Frank Bourne
Frank Bourne 24th Regiment of Foot | |
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Battles/wars | Anglo-Zulu War World War I |
Awards | Officer of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Conduct Medal |
Early life
Born in
Rorke's Drift
On 22 and 23 January 1879, Bourne was part of the garrison at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, which held off a Zulu army. Bourne, who was now an NCO in B Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, helped organise the defence at the mission station and field hospital. Throughout the day and night of the battle, the Zulus made repeated attacks against the barricades, but the outnumbered defenders held out until relief arrived.
For his bravery, Bourne received the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for "outstanding coolness and courage" during the battle, with a £10 annuity. The DCM, until 1993, was the second highest military decoration (after the Victoria Cross) awarded to other ranks of the British Army. He was offered a commission, but "being an eighth son, and the family exchequer ... empty", he declined it.
Later career
After Rorke's Drift, Frank Bourne served in
Bourne lived in retirement at 16 Kings Hall Road,
Film portrayal
In the 1964 film Zulu, Bourne was played by Nigel Green. Green was 17 years older than the man he portrayed: Bourne was 23 at the time of the battle.
References
- ^ "A Local Hero – Sussex Living Magazine". Sussex Living Magazine. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
- ^ "Rorke's Drift, 1879 – The highest number of Victoria Crosses awarded in a single action". rorkesdriftvc.com.
- ^ "We remember Frank Edward Bourne". Imperial War Museum. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Frank Bourne blue plaque in Beckenham". blueplaqueplaces.co.uk. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
External links
- www.rorkesdriftvc.com, (2459 B Co. 24th. Regiment) (biography, photos, memorial details)
- Transcript of radio interview with Colour Sergeant Bourne recorded in 1936
- Rorke's Drift Details at www.victoriacross.co.uk listing of medal recipients, casualties