24th Regiment of Foot, Rorke’s Drift 1879

In the 19th century it was unusual for a regiment to have both its battalions serving in the same theatre of war but this was the case for the 24th Regiment during the Zulu War of 1879. The 1st Battalion had been in South Africa since 1875, campaigning in West Griqualand in 1875 and in the Galeka War of 1877-78. The 2nd Battalion which was raised in 1858 had seen service in Burma, the Andaman Islands and Madras. They arrived in Natal just in time to take part in Lord Chelmsford’s invasion of Zululand in January 1879.
Chelmford’s field force was initially divided into 5 columns, 3 of which would advance towards the main Kraal of King Cetshwayo at Ulundi. They were to be led independently and be supplied by their own transports. Both battalions of the 24th had companies in the 3rd column, led by Colonel Richard Glyn, an ex-CO of the 24th. Chelmsford and his staff accompanied Glyn’s column but both commanders were some miles away from the battle so avoided the fate that befell the men in the camp at Isandhlwana.