Gonville Bromhead c. 1872

Gonville Bromhead VC (29 August 1845-9 February 1891) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Photo of Victoria Cross recipient Gonville Bromhead, migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference site with permission. ... Photo of Victoria Cross recipient Gonville Bromhead, migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference site with permission. ... The Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. ... is the 241st day of the year (242nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1891 (MDCCCXCI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem No official anthem - the United Kingdom anthem God Save the Queen is commonly used England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto)1 Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Monarch Queen Elizabeth II... The Victoria Cross (VC) is a military decoration awarded for valour in the face of the enemy to members of armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

He was a 33 years old lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot (later The South Wales Borderers), British Army during the Zulu War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. Lieutenant is a military, naval, paramilitary, fire service or police officer rank. ... The South Wales Borderers was an infantry regiment of the British Army. ... The South Wales Borderers was an infantry regiment of the British Army. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... The Battle of Rorkes Drift The Anglo-Zulu War was fought in 1879 between Britain and the Zulus, and signalled the end of the Zulus as an independent nation. ...

Bromhead had a profound deafness which had restricted his promotion opportunities to this point in his life. It was this disability that prompted Bromhead to defer command to Chard during the Rorke's Drift Siege.

On 22 and 23 January 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Lieutenant Bromhead shared the command of the defenders of the post with an officer of the Royal Engineers (John Rouse Merriott Chard), setting a fine example and conducting himself with great gallantry in most trying circumstances. Combatants Britain Zulu Nation Commanders John Chard Gonville Bromhead Prince Dabulamanzi Strength 139 4,000–5,000 Casualties 17 killed, 15 wounded 450 found dead immediately after battle, Hundreds more believed also died (2000+) Rorkes Drift was a mission station in Natal, South Africa, situated near a natural ford... Bust of John Rouse Merriott Chard. ...

He later achieved the rank of Brevet-Major. He was considered to be Irish, despite being born in Versailles, France, August 29, 1845. His mother, Judith Christine Wood, was certainly Irish, being a native of Woodville, Co. Sligo. However, his father's home was Thurlby Hall, north of Bassingham, near Lincoln. He was known to be very hard of hearing. Image File history File links Victoria_Cross_Medal_Ribbon_&_Bar. ... In the US military, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank. ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ... Versailles (pronounced in French), formerly de facto capital of the kingdom of France, is now a wealthy suburb of Paris and is still an important administrative and judicial center. ... is the 241st day of the year (242nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: 54. ... Bassingham is a village and civil parish in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England, with a population of 1308. ... Lincoln (pronounced //) is a cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England. ...

In the 1964 film Zulu Gonville Bromhead was portrayed by Michael Caine, in his first starring role. Zulu is a 1964 adventure film depicting the Battle of Rorkes Drift between the British Army and the Army of the Zulus. ... Sir Maurice Joseph Micklewhite, Jr. ...

Bromhead died in India where he is buried in a military cemetery. The church at Thurlby in Lincolnshire has a stained glass window dedicated to him. His grandfather, who fought at the Battle of Waterloo, is buried in its churchyard. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the South Wales Borderers Museum (Brecon, Powys, Wales). Lincolnshire (abbreviated Lincs) is a county in the east of England. ... Combatants First French Empire Seventh Coalition: United Kingdom Kingdom of Prussia Kingdom of the United Netherlands Kingdom of Hanover Dutchy of Nassau Duchy of Brunswick Commanders Napoleon Bonaparte, Michel Ney Duke of Wellington, Gebhard von Blücher Strength 73,000 67,000 Coalition 60,000 Prussian (48,000 engaged by...

References

• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Richard Howes, John Young

The following people are Irish recipients of the Victoria Cross. ... Monuments To Courage is a book by David Harvey, published in 1999. ... The Register of the Victoria Cross A list of all 1350 Victoria Crosses with details of each recipient ISBN 0906324033 Publisher: Cheltenham: This England Books; 1981 Size: 8vo - over 7 3/4 - 9 3/4 Pagination: 303 + 4. ...

External links

• Lt. Gonville Bromhead (biography, photos, memorial details)
• Rorke's Drift (information within Frederick Hitch site)

Very rough location of where he is buried can be found on Google Earth at: 25° 27' 06.31" N 81° 48' 31.30" E