| Birth: | Dec. 21, 1847
Plymouth
Devon, England | | Death: | Nov. 1, 1897 | 
British Victorian Cross Medal Recipient, British Army Officer. Commander at Rorke's Drift. Born in Plymouth, Devon, England. In 1879, he was a Lieutenant in the Corps of Royal Engineers. He was in Natal building a bridge when he was placed in command of the British defenses at Rorke's Drift. On the morning of January 22, 1879, a Zulu Army annihilated a large British force at Isandlwana. Later in the afternoon, a smaller Zulu force, which did not participate in the earlier slaughter, attacked the small supply outpost at Rorke's Drift, 10 miles to the West on the Buffalo River. Defended by only 131 soldiers, of which 39 were in the hospital, against almost 4,000 Zulu warriors, Lieutenant Chard and his command, men of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot, held out against unceasing Zulu attacks throughout the evening and into the night. Early the next morning, after heavy losses, the Zulu's withdrew. For their incredible bravery in the face of an overwhelming force, 11 men, including Lt. Chard received the Victoria Cross. This was the largest amount of Victoria Crosses ever awarded for a single engagement, and the bravery of Lt. Chard is still commemorated by the South African Army with the John Chard Medal for Bravery. The defense of Rorke's Drift was the subject of the 1964 movie "Zulu", in which actor Stanley Baker portrayed Lieutenant Chard.
Search Amazon for John Chard | | | Burial:
St John the Baptist Churchyard
Hatch Beauchamp
Somerset, England |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Record added: Aug 12, 2000
Find A Grave Memorial# 11681 |
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R.I.P.
-Anonymous
Added: Apr. 24, 2013 |
In remembrance of your heroism 134 years ago at Rorke's Drift. Rest in Peace brave soldier.God Save the Queen!Lest we forget...
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Alex Boras
Added: Jan. 22, 2013 |
Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is thy sting? where, O death, thy victory? Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin the law; but thanks to God, who gives us the victory by our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor 15
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David Martin
Added: Jan. 13, 2013 |
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(4.4 after 31 votes)
