Rorkes Drift Zulu dinner 2021

Kevin Ashman Theheritagemint@gmail.com

When most people hear the word ZULU, they are usually transported to that wonderful film from 1964 starring legendary actors, Michael Caine and Stanley Baker showing the magnificent defence of a small outpost called Rorke’s Drift by just over a hundred British and native soldiers against the might of the Zulu army. The film has since gone on to become a firm favourite with viewers all around the world and is still watched to this day by new generations, equally enthralled by the splendour and bravery on display that day.

Of course, what many might not realise is that the film is based on actual events and even allowing for artistic license, the bravery reflected within the story still echoes to this day, almost 143 years later. The battle has gone down in folklore, both with the British and Zulu communities and over the past few years, relationships between the British regiments involved and the Zulu nation have grown stronger, with old enemies becoming the best of friends. Of course, those that took part have long gone but the celebrations and memories have been passed down through the generations to be remembered right up to the present day.

The actual regiments who fought that day no longer exist, with the South Wales Borders in particular going through various merges to become the Royal Regiment of Wales and ultimately, The Royal Welsh Regiment. Today, in Brecon, South Wales, there is a museum dedicated to The Royal Welsh, displaying various items and memorabilia from the actual battle.

However. like many such establishments, the museum needs investment to keep going and to that end, the Friends of the Royal Welsh, arranged a formal dinner on 30th October, 2021, to raise much needed funds for the museum.

What is particularly interesting, is that amongst the VIP’s on the evening, were HRH Princess Zama-Zulu, Mrs Tembe Tambo, the High Commissioner of South Africa and Glyn Baker, Stanley Baker’s son. Consequently, here at the Heritage Mint, we are extremely proud to have been invited to the event, and worked closely with the Friends of the Royal Welsh to produce beautiful Gold-plated Medallions featuring the Battle of Rorke’s Drift, inspired by the famous painting by William Henry Duggan.

Approximately 106 of these medallions were provided to the event, along with certificates of authenticity, and were sold on the night with all profits going to the museum. In addition we provided seven full sets of Great British Battles commemorative medallions as special gifts for the Princess and the rest of the VIPs, and an award-winning, remembrance day poem engraved in solid brass, currently the only one in existence.

RORKE’S DRIFT

The black- tie event was held in the officers mess at Dering Lines and all guests were treated to a sublime dinner in sumptuous surroundings. Atmospheric reality was provided by a group of Rorke’s drift re-enactors, a reality check about how heavy and varied the actual uniforms were all those years ago.

Guests enjoyed talks on the battle from various experts and of particular interest was one by Glyn Baker about his experiences as a child on the set of Zulu over five decades earlier.

By the end of the night, the Friends of The Royal Welsh had raised an incredible amount of money in support of the museum, with promises of doing it all again sometime soon.

All in all it was a very successful evening which was brought to an end by Kevin Ashman of The Heritage Mint reading out his award-winning poem, The Price of Freedom, a fitting end to a wonderful evening, especially as the event was so close to Armistice Day.

Heritage Mint is an associated company of Aspen Waite.

All in all it was a very successful evening which was brought to an end by Kevin Ashman of The Heritage Mint reading out his award-winning poem, The Price of Freedom, a fitting end to a wonderful evening, especially as the event was so close to Armistice Day.

Heritage Mint is an associated company of Aspen Waite.