Our lecture in March was given by aerospace management accountant Brian Portch. His research on The Zulu War included touring the battle sites in South Africa. He gave details of the battle where the British troops were commanded by General Sir Redvers Buller and in which our local hero gained the Victoria Cross for rescuing three of his men.
Mr Portch gave the historic background before going into immense detail on the seven battles. He said that prior to the war in 1879 the British had paid scant regard to their South African colony and had an excellent relationship with the local Zulu tribe. The Afrikaner farmers were beginning to fall out with local tribes by spreading north and taking over more land but the British decided to get involved when diamonds were discovered in Kimberley. The talk was illustrated with excellent photographs of the battle sites and memorials, of which there are many.
Mr Portch said that the two sides gained great mutual respect and there is an excellent on-going relationship between the Zulus and the Welsh Regiment, which featured in the Rorke’s Drift battle.
David Nation