The Rorke's Drift VC
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Date | Original Topic | 6th June 2001 | James Rorke By April Does anyone know more about the namesake of Rorke's Drift than the bare bones facts found at a few web sites? I have heard that James Rorke died in the Buffalo River in 1873 and that he is buried near Rorke's Drift. Any information would be appreciated. | Date | Replies | 7th June 2001 | James Wilson This is an article on the battle with a bit about Rorke in the into, it most likely does not give you any more info but here is the link.
http://www.rapidttp.com/milhist/vol044gc.html | 7th June 2001 | John Young April,
Check the detailed account of the battle on this site, written by myself, there's a few paragraphs on Jim Rorke there.
John Young
Anglo-Zulu War Research Society. | 7th June 2001 | April Thank you James for the web site link. And, thank you John for writing the most detailed description of Jim Rorke that I have found. He is a rather elusive character.
Does anyone know if he is buried at Rorke's Drift and if his gravesite is marked?
Also, I wonder why I have heard that James Rorke drown in the Buffalo river? Myth I would guess.
Perhaps wishful thinking on my part but I can't imagine that Jim committed suicide. This would have been very contrary to his strong Irish upbringing. While I don't know much about Jim I do know a tremendous amount about his ancestory. Please feel free to email me if anyone would like to know more.
Thanks again.
April Rorke Blakely | 8th June 2001 | alan critchley April,
I have so far heard two versions of the death of James Rorke. David Rattray of Fugitives Drift Lodge, an accepted authority on the Zulu War, states that Rorke committed suicide when his order of gin failed to materialise. He also says that he was buried under a yard of concrete so that his remains wouldn't be disturbed.
Ian Knight (another accepted authority) on the otherhand states that he died after a two day illness.
I should be interested to know the exact details of his death.
I will forward to you a photograph of James Rorke's grave at Rorke's Drift which we took in January of this year.
Alan Critchley | 9th June 2001 | april Alan,
I am now in email contact with James Rorke's great-granddaughter and will put the question to her about Jim's death and let you know if she adds anything to the story. I would greatly appreciate the photo of the grave. Thanks.
Regards,
April |
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