The Victoria Cross (VC) was awarded to 23 members of the British Armed Forces and colonial forces for actions performed during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. The Victoria Cross is a military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories. The VC was introduced in Great Britain on 29 January 1856 by Queen Victoria to reward acts of valour during the Crimean War, and takes precedence over all other orders, decorations and medals. It may be awarded to a person of any rank in any service and to civilians under military command. The first ceremony was held on 26 June 1857, when Queen Victoria invested 62 of the 111 Crimean recipients in Hyde Park.Ashcroft, Michael; preface; XI–XIII

The Anglo-Zulu War (also known as the Zulu War) was fought in 1879 between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom (Zululand; part of modern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa). Although British and colonial forces under General Lord Chelmsford entered Zululand unopposed, on 11 January 1879, the Zulu army soon inflicted a heavy defeat on them at the Battle of Isandlwana, in which more than 1,300 British and colonial forces were killed. Immediately after the battle, Zulu troops moved onto the small garrison at Rorke's Drift. Here, just over 150 British and colonial soldiers defended the outpost against 4,000 Zulu warriors. The action was later made famous by the film Zulu. The defence of Rorke's Drift is considered by historians as a masterly defensive action and an example of heroism against overwhelming numbers. Eleven VC recipients received their awards for deeds performed during the defence of the small garrison – one of the largest number awarded for a single action, and the largest number (7) awarded to a single unit (the 2nd/24th Foot) for a single action. The severe losses at Isandlwana resulted in Lord Chelmsford having to abandon his initial invasion plan and to request significant reinforcements before another could be attempted. After these reinforcements arrived, a second invasion was launched in May. The second invasion culminated in the defeat of the Zulu army at the Battle of Ulundi, on 4 July 1879. The war saw the end of the Zulu nation's independence as it became a protectorate of the British.

Under the original Royal Warrant, the VC could not be awarded posthumously. Between 1879 and 1901, several notices were issued in the London Gazette regarding soldiers who would have been awarded the VC had they survived. In a partial reversal of policy in 1902, six of the soldiers mentioned were granted the VC, but not "officially" awarded the medal. In 1907, the posthumous policy was completely reversed and medals were sent to the next of kin of the six officers and men; Nevill Coghill and Teignmouth Melvill were two of the soldiers who were decorated thus. The Victoria Cross warrant was not officially amended to include posthumous awards until 1920 but one quarter of all awards for the First World War were posthumous.Crook, MJ, Chapter 8 pp. 68–90

Recipients

NameUnitDate of actionPlace of actionSometimes spelled 'Allen', though spelled 'Allan' on his marriage certificate and on his tombstone (see http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/vc/allen.htm). Also N. Holme (1999) The Noble 24th p. 32102424th Regiment of Foot1879-02-2222–23 January 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Colony0099th Lancers1879-07-033 July 1879White Umfolozi River (near Ulundi), Zululand08080th Regiment of Foot1879-03-1212 March 1879Battle of Intombe, Transvaal02424th Regiment of Foot1879-02-2222–23 January 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Colony02424th Regiment of Foot1879-03-2829 March 1879Battle of Kambula, Zululand06060th Rifles1879-03-2828 March 1879Battle of Hlobane, ZululandRoyal Engineers1879-02-2222–23 January 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Colony02424th Regiment of Foot1879-01-2222 January 1879*Battle of Isandlwana, ZululandCommissariat DepartmentCommissariat and Transport Department1879-02-2222–23 January 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal ColonyFrontier Light Horse1879-07-033 July 1879White Umfolozi River (near Ulundi), Zululand02690th Regiment of Foot1879-03-2828 March 1879Battle of Hlobane, Zululand02424th Regiment of Foot1879-02-2222–23 January 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Colony02424th Regiment of Foot1879-02-2222–23 January 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Colony02424th Regiment of Foot1879-02-2222–23 January 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Colony02424th Regiment of Foot1879-02-2222–23 January 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Colony01313th Regiment of Foot1879-03-2828 March 1879Battle of Hlobane, Zululand02690th Regiment of Foot1879-03-2828 March 1879Battle of Hlobane, Zululand02424th Regiment of Foot1879-01-2222 January 1879*Battle of Isandlwana, ZululandFrontier Light Horse1879-07-033 July 1879White Umfolozi River (near Ulundi), ZululandArmy Medical DepartmentArmy Medical Department1879-02-2222–23 January 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Colony3rd Natal Native Contingent1879-02-2222–23 January 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Colony08080th Regiment of Foot1879-01-2222 January 1879Battle of Isandlwana, Zululand02424th Regiment of Foot1879-02-2222–23 January 1879Battle of Rorke's Drift, Natal Colony

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