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DateOriginal Topic
24th February 2004Trumpeter
By Lukas
Hi there

was there a trumpeter at rorke's drift? I think in the film "Zulu" I saw one.

Thank you for your responds

DateReplies
24th February 2004John Young
Lukas,

There was no 'Trumpeter' at Rorke's Drift, at least not during the battle. A Trumpeter is a rank used in mounted units. There were however, four Drummers present in the battle, and their other instrument was a bugle.

John Y.
24th February 2004Lukas
John,

Thank you for this information! What do you think, was the bugle used to submit some orders of the officers.

Is there anything know about the role of the drummers during the battle?

Thank you
24th February 2004John Young
Lukas,

Yes the bugle was used to convey the orders above the noise of battle. I've got the music of the bugle sounds/calls, if you need them.

There are comments made about and by some of the Drummers in the new book 'Rorke's Drift, By Those Who Were There.' by Lee Stevenson & Alan Baynham Jones, which is available via the shop on this site.

John Y.
24th February 2004Lukas
John,

thank you for your reply! I would highly appriciate if you could send me the bugle sounds/call! Are these sound files?

I'll buy this book as soon as possible. What do you think about the book "Rorke's Drift - Pinned like rats in a hole". May this book could be helpfull?

Thank you
24th February 2004John Young
Lukas,

No they are the musical notes, you'll have to supply your own bugler!

For your purposes you would find the Osprey book Rorke's Drift 1879 - 'Pinned like rats in a hole', most useful. However, use the list of personnel that I have already sent you, as it includes more up-to-date information than contained in the book.

John Y.
24th February 2004Sheldon Hall
A minor point, but the bugler in ZULU was actually credited as such, not as a trumpeter; he was played by Ronald Hill, a South African actor.
24th February 2004Lukas
Thank you for your replies!

Could you send the notes to me John! I'll find a bugle! This would be very nice!

I defenitly use your list!

Thank you booth of you!
25th February 2004David Alan Gardner
John,

Do you think you could send me the music o "the alert"-as you offered before.
I was just thinking my young nephew could play it on his clarinet for me-at least the notes would be correct"
25th February 2004John Young
David,

No problem.

John Y.