Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead VC, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, 1879

Photograph, Zulu War (1879).

Gonville Bromhead (1845-1891) was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for his role in the defence of Rorke's Drift. According to 'The London Gazette' of 2 May 1879:

'For their gallant conduct at the defence of Rorke's Drift, on the occasion of the attack by the Zulus on the 22nd and 23rd January, 1879.Royal Engineers Lieutenant (now Captain and Brevet Major) J. R. M. Chard 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment Lieutenant (now Captain and Brevet Major) G. Bromhead.

The Lieutenant-General commanding the troops reports that, had it not been for the fine example and excellent behaviour of these two Officers under the most trying circumstances, the defence of Rorke's Drift post would not have been conducted with that intelligence and tenacity which so essentially characterised it.

The Lieutenant-General adds, that its success must, in a great degree, be attributable to the two young Officers who exercised the Chief Command on the occasion in question'.

Following the battle he was promoted to captain and in 1883 major. Bromhead died from typhoid fever in February 1891 at Allahabad in India.