This complete chronological record of the Victoria Crosses awarded to British and Commonwealth soldiers during the Anglo-Zulu and Boer wars is an essential work of reference for everyone with a special interest in these major conflicts in southern Africa fought at the height of the British empire. The British army was severely tested in its battles against the Zulu kingdom and the Boer states, and the 107 Victoria Crosses that were awarded testify to the intensity of the fighting and the bravery and self-sacrifice of the soldiers concerned. The book celebrates their extraordinary exploits in action at famous locations like Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift, Ladysmith, Colenso and Mafeking where, under fire, they had to draw on exceptional reserves of courage. Each entry gives the name and rank of the VC holder and the date and location of the action in which the VC was earned. The episodes themselves are described, in vivid detail. Information is also provided on the subsequent career of the VC recipients, the location of their medals and their place of burial.
AUTHOR: Kevin Brazier has long been intrigued by medals and medal recipients, in particular by the VC, Britain’s highest award for gallantry. His study of the history of the Victoria Cross led to his definitive work The Complete Victoria Cross, and he has also compiled similarly comprehensive books on the George Cross and the Blue Max. This new book on the VCs awarded during the Anglo-Zulu and Boer wars complements his earlier writing on heroism in the British armed forces.
150 illustrations