Frank Edward Bourne

Bourne was born in 1854 in Balcombe, Sussex, England. He enlisted in the British Army at Reigate, England, on December 18, 1872, at the age of 18. He was promoted to Corporal in 1875, Sergeant in 1878, and Colour Sergeant in April 1878. He fought in the The Defence of Rorke's Drift on January 22nd and 23rd of 1879, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. After the Battle of Rorke's Drift he served in India and Burma, he was promoted to Quartermaster-Sergeant in 1884. He was offered an immediate commission but refused, but was commissioned in 1890 as a Quartermaster. In 1893 he was appointed Adjutant of the School of Musketry in Hythe, Kent, Egland, retiring in 1907. After his retirement he rejoined the British Army and became Adjutant of the School of Musketry in Dublin, Ireland, during World War I (1914-1918). At the end of the war, he was given the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed OBE DCM. In 1936 he made a tape recording of the Defence of Rorkes Drift but the tapes have not survived. He spent his last years attending the funerals of former veterans until he died on May 8, 1945, at the age of 91. He was the last surviving veteran of those who had served in the Defence of Rorke's Drift. (bio by: Kris)]

See Pictorial catalogue of AZW graves

Burial:: Beckenham Cemetery
Kent, England

From Findagrave

Old Historian,

according to my copy of the book, the Colour Sergeants name was Frank Bourn, the 'e' was added to the surname only when he enlisted, and the Edward was adopted when he was commisioned. After his death his daughter had the death certificate altered to read Frank Bourn / Bourne.

cheers,
Bookworm

Hi Bookworm
What is the name of the book you mention.

I came across thsi a while ago. And there is no mention of any Change to his name.

Frank Bourne was born in Balcombe Sussex on 27th April 1854

He joined the 24th when he was 18 in 1872.

Made Corporal in 1875

and Sergeant in 1878

Not long after the Regiment had been sent out to the Cape of Good Hope he was promoted to Colour

Sergeant

After the Kaffir war of 1878 the Regiment went to Natal for the Zulu War.

With 4,500 men under his command Lord Chelmsford crossed the Buffalo river at Rorkes Drift.
C/Sgt Bourne and the men of B Company were left behind at Rorkes Drift.
Watching Chelmsford begin the advance of the main column to start the war with the Zulus left C/Sgt

Bourne was very disappointed as he had to guard Hospital stores and wanted to be amongst the action.

At this time little did he know!

The battle at Rorke's Drift, during the afternoon of 22nd January 1879, is among the most famous in

the history of the British Army.The battle began at 4:30 PM and continued for twelve hours.

Around 4,000 Zulus against 139 men of ours and that included medical staff and hospital patients.

Colour Sergeant Bourne's 'behaviour during the battle was one of, the greatest coolness and

gallantry, which earned him the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

The Defenders of Rorkes Drift were awarded 11 Victoria Crosses plus many other awards. The most

surprising part was that Colour Sgt Bourne only received a Distinguished Conduct Medal.

There are a few stories kicking about as to why he never received the Victoria Cross. None of them

make sense. He was a driving force behind the defence.

Following the Zulu Wars C/Sgt F Bourne was offered a commision but didn't accept it due to lack of
funds. Or so the story goes.

Then later he was of to Burma and promoted QM Sergeant in 1884

Finally accepting a commission in 1890.

Adjutant at the School of Musketry in 1893.

Retiring from the army in 1907 only to join up again at the outbreak of World War 1 and served in
Dublin.

Once the war was over he was given the Honoury rank of Lt/Col and also was awarded the OBE

Living to the ripe old age of 91 and being the last survivor of Rorkes Drift he passed away on the

8th May 1945 which was VE day.

Cheers Old Historian2


From:ezinearticle

Hi Old Historian,

I simply assumed that as you stated at the end of your posting "bio by Kris", you were taking the details from her book, 'Legacy, heroes of Rorke's Drift' all the points you covered are in there...and then some.

Cheers
Bookworm

Old Historian if you look in the Genealogy section you will see that Kris Wheatley has covered Frank Bourne. I can see you found your information from the find a grave website.They must have obtained their information from Kris Wheatley's LEGACY Volume 5

I have all six books and they really are worth adding to your collection. Kris covers Frank Bourne in a lot more detail.


LEGACY Volume 5 includes Kris’s research on Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne, Sergeant George Smith, Privates Henry Lines, William Martin and Samuel Pitt, and Private William Cooper.

However this does prove a point with reference to the not so well known defenders of Rorkes Drift.

But remember feel free to add any information you find on theses chaps.

I take it from bookworms reply he / she must have some if not all of Kris Wheatleys Books.

Regards

Pete

Your quite right, however i did name the source. But i can see your point.

Cheers
Old Historian2

See Pictorial catalogue of AZW graves

Frank Bourne was born in Balcombe Sussex on 27th April 1854

He joined the 24th when he was 18 in 1872.

Made Corporal in 1875

and Sergeant in 1878

Not long after the Regiment had been sent out to the Cape of Good Hope he was promoted to Colour Sergeant

After the Kaffir war of 1878 the Regiment went to Natal for the Zulu War.

With 4,500 men under his command Lord Chelmsford crossed the Buffalo river at Rorkes Drift.
C/Sgt Bourne and the men of B Company were left behind at Rorkes Drift. Watching Chelmsford begin the advance of the main column to start the war with the Zulus left C/Sgt

Bourne was very disappointed as he had to guard Hospital stores and wanted to be amongst the action.
At this time little did he know! The battle at Rorke's Drift, during the afternoon of 22nd January 1879, is among the most famous in the history of the British Army.The battle began at 4:30 PM and continued for twelve hours. Around 4,000 Zulus against 139 men of ours and that included medical staff and hospital patients. Colour Sergeant Bourne's 'behaviour during the battle was one of, the greatest coolness and

gallantry, which earned him the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

The Defenders of Rorkes Drift were awarded 11 Victoria Crosses plus many other awards. The most surprising part was that Colour Sgt Bourne only received a Distinguished Conduct Medal.

There are a few stories kicking about as to why he never received the Victoria Cross. None of them make sense. He was a driving force behind the defence.

Following the Zulu Wars C/Sgt F Bourne was offered a commision but didn't accept it due to lack of funds. Or so the story goes.
Then later he was of to Burma and promoted QM Sergeant in 1884 Finally accepting a commission in 1890.

Adjutant at the School of Musketry in 1893.

Retiring from the army in 1907 only to join up again at the outbreak of World War 1 and served in Dublin.Once the war was over he was given the Honoury rank of Lt/Col and also was awarded the OBE Living to the ripe old age of 91 and being the last survivor of Rorkes Drift he passed away on the

8th May 1945 which was VE day.

I see people displaying medals of Lt Col Frank Bourne but only 2 the DCM and Zulu. Even the Zulu medal is incorrect.

These were his medals Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Bourne,Order British Empire,Distinguished Conduct Medal South Africa Zulu 1877-8-9 (Not 1877-9 as often quoted) India General Service Medal Burma 1887-89

Source: Barry Sheppard

HAMILTON: Papers relating to service as General Officer Commanding Mediterranean Command and Inspector General of Overseas Forces, 1910-1914

"27th Jul; from Maj Frank Bourne, a former Quartermaster at the School of Musketry at Hythe, Kent, a former Colour Sergeant of The South Wales Borderers, and veteran of the battle of Rorke's Drift, Zulu War, Jan 1879, requesting Hamilton to assist his petition for a distinguished service reward for past military service",