Padre George Smith of Rorke's Drift

Padre George Smith [right] in Alphonse de Neuville's 'The Defence of Rorke's Drift [1880]

Reverend George Smith, Army Chaplain, was born at Dorking in Norfolk on January 8, 1845. 'Padre' George Smith served as a missionary in South Africa from 1870. Image File history File linksMetadata The_defense_of_Rorke's_Drift. ... Image File history File linksMetadata The_defense_of_Rorke's_Drift. ... Dorking is a market town at the foot of the North Downs approximately 25 miles south of London, in Surrey in England. ... Norfolk (IPA: //) is a low-lying county in East Anglia in the east of southern England. ... January 8 is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1845 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Two Mormon missionaries A missionary is traditionally defined as a propagator of religion who works to convert those outside that community; someone who proselytizes. ...

However, he is best remembered for his part in the famous defence of Rorke's Drift during the Zulu War of 1877–79 which won him the praise of several officers involved in that action in their reports. As an assistant army chaplain, and therefore a non-combatant, Smith played a supportive role in the defence, where he distributed ammunition to the soldiers of the 24th Regiment of Foot (2nd Warwickshires) who were manning the barricades. Smith was not portrayed in the 1964 film Zulu by which most people know of the battle. 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... 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. ... The South Wales Borderers was an infantry regiment of the British Army. ... Languages Zulu Religions Christian, African Traditional Religion Related ethnic groups Bantu Nguni Basotho Xhosa Swazi Matabele Khoisan The Zulu (South African English and isiZulu: amaZulu) are a South African ethnic group of an estimated 17-22 million people who live mainly in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. ...

After the Zulu War he was often referred to as "Ammunition Smith". As an assistant army chaplain, and therefore technically a civilian, Smith was not entiltled to receive a campaign medal or other award for his part in the defence. Instead he was offered, and accepted, a position as a regular army chaplain.

After South Africa he served as Chaplain in several other wars including the Battle of Tel al-Kebir [Tel-el-Kebir] in Egypt, the war against the Dervishes in the Sudan and during the Nile expedition in Egypt. September 13, 1882. ... The word Dervish, especially in European languages, refers to members of Sufi Muslim ascetic religious fraternities, known for their extreme poverty and austerity, similar to mendicant friars. ... The Nile (Arabic: , transliteration: , Ancient Egyptian iteru, Coptic piaro or phiaro) is a major north-flowing river in Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world. ...

Padre Smith also served in many posts in the UK, and on his retirement he resided in the Sumner's Hotel in Preston, where he died on 26/27th. November 1918 from bronchial trouble which had afflicted him for six months. After a small military ceremony, he was buried in the Church of England plot in New Hall Lane cemetery in Preston, Lancashire. Preston is a city and local government district in Lancashire, England and is located on the River Ribble. ... Lancashire is a county in North West England, bounded to the west by the Irish Sea. ...

Canon William Lummis's 1978 book 'Padre George Smith of Rorke's Drift' is a detailed account into the life of Smith and his part in the action at Rorke's Drift on January 22–23 1879. Canon William Lummis, MC, is notable for building-up an archive on the final resting places of Victoria Cross holders. ... 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...

In Alphonse de Neuville's famous 1880 painting 'The Defence of Rorke's Drift' [right] Padre Smith is depicted to the right of centre [recognisable in his blue tunic and red beard] distributing ammunition to the defenders. Alphonse-Marie-Adolphe de Neuville (1835-1885) was a French Academic painter who studied under Eugène Delacroix. ...

Selected sources:

• Padre George Smith of Rorke's Drift by Canon William Lummis, Wensum Books (Norwich) Ltd , 1978, ISBN 0-9036-1921-0

Canon William Lummis, MC, is notable for building-up an archive on the final resting places of Victoria Cross holders. ...

External links

Padre Smith's account of the Battle of Rorke's Drift

Padre George Smith on the Rorke's Drift Roll of Honour

The Defenders of Rorke's Drift