Cook in the film ZULU

Guest

Hello

In the film ZULU of1964, we see a cook who ended up getting killed ...

This is historical ?

There was a cook at Rorcke's Drift ?

It was of the "B"company ?

What's his name in the film ?

And in truth, he wore what name at Rorke's Drift ?

Cheers

Pascal

Posts : 63 Join date : 2010-12-06

Pascal
What was historical about a cook being killed at Rorke's Drift?

Guest

There were one or what?

Posts : 2008 Join date : 2011-08-01 Age : 27

The cook at RD was Private Hook VC

The Cook that was killed in the film was made up

There was a store keeper called Byrne that was killed

Cheers
DB14

Guest

Hi and thanks DB 14
It is a pity because I have a model that represents the character of this film!
And what name you it in the movie, please? It's for my catalog...
Cheers
Pascal

Posts : 420 Join date : 2011-05-14

Pascal,

There was indeed a cook at Rorke's Drift, he was slightly wounded rather than killed. His name was Private Alfred Henry Hook.

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The wonderful words of William Topaz McGonagall will just trip off of your tongue! (In Jest!)

kwaJimu1879

Guest

hI

But that which I speak in the film is the one bothering the officers (when they are in meeting ) with his cooking because it does not reverse it...

And after helping Dalton to distribute new print cartridge before receiving a spear in the back .. .

He's never existed in real life?

Cheers

Pascal

Posts : 225 Join date : 2011-09-19

Ah, "Hook the cook" - another one of the myths that have developed over the years and perpetuated by both David Rattray and Rob Caskie in their emotive talks.

In the army of 1879 there were very few trained cooks and the duty was invariably given to private soldiers on a rota basis (along with other duties). On the 22nd January, it was Hook's turn, but don't think of him as the permanent cook as portrayed by the fictious character in "Zulu".. He himself said "Between 3 and 4 in the afternoon, when I was engaged in preparing the tea for the sick at the out-of-door cooking place, just at the back of the hospital - for I was hospital cook ........" Hitch was also being employed on similar duties "It was about 3.30 o'clock.....that we heard of that fateful disaster of Isandhlwana, I was cooking the tea for the Company ....". Of course, this was not a duty that required much in the way of skill, the main food available being biscuits and beef !

However, "Hook the cook" rolls off the tongue better than "Hitch the cook" !!!!

Bill

Guest

HI Bill

But in the film ,the non-historical character , the one bothering the officers (When They are in meeting) with cooking history Because it Does not reverse the thea ? And After HelpingDalton to distribute new cartridge Before Receiving a spear in the back ...
What is his name in the film? The name of the non-historical character ...

Cheers

Pascal

Posts : 1862 Join date : 2009-03-25

Twas at the camp of Rorke’s Drift, and at tea-time,
And busily engaged in culinary operations was a private of the line;
But suddenly he paused, for he heard a clattering din,
When instantly two men on horseback drew rein beside him.

“News from the front!” said one, “Awful news!” said the other,
“Of which, we are afraid, will put us to great bother,
For the black Zulus are coming, and for our blood doth thirst,”
“And the force is cut up to pieces!” shouted the first.

“We’re dead beat,” said both, “but we’ve got to go on,”
And on they rode both, looking very woebegone;
Then Henry Hook put all thought of cooking out of his mind,
For he was surrounded with danger on every side he did find.

He was a private of the South Wales Borderers, Henry Hook,
Also a brave soldier, and an hospital cook;
A soldier of the Queen, who was always ready to obey,
And willing to serve God by night and day.

Then away to the Camp he ran, with his mind all in a shiver,
Shouting, “The force is cut up, sir, on the other side of the river!”
Which caused the officer in command with fear to quiver,
When Henry Hook the news to him did deliver.

Then Henry Hook saluted, and immediately retired,
And with courage undaunted his soul was fired,
And the cry rang out wildly, “The Zulus are coming!”
Then the alarm drums were instantly set a-drumming.

Then “Fall in! Fall in!” the commanders did cry,
And the men mustered out, ready to do and to die,
As British soldiers are always ready to do,
But, alas, on this occasion their numbers were but few.

They were only eighty in number, that brave British band,
And brave Lieutenant Broomhead did them command;
He gave orders to erect barricades without delay,
“It’s the only plan I can see, men, to drive four thousand savages away.”

Then the mealie bags and biscuit boxes were brought out,
And the breastwork was made quickly without fear or doubt,
And barely was it finished when some one cried in dismay,
“There’s the Zulus coming just about twelve hundred yards away.”

Methinks I see the noble hero, Henry Hook,
Because like a destroying angel he did look,
As he stood at the hospital entrance defending the patients there,
Bayoneting the Zulus, while their cries rent the air,
As they strove hard the hospital to enter in,
But he murdered them in scores, and thought it no sin.

In one of the hospital rooms was stationed Henry Hook,
And every inch a hero he did look,
Standing at his loophole he watched the Zulus come,
All shouting, and yelling, and at a quick run.

On they came, a countless host of savages with a rush,
But the gallant little band soon did their courage crush,
But the cool man Henry Hook at his post began to fire,
And in a short time those maddened brutes were forced to retire.

Still on came the savages into the barricade,
And still they were driven back, but undismayed.
Again they came into the barricade, yet they were driven back,
While darkness fell swift across the sun, dismal and black.

Then into the hospital the savages forced their way,
And in a moment they set fire to it without dismay,
Then Henry Hook flew to assist the patients in the ward,
And the fighting there was fearful and hard.

With yell and shriek the Zulus rushed to the attack,
But for the sixth time they were driven back
By the brave British band, and Henry Hook,
Who was a brave soldier, surgeon, and hospital cook.

And when Lord Chelmsford heard of the victory that day,
He sent for Henry Hook without delay,
And they took the private before the commander,
And with his braces down, and without his coat, in battle array grandeur.

Then Lord Chelmsford said, “Henry Hook, give me your hand,
For your conduct to day has been hereoic and grand,
And without your assistance to-day we’d been at a loss,
And for your heroic behaviour you shall receive the Victoria Cross.”

Posts : 225 Join date : 2011-09-19

Pascal

The character in the film is known as "Company Cook (Byrne)" and was played by Kerry Jordan. His part at the (soya stoves) was filmed on the 16th April 1963. The part where he gets an asseai in in the back was filmed on the 30th April, and his dialogue was overdubbed on the 8th August (this is the sort of detail you get from Sheldon Hall's excellent book).

24th

I can only hope Martin doesn't read verse 4 !!!! What is the source of this poem, and do you know it what year it was written ?

Bill

Guest

Hello

Yes thank you, I saw this earlier, it is very beautiful ...

I say that has never existed in reality, it was created for the film,..

He wears an apron of cook and killed by a spear in the back by helping Dalton to distribute ammu
nition ...

I can not find his name on some casting of the film!

Cheers

Pascal

Posts : 627 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 46

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Guest

Ho sorry, I did not see a result of your message so I obnibulé by the case ...

Well thank you very much, because I have a figurine of the character.

So there was a military cook (or he was a civilian )in each company and that of the "B" Company is called Byrne...

And what was his rank, and it happened in real life?

Cheers

Pascal

Guest

thank you for the superb casting,genial...
Well now, I hope that it existed in real life at Rorke's Drift !

It's Byrne...THE COMPANY COOK !!! ALIAS kERRY jORDAN Thank you all...

Cheers

Pascal

Posts : 627 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 46

Kerry Jordan! Is he alive Idea

Posts : 225 Join date : 2011-09-19

Pascal

Please read the previous posts - there were NO Company cooks, only private soldiers given the duty on rota,

There was no "Byrne" in B Company. The film company may have used the name of Acting Storekeepere L A Byrne (Commissariat & Transport Department) who was at the Drift.

The character in the film played by Kerry Jordan is FICTITIOUS !

Bill

Guest

yes thank you Bill
I came to understand, as the figure I have about this fictional character, I call it "Cook Company" ...

Without specialist chef, food had to be horrible ...

Cheers

Pascal

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