Other Award Winners
Colour Sergeant Bourne DCM,
(2459 B Co. 24th. Regiment)
Born in Balcombe, Sussex in 1854. He enlisted at Reigate on 18 December 1872 aged 18 years 8 months.
Promoted Corporal in 1875, Sergeant in 1878 and Colour Sergeant in April 1878.
He was aged 24 years at the time of Rorke's Drift - certainly a regimental 'high flyer'. He was awarded the Distinguished
Conduct Medal with £10 annuity. After Rorke's Drift, he served in India and Burma. Promoted Quartermaster-Sergeant in
1884. He was offered an immediate commission after Rorke's Drift, but he declined - however was commissioned in
1890 as a Quartermaster. In 1893 he was appointed Adjutant of the School of Musketry at Hythe in Kent.
He retired from the Army in 1907.
During the Great War, he rejoined and became Adjutant of the School of Musketry in Dublin.
At the end of the war, he was given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed OBE. He was a mourner
at many of the funerals of Rorke's Drift defenders. In 1936, he made a radio broadcast about the defence of Rorke's Drift;
sadly no tape survives, although there is a transcript. He was the last defender to die on VE Day 1945 - 8 May - he was aged 91.
(His medal group is in the SWB Museum Collection).
24692 Second-Corporal Francis Attwood DCM
(Army Service Corps)
Francis Attwood was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and immediately promoted to
Sergeant for his actions at Rorke's Drift. He received his DCM from General Hugh Clifford VC at a special parade
at Fort Napier on 16 January 1880. After returning home, Francis Attwood married and continued to serve with
the Army Service Corps at Plymouth.He died suddenly in November 1884 aged 38.
His DCM and campaign medal are in the Royal Logistic Corps Museum, Blackdown, Camberley, Surrey.
1542 Pte. John William Roy DCM
(24th. Regt.)
Thought to have been born in Forfarshire (now Angus) in Scotland. Joined the army 8/8/1870 aged 17.
Attested to the 24th. Regt. 13/8/1870. He had a chequered army career, with bad conduct, drink related injuries,
and eventually virtual incapacity due to syphilis although he did eventually reach the rank of Corporal.
He suffered from malaria and was frequently in hospital. He was one of the patients in the hospital at Rorke's Drift.
Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal for Rorke's Drift. Appointed Corporal in November 1879, he received the DCM
from Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle on 9 December 1879. Discharged due to ill heath in December 1880.
He emigrated to Australia, on board 'Roslin Castle' in 1883 aged 27.. The Sydney Herald of 15/10/1887 reported:
"A grand Military Concert will shortly take place for the benefit of William Roy, late Corporal in HM's 24th Regiment
of Foot, one of the heroes of Rorke's Drift. He is now in very sad circumstances, almost blind, and helpless."
The concert was held 27/10/1887. The Mayor of Sydney attended.
Another Press report stated: "Roy is now an invalided inmate of a New South Wales benevolent institution."
He died 30 May 1890 at Hunter Street, Parramatta of paralysis and natural decay aged 35 years 6 months. Occupation,
baker. He is buried in an unmarked grave on 1st. June 1890 in Mays Hill Cemetery, Parramatta, Sydney, Australia.
An effort is in underway to mark his grave.
Second-Corporal Michael McMahon DCM
(Army Hospital Corps)
Little is known about Michael McMahon.
He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions at Rorke's Drift.
The Commander-in-Chief cancelled this award in January 1880, because of McMahon's absence
without leave and a charge of theft.
2076 Wheeler John Cantwell DCM
(Royal Horse Artillery)
John Cantwell was born in Dublin in 1845.He first enlisted in the 9th (Norfolk) Regiment in November 1868, but
later transferred to the Royal Artillery in 1872. He joined the 5th Brigade in July 1877 and arrived in South Africa in
January 1878. He was promoted to Bombardier Wheeler in July 1878, but was demoted the day before the defence of Rorke's Drift.
For his actions at Rorke's Drift, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was discharged at
Woolwich in July 1889 and went to live in Natal. In 1935, his widow presented two copies of the Chard Roll to the SWB Museum.
The whereabouts of his DCM and campaign medal are unknown.
Walter Alphonsus Dunne
(Assistant Commissary)
Born 10th. February 1853 in Cork, Ireland.
For his action at Rorke's Drift he was mentioned in despatches. He was in further action in the Transvaal war
of 1880-1881 and at Tel-el-Kabir in 1882. After 35 years of service, he retired in Gibraltar in February 1908.
He died at The English Nursing home in Rome on 2nd. July 1908.
Louis Alexander Byrne
(Acting Storekeeper)
Born in Ireland in 1857.
For his action at Rorke's Drift he was mentioned in despatches. He was killed during the action, aged 22, while giving
water to wounded Cpl. Scammell. Interestingly, this action caught the attention of Schiess, who upon seeing Byrne get shot
by the sniper, raced out over the barracades and killed the sniper, whilst also fighting off a number of other Zulu assailants.
He is buried at Rorke's Drift, his name is on the memorial there.
"The Fighting Clerk"
George William Mabin - Colour Sergeant,
General Staff
George William Mabin was born in the parish of St. Augustine's, Bristol in October 1848.He enlisted in Bristol with the
2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade on the 1st June 1868, and was given the Regimental number 1566. Promoted to the
rank of Corporal in July 1870, Mabin transferred to the Staff of the Army some two years later whilst stationed in Dover.
A further promotion followed on the 20th May 1872 when he became a Military Staff Clerk, and three years later
Colour Sergeant, c.20th May 1875.
On the 20th June 1878, Colour Sergeant Mabin transferred to the District Office, Cape of Good Hope.
His presence at Rorke's Drift is confirmed by the 'Chard' Roll and also by Mabin's own account of the battle,
given in 1914, in which he also stated that he received a slight wound to his shin from a spent bullet.
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He served throughout the Anglo-Boer War of 1880-1881, and was present at the actions at Ingogo, Laing's Nek
and Majuba, where it is reported that he was within a few feet of General Colley when the General fell dead. Mabin
was promoted Superintending Clerk, in February 1880, followed by the elevation to the rank of Warrant Officer,
Superintending Clerk on the 1st July 1881
On the 25th June 1897, Mabin was awarded the "Cape of Good Hope Gold Medal for Distinguished Conduct", one of
only two awarded as part of celebrations to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee. Mabin having completed 29 years,
22 days service without once appearing in the Regimental Defaulters Book. (By co-incidence another Zulu veteran,
Gunner William Hollis, Royal Artillery, received the second Gold Medal)
He travelled back to Aldershot in early June 1898, where he was discharged after nearly 30 years service with the army,
receiving, "Annuity of £10.00 with silver medal for long and highly meritorious service, [Meritorious Service Medal],
including Zulu & Boer Campaigns 1879-1881."
He married twice, Mary Elizabeth Ranger in 1872, and then some years after her death in 1906, he remarried a
Mary Stroud. He fathered eleven children from his first marriage.
George William Mabin died, aged 90, at the Groote Schuur Hospital, Rondesbosch, Cape Town on the 23rd October 1938.
He is buried in a large family plot in Maitland Cemetery, Cape Town.
His medals are currently on display at the South African National Museum of Military History.
12046 Driver Charles John Robson
(5th Field Company, Royal Engineers)
Charles John Robson was born on 7th January 1855 at 7 Ebury Mews, near Victoria Station, London.
His parents were, Ann, a domestic servant, and George Robson, a coachman. Charles enlisted as a Driver in the
Royal Engineers, on the 30th April 1873, having previously worked with his father as a groom. He was not a tall lad standing
just 5' 5". He was soon posted to Aldershot where he joined "B" (Equipment) Troop RE Train, his home for the next four years.
(It was during this period that the first confusion began as to his first name, and entries in the RE pay and muster rolls
list him as James Robson and Edward Robson).
"B" Troop spent 11 months at Brompton Barracks, Chatham in 1875 before returning to Aldershot. In December
1877, the majority of the troop's Drivers transferred to 5th Field Company which was then forming a mounted detachment.
With such a large influx of men came to need for new officers and on the 18th April 1878, one Lt. JRM Chard joined the
Company, Driver Robson being appointed as his batman soon afterwards.
5th, (Field) Company Royal Engineers arrived in Capetown, South Africa on the 2nd January 1879. Upon arrival in Durban,
Lt. Chard, Driver Robson and four men of the 5th Company were ordered to proceed in advance of the remainder
of the Company, to join No. 3 Column at then moving down from Helpmakaar to Rorke's Drift. The "Flying Sap" as Chard's
little group was called arrived at Rorke's Drift on the 19th January, Robson riding his master's spare horse.
It is believed that Robson took up a position along the front wall during the battle, from where he could see the RE
wagon/mule cart that had been abandoned near the rough cattle kraal. Chard later stated that Robson paid particular attention
to the Zulus who were wrecking the wagon as it contained what Robson described as "our things".
Robson continued in his capacity as batman to John Chard for the remainder of the Anglo-Zulu campaign, including the
final battle at Ulundi on the 4th July. He arrived home with Chard aboard the SS Egypt on the 2nd October 1879.
Once home Chard commenced an unofficial tour, including a visit to Somerset, where he was greeted by a crowd of
some 4,000. The appearance of Driver Robson, accompanying Chard on the visit, was also reported on,
"Major Chard was accompanied by his military servant in full regimentals and the appearance of this soldierly young
fellow bearing an armful of Zulu assegais and other trophies of the campaign excited much interest"
(source RE Journal 1/11/1879 page 205-206)
Charles Robson's service with JRM Chard ended at the end of November 1879, when he returned to the RE Field Park
and Depot in Aldershot. He served briefly with the 7th and 11th Field Companies before taking his discharge to the
Army Reserve on the 20th June 1881. He received glowing testimonials from not only JRM Chard, but also
Col. AG Durnford, RE, the commanding officer at Chatham, and brother of Anthony William Durnford killed at Isandlwana.
It would appear that Robson remained as a servant to another RE officer and completed his reserve service in Ireland
and Chatham. He rejoined the Colours on the 22nd August 1882, becoming batman to yet another RE officer,
Lt. FN Maude. Charles Robson completed 21 years service with the army on the 30th April 1894,
having spent just 305 days on active campaign.
He had married Jane Elizabeth Farrand in 1883 and the union produced one child, a daughter, Annie Lilian.the
Robson's settled in Dorking, for a number of years before moving to Swingate Lane, Plumstead. During WW1 both
Robson and his wife worked in the Woolwich Arsenal, Jane in one of the 'danger rooms' packing cordite.
Charles Robson retired in 1919, to the comfort of his garden, where he kept chickens. The family also had a dog called
Gyp and an enormous cat called "Buller", after Sir Redvers Buller VC.
Charles John Robson died at St. Nicholas' Hospital, Plumstead on the 19th July 1933, aged 78 years.
He was buried six days later in an unmarked grave in Woolwich Old Cemetery. In 22nd January 1993, the grave was marked
with a small wooden plaque, and some years later the local RE Association paid for a permanent headstone over the grave.
George Smith
(Padre at Rorke's Drift)
He was born at Dorking in Norfolk on 8th. January 1845. He served as a missionary in South Africa from 1870.
He earned a reputation as being a hard working man. His part in the defence of Rorke's Drift won him the praise
of several in their reports. He played a supportive role in the defence, but is not generally recognised as one of the main
characters who took part in the defence. After the battle, he was regularly referred to as "Ammunition Smith".
After South Africa he spent time as Chaplain in many theatres of war including Tel-el-Kabir in Egypt, the battle against
the Dervishes in the Sudan and during the Nile expedition in Egypt.
He later served in many posts in England, finally retiring and staying in the Sumner's Hotel in Preston, where he died
on 26/27th. November 1918 from bronchial trouble which had afflicted him for six months. After a small military ceremony,
he was buried in the Church of England plot in New Hall Lane cemetery in Preston, Lancashire.
