Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift - the two major battles of the Anglo Zulu War of 1879.

In 1879 the British invaded Zululand. The central of the three major invading columns forded the Buffalo River at Rorke's Drift. Within days Lord Chelmsford's invasion was in jeopardy. Part of his central column had been almost annihilated at Isandlwana in a battle rated as one of the greatest military disasters in British colonial history.

A few survivors from Isandlwana struggled back into Natal across the mighty Buffalo River. Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill died in a gallant attempt to save the Queen's colours, earning the first posthumous Victoria Crosses in history. This section of the river was for ever after called the Fugitives' Drift and is now home to the Rattray family's world famous Fugitives' Drift Lodge.

A great wing of the Zulu army went on to attack the British garrison at Rorke's Drift, and these warriors were beaten off in a battle that lasted all night. More VC.'s were awarded for valour in this battle than in any other battle in history. There never was another day like this one…….