The Rorke's Drift VC Discussion Forum
(View Discussion Rules)

** IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO ALL USERS **

PLEASE NOTE: This forum is now inactive and is provided for reference purposes only. The live forum is available at www.rorkesdriftvc.com/forum

(Back To Topic List)

Date	Original Topic
16th December 2001	Wagons at Rorke's Drift By david truesdale Does anyone know if the two wagons that helped make up the defences at Rorke's Drift were of British Army issue or ones hired from local sources?
Date	Replies
16th December 2001	Gary Laliberty David: That's very good question. Of what I had read is that Chelmsford's existing transports was completely inadequate for his needs;civilian wagons, were purchased or hired to make up the shortfall. So, to answer your question, "I" don't know. The two wagons may or may not have been British Army or civilian wagons. Gary
17th December 2001	Glenn Wade Hi David! I'm only 13, so I might be wrong but I am pretty sure that the two wagons at Rorke's Drift were Boer Transport wagons, painted in the colours of a green body and red wheels. Hope this helps, Glenn.
17th December 2001	Stephen McDonald Hi David, I think Glenn may be right. Reference the book by Michael Barthorpe ' The Zulu War: A Pictorial History'. Lt. Penrose, RE., drew 2 sketches of the wagons used in the campaign: 1. A 'general service wagon' 2. A 'colonial ox wagon' with a 'tent on top' I'm not sure which type was used to build some defences at Rorke's Drift. Based on research its reasonable to assume that local wagons were used vs. any that were actual British military wagons. Hope this helps. At any rate, Page 41 of this book illustrates both vehicles. Cheers
17th December 2001	david truesdale Thanks to all who replied to my query, the question has been answered and based on what I have learned I am going with Barthorpe and the colours suggested by Glenn. Thanks again