3-057-086 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Major John Rouse Merriott Chard, VC, 1881. Chard (1847-1897), then a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, commanded the British defenders at Rorke's Drift, South Africa, in January 1879. With only 104 men fit for duty, Chard held off an attack by a force of some 4500 Zulu warriors. For this he was awarded the Victoria Cross, as were 10 other officers and men under his command. Chard was also promoted to Major after his exploits at Rorke's Drift.