Anglo-Zulu war as a part of people's childhood memories

Hello,
My name is Chelsea and I am a senior at Michigan State University (and also new to this forum!). I'm writing a research paper for one of my classes on the Anglo-Zulu War and one of the things I'm really interested in is how the war was such a big part of people's childhood memories. I originally was doing my research on Zulus portrayed in comic books and that is how I came across this forum. After reading some of the posts, I could tell that the war was a very big part of people's lives and memories. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to share their story--how did the war impact/influence your childhood or your life in general? Your memories? I would really love to hear your stories!


I very much appreciate any help, and thank you in advance!

Chelsea welcome to the forum. To be honest it didn't impact/influence my childhood at all, I saw the film Zulu when I was quite young, and took an interest from there. Also the fact that the Anglo Zulu War was back in 1879 I doubt it really affected anyone's childhood or at least not the many members on the forum.

I'm sorry, I really don't mean the actual war itself (I don't think anyone on here lived through it! that would be pretty remarkable) but more how the movies, comics, or maybe parent's interests in the war became a part of people's lives.

It seems like most people here saw the movie "Zulu" or "Zulu Dawn" when they were young. What about the movie interested you that you began to research more into the subject?

Hello Chelsea and welcome to the forum.

Yes, I understand what you mean. My interest in the AZW goes back long before the classic (but unfortunately, almost fictional), film 'Zulu' was released in 1964. When I was a young lad, my grandfather used to take me out in the countryside for walks, he always ended up in the 'tap room' of the local pub for a couple of pints and a talk with his old comrades that he fought alongside in WW1. He would talk many a time about a relative that fought during the AZW, and who was in the 24th foot (2nd Warwickshire) regiment, I often heard him mention Rorke's Drift during his talks with his other old pals. Of course, at my then young age, I didn't have much of a clue about the AZW, however, the name 'Rorke's Drift' always stuck in my head. Then when I was at senior school, the AZW was discussed in the history lessons, I mentioned the name Rorke's Drift, and said that my grandfather had spoken of a member of our family that had fought in the battle. The teacher was intrigued by this, and tried to help me find out about this relative, but nothing came of it, and after I left school I started work and had to concentrate on other things, but my interest in the AZW never left me.

Other things begin to interest people when they get out in the 'big wide world' after leaving school, and one of those interests was the loss of the Titanic, and the identity of the mystery ship that was reported nearby, and my interest in this grew even more when the film 'A night to remember' was released, but again, my interest in anything military and especially the AZW, never left me.

When the film 'Zulu' was released, I went to watch it, yes, it was very powerful, but somehow I could not figure out why they said that it was a Welsh regiment, when my grandfather had spoken of the regiment being called the 2nd Warwickshire regiment, surely my old grandad could not have been wrong, could he? It was this that rekindled my interest, and started me trying to search for information on the identity of the relative my grandad spoke of.

So far I have found a number of Coopers that where in the 24th foot (2nd Warwickshire) regiment, a couple of them were killed at Isandlwana, but one of them fought at Rorke's Drift and survived, and it is this person who could well be the relative my grandad used to speak about. His name was William Cooper, and he was in the 24th foot (2nd Warwickshire) regiment, and he did fight in the defence of Rorke's Drift.

Regards.

Martin.

The war didn't influence my childhood but I was always fascinated by the African continent, its history and exploration. I've never watched "Zulu" (except some snippets) and watched "Zulu Dawn" pretty late. The first time I learned about Isandlwana was when I read a few lines in a book about Little Big Horn and another occasion was a single sentence in a book written by adventurer Hans Schomburgk. From that developed the wish to find out more about that particular battle and it's context.

owensche wrote:

I originally was doing my research on Zulus portrayed in comic books [...]

Can't believe that in comics ever was some sort of differentiation between ethnical subgroups

Thank you very much for sharing your accounts!

Martin, I'm glad to hear you talk about the film Zulu that way. We watched it in my class, and while it was a very interesting movie, it didn't seem very accurate.

thinredlineMod, there aren't very many comics that have Zulus in them, save for those that are about the AZW. I found one on the forum called Zululand--seemed to be a four-part comic series about the war. There is also a comic version of the Zulu movie. I've mainly been looking at those

owensche wrote:

there aren't very many comics that have Zulus in them, save for those that are about the AZW. I found one on the forum called Zululand--seemed to be a four-part comic series about the war. There is also a comic version of the Zulu movie.

Never heard of these. Could you post a link? I don't even find this forum you mentioned and would be interested to have a look at these comics.

sure thing :)

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

owensche wrote:

sure thing :)

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haha that link wasn't far away ... thanks

Hi Chelsea.

I am also glad that you agree about the film Zulu.

It is a classic film, but it is so inaccurate that it is almost fiction, and in my opinion should be remade to tell the people the REAL name of the regiment that fought this defence of Rorke's Drift, and give back the honour and glory to the 2nd Warwickshire regiment, and not to some fictional Welsh regiment who's name did not even exist during the AZW.

I have had a number of 'discussions' with some other members about this subject, and if you look through the old posts you can read my opinions on this film and the myth that it created. And it is through this almost fictional film that many people still believe that the regiment that fought at RD was a Welsh regiment, and of course, the Welsh just love to bask in this mythical glory that is not rightfully theirs, and therefor they do not display the REAL name of the regiment, they just put the 24th foot or 24th regiment, and completely and deliberately avoid putting the 2nd Warwickshire Regiment, as this would give the game away to the general public.

Martin.

Hi Chelsea .
Welcome to the forum I'll reply to your pm later today / tonight .
Cheers 90th.

Hi Chelsea and welcome.

My interest started with tales from my father who actually knew one of the VC winners. Later on as a teenager i saw a film on Davy Crocket, Fess Parker I do believe took the leading roll. I decided to build a model, from match sticks, of the Alamo and while searching through the library for some sort of plan came across the story of Rorkes Drift. From reading about that battle it inspired me to see the movie. From there it was a jump from the 'kiddies stuff' of RD to the more serious side at iSandlwana.

So yes to a degree it did impact on my youth.

regards and good luck.

Hi Chelsea

Don't restrict yourself to English language publications. There exists a series (over 20) of hard back French comic books on the Anglo -Zulu War - type in ZOULOU !!!!

Bill
Bill Cainan
Curator
The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh
Brecon

bill cainan wrote:

Hi Chelsea

Don't restrict yourself to English language publications. There exists a series (over 20) of hard back French comic books on the Anglo -Zulu War -
Bill
Bill Cainan
Curator
The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh
Brecon

[quote]

Hi Mister Canan,

Right!
But only one book in French!!! (David CLAMMER: "la guerre des zoulous")
Regard

YMOB

Mr Cooper. This made me laugh, the way you managed to slip this in. Excellent!!! You can't keep a good man down.

Quote :

When the film 'Zulu' was released, I went to watch it, yes, it was very powerful, but somehow I could not figure out why they said that it was a Welsh regiment, when my grandfather had spoken of the regiment being called the 2nd Warwickshire regiment, surely my old grandad could not have been wrong, could he? It was this that rekindled my interest, and started me trying to search for information on the identity of the relative my grandad spoke of.

Chelsea. At a very young age I was drawn to a toy Martinti Henry rifle that was in the local toy shop window, no matter what other toys my parents brought me, I always played with my toy Martinti Henry Rifle. It was my rifle and there was no other rifle like it. Infact I become obsessed with it taking it everywhere I went, this went on for many years, althought the rifle was old I kept it cleaning ensuring all the working parts worked like a maidens touch. My parents became concerned about my obsession with my toy Martinti Henry Rifle. They took to see a hypnotist who took me back in regression. The date was 22nd Jan 1879. My name then was Anthony Durnford and I was a major in the Royal Engineers. I was based at the mission station Rorkes Drift on the morning of the 22nd Jan. I received an order from the Good Lord Chelmsford to move to Insandlwana and take command I arrived at Isandlwana around 10:30 just in time for breakfast with another Major named Pulliene. When I told him that I was to take commard of the camp he became very upset saying he had been left in commard and it wasn't fair that I should take that away from him. He even offer me his best conker which was a sixa, has I had a sevena I declined his offer, and he walked off telling all the men to get lost, sending them well away from the camp with just their rifles and 70 rounds of ammo. Well being a Major of sober habit, I decided to go elsewhere and asked Major Pulliene if I could have a few companies of his men to keep me company, just to have someone to talk to really. But he still had the hump, and said no. I left with what men I had, and a rocket battery. I hadn't got far when all these Zulus appeared and start throwing spears at us. I said " stop throwing those bloody spears" anyway they didn't listen, so I thought it best to return to Isandlwana riding as fast as we could. In my haste I totally forgot about the Rocket Battery that was on foot. Completely slipped my mind. when we got back to Isandlwana the men were still where they had been sent with just their rifles and 70 rounds a long way from the camp. I said to Pulliene you had better call the men in as we now seemed to be in a bit of trouble as 25000 Zulus were intend on sticking us with there spears. But he said he was going to write to his mother about me trying to take away his command, and disappeared inside is tent. Well you can imagine the situation I was stuck in a donga surrounded by thousands of Zulus. I thought to hell with this so we made a run for it. The only problem was the regiments of the 24th were to far apart, of course when we left a big gap appeared like a door being left open, and very soon the angry Zulus came running thorough, sticking and stabbing anything that moved. The men who had been send out with just their rifles and 70 rounds were fast using up there 70 rounds, and no one had made arrangements for reserves to be brought up. So there was a major panic and the men started to retreat back to where the ammo was, being closely followed by the angry Zulus. It was at this point I send a messenger to get the colours so we could rally the troops, he was gone for sometime, when he returned he told me another man had taken the colour he tried to catch him but couldn't because he was to fast. Anyway to cut a long story short. I got up on a waggon and using my revolver kept the enemy at bay, that was until four spears hit me in the chest. Then it all went black. So yes I was affected in my early years. By the way when I was at RD most of the men there were British not Welsh.

Hi Chelmsfordthescapegoat

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Very Good

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

:lol:

:sleep:

Hi CTSG.
Must say that was quite good , you should take up writing , you may give SOME people a run for their money ! :lol: :lol:
cheers 90th.

CTSG

Loved it

Thanks for your comments CTSG, much appreciated.

Your other post had me in stitches, very funny, well done. :lol:

Why not take up 90th's advice about taking up writing, and give some others a run for their money.

Regards.

Martin.

Hi ctsg,

Agree with Martin and others, where have you been all this time.?
Dont hide your light under a bushel.

regards

barry

Barry
Better he stays under a bushel :lol:

regards

Hi Springbok9,

Joking aside, I think Ctsg and Martin would make a formidable pair of authors .

regards

barry

Good god man !!. You could give SD a run for his money. Do you still have the toy Martinti Henry Rifle. :joker: