Month: May 2025

Blue Plaque Unveiled in Dorking to Honour Rorke’s Drift Hero Frank Bourne on 80th Anniversary of His Death

On Saturday, 17th May , a large and respectful crowd gathered on South Street, Dorking, to witness the unveiling of a Blue Plaque in honour of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Bourne OBE DCM, who was the last British survivor of the famed 1879 Battle of Rorke’s Drift. The ceremony organised by local historian Tim Richardson, held 80 years after his death on 9th May, 1945, marked a poignant tribute to a man whose quiet later years in Dorking belied a legendary military career forged in one of the most celebrated battles in British military history.

The commemorative plaque was affixed to the building now home to the Dorking Clock Centre, which once housed the tearoom run by Bourne’s daughter. Frank Bourne lived there during his final years, passing away at the age of 90. It was a fitting place to remember the man who, as a 5’3” Colour Sergeant in the 24th Regiment, held a pivotal command role in the defence of Rorke’s Drift against overwhelming Zulu forces.

The unveiling ceremony was carried out by Colour Sergeant Kevin Smith of the Royal Welsh Regiment—successors to the 24th Regiment—and Princess Zama-Zulu, a descendant of the Zulu warriors who fought in the historic conflict. Both have ancestral ties to the events of 1879, and their presence added a layer of emotional and historical depth to the proceedings.

A Soldier of Distinction

Born in 1854, Frank Bourne enlisted in the British Army at a young age and rapidly distinguished himself through both discipline and leadership. At just 24 years old, he was the senior non-commissioned officer at the Mission Station at Rorke’s Drift, Natal, South Africa, when approximately 150 British and colonial troops were attacked by an estimated 4,000 Zulu warriors on January 22–23, 1879.

The battle, which saw the defenders successfully repel repeated assaults over nearly 12 hours, resulted in the awarding of 11 Victoria Crosses—more than in any other single engagement in British military history. Bourne’s own bravery earned him the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), and he was offered a battlefield commission, which he declined due to the financial hardship it would have imposed on his family at the time.

Despite his modest beginnings and refusal of early promotion, Bourne later accepted a commission and eventually rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) and served with distinction throughout his career.

From Battlefield to Tearoom

After retiring from military service, Bourne lived with his daughter, who ran a small tearoom on South Street in Dorking. Neighbours recall him as a quiet, dignified figure who rarely spoke of the war, though he remained proud of his service. He passed away peacefully on May 9, 1945, just one day after Victory in Europe Day, marking the end of World War II in Europe.

His life spanned the high Victorian era and the great cataclysm of World War I and II

Zulu The Film 

For many, the name Frank Bourne may ring familiar thanks to the 1964 film Zulu, in which he was portrayed by actor Nigel Green. However, the screen version bore little physical resemblance to the real man. Green, a commanding figure at 6’4” with a 50-inch chest, was twice Bourne’s size and significantly older than the youthful sergeant he portrayed.

That discrepancy has always amused military historians, But it also speaks to the mythologising of Rorke’s Drift. The real story is even more compelling than the film version.

Shared Heritage: British and Zulu Legacies Meet Again

One of the most moving aspects of the ceremony was the joint presence of Colour Sergeant Smith and Princess Zama-Zulu. The event was not only a remembrance of a British hero but also an opportunity for reflection on the broader legacy of colonial history and its ongoing reverberations.

Princess Zama-Zulu spoke eloquently about the need for mutual respect and shared memory.

“This plaque is not just a mark of honour for a brave man,” she said. “It is a reminder that history lives in all of us. My ancestors fought for their homeland, just as Frank Bourne defended his post. Today, we remember them together, in peace.”

Colour Sergeant Smith echoed the sentiment. “We in the Royal Welsh carry forward the traditions of the 24th. Remembering Colour Sergeant Bourne is remembering the best of those who served. But it’s also about recognising the full story—the courage on both sides of that hill in 1879.”

Legacy Beyond the Plaque

After the service on South Street, visitors lingered to read the inscription, many moved by the depth of history behind the unassuming building.

“To think that this quiet man who took part in Rorke’s Drift lived and drunk tea here was once in the thick of one of the most storied battles in British military history—it gives you a different perspective,” said local resident Jeremy Miles.

In a time when the complexities of history are being re-examined with fresh eyes, the plaque stands not only as a tribute to military gallantry but as a touchstone for dialogue, remembrance, and reconciliation. As the echoes of a 146-year-old battle continue to ripple through time, the town of Dorking has found a meaningful way to ensure the legacy of Frank Bourne—and all those who fought at Rorke’s Drift—is not forgotten.

Reporter Paul Taylor