Lt. John Rouse Merriott Chard (Royal Engineers).

Chard, officer left to command Rorke's Drift by Major Spalding. Died of cancer of the tongue 1st. November 1897 while living with his brother.

Directions to Memorial

He is buried in the churchyard of St. John the Baptist, Hatch Beauchaup, near Taunton in Somerset. From the A5 south from Bristol, take the A358 south. Follow the sign off to the left for Hatch Beauchamp.

Entering the village turn left at the junction. 400 yards along turn left and head to the large house which has the church behind it. The grave of Chard is on the south side of the church, easily found.

There is also nearby round the corner to the right, a stained glass window in the church which is dedicated to him, best viewed from inside the church. Note the gravestone reads 'The hero of Rorke's Drift'.

Click here to see a map

Rough location can be found on Google Earth at:

Why was he awarded the Victoria Cross?

Aged 31, he was in command of Rorke's Drift with Bromhead his second in command, showing great leadership throughout.

Read Lieutenant Chard's report to Queen Victoria and hear how "In wrecking the stores in my wagon, the Zulus had brought to light a forgotten bottle of beer, and Bromhead and I drank it with mutual congratulations on having come safely out of so much danger."

Further Information

John Chard was born near Plymouth in December 1847. His elder brother became a Colonel in the Royal Fusiliers. His younger brother was a clergyman. There were four sisters. He was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in July 1868. He served in Bermuda and Malta. He joined No. 5 Company RE in South Africa in 5 January 1879.

He did not arrive at Rorke's Drift until 19 January and was the senior officer present on 22/23 January 1879, having been left in command by Major Spalding. He was given a brevet Majority after Rorke's Drift. He received the VC from Sir Garnet Wolseley at St Paul's, Zululand on 16 July 1879.

Chard visited Queen Victoria at Balmoral twice in October 1879 and February 1880. He served in Singapore as a Lieutenant Colonel between 1892-1896.

He returned to take up a post in Perth in Scotland. Whilst there, he was again invited to see Queen Victoria, but soon began to suffer from cancer.

Chard visited Queen Victoria at Balmoral twice in October 1879 and February 1880. He served in Singapore as a Lieutenant Colonel between 1892-1896. He returned to take up a post in Perth in Scotland. Whilst there, he was again invited to see Queen Victoria, but soon began to suffer from cancer. He died at his brother's home at Hatch Beachamp, Somerset in November 1897, aged 49. He never married.

Click here to see Stanley Baker at the grave

Interestingly, the Republic of South Africa created 'The John Chard decoration' and 'John Chard medal' as long service awards for their Citizen Force. (His VC is in a private collection).

Further Information supplied by the South Wales Borderers Museum, Brecon.

To read more about his life, please click here

Click on the grave inscription to zoom in, or click here

Back