, and I have it wrong. Will correct original post. THANKS!
The British did not "win" at Rorke's Drift- they barely survived. They hideously lost the Battle of Isandlwana the day before- like other British victories (Dunkirk comes to mind) this was but a hollow propaganda victory.
The Battle of Isandlwana was not actually the day before, but earlier the same day, Jan 22, 1879. The defense of Rorke's Drift technically continued past midnight into the next day, but virtually all the fighting was done on the 22nd.
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