Soldiers Who Should Have Received the Victoria Cross

"The Victoria Cross was created for valour and extreme courage, beyond that normally expected of a British soldier in face of the enemy…" - Richard Burton, at the end of the film, Zulu.

 

Twenty-four Victoria Crosses were awarded during the Anglo-Zulu War. But what constituted valour and extreme courage beyond that normally expected of a British soldier? General Sir Garnet Wolseley, who replaced Lord Chelmsford at the end of the war, was an outspoken critic of many Zulu War VCs. He spoke harshly about the eleven awarded to the defenders of Rorke’s Drift, who he described as, "Rats trapped in a hole." Wolseley expressed the VC should be awarded to those who risked their lives in the saving of others. But what of those who did perform acts of extreme bravery, who met the 'Wolseley standard,' yet were denied? Four worth considering are Captain Charles Shervinton of the Natal Native Contingent, Sergeant Major Simeon Khambula of the Edendale Horse, Sergeant Major Learda of the Basuto Horse, and Private Albert Page of the 13^th Somerset Light Infantry.

 

A Caveat Regarding Colour Sergeant Frank Bourne

Fans of the film, Zulu, debate why Colour Sergeant (later Lieutenant Colonel) Frank Bourne did not receive the VC, in spite of his extreme bravery at Rorke’s Drift. Simply put, while his valour and inspiring leadership is unquestioned, Colour Sergeant Bourne’s actions were in keeping with the duties of a senior non-commissioned officer. Each Rorke’s Drift VC was for a specific action. And despite Wolseley’s derisive language, the hospital defenders in particular met his proclaimed standard. Each was decorated for saving the lives of wounded patients while under attack and as the hospital was burning. Colour Sergeant Bourne’s bravery was still mentioned in despatches, and he was one of only four Distinguished Conduct Medal recipients from the battle.

Lieutenant Colonel (formerly Colour Sergeant) Frank Bourne

 

Captain Charles Shervinton (Natal Native Contingent) – Siege of Eshowe

Captain Charles Shervinton was a volunteer officer, one of three brothers who served in the Zulu War. His brother, Tom, died of fever at Fort Pearson along the Thukela River. During the Siege of Eshowe, Shervinton formed a small, irregular contingent of mounted volunteers. Unofficially called the ‘Uhlans’, they conducted mounted patrols, picquets, and harried the Zulu besiegers.

 

On the morning of 11 March 1879, Shervinton supervised the emplacement of mounted vedettes away from the fort. These were drawn from his own volunteers or soldiers from the Imperial Mounted Infantry (IMI). The No. 4 Vedette was surrounded by high grass and was attacked by the Zulus numerous times. Shervinton gave an account of the events from that morning:

 

…about thirty Zulus jumped up out of the long grass and fired a volley into us. Two of the men’s horses took fright, turned straight around, and bolted. The third man, Private Brooks of the 99^th, was thrown from his horse and his foot caught in the stirrup. The Zulus who had fired into us had retired immediately afterwards but another party on a hill across a kloof about 300 yards distant shouted out there is a man down. About twelve men immediately returned to assegai Private Brooks, who could not yet get his foot free. I had been sitting on my horse which was very fidgety, waiting for Private Brooks to mount.

When I saw these men return, they were only a few yards from him; it being impossible to see them before, owing to the length of the grass. When I charged in among them and drove them back, I put Private Brooks on my horse as he was a good deal shaken by being dragged about. After placing him under cover, I returned and picked up his rifle and helmet, and shortly afterwards more mounted men coming up the party of Zulus on the hilltop ceased firing and retired.

– Account of Captain Charles Shervinton, from Fearful Hard Times by Ian Castle and Ian Knight

 

Shervinton’s actions saved the life of Private Brooks, and certainly met the Wolseley standard for the Victoria Cross. In July 1879, he wrote an official report of the incident. His mother later petitioned both Lord Chelmsford and Colonel Pearson to recommend her son for the VC. Private Brooks even submitted a statement, ‘I feel confident that my life that day was saved by Captain Shervinton’s gallant conduct, and for which I shall forever be indebted to him.’

 

Regrettably, the campaign to award Charles Shervinton the Victoria Cross went nowhere. Colonel Pearson mentioned Shervinton’s gallantry in his despatches, stating, ‘He did us right good service and I hope he will be rewarded in some way or other’. Chelmsford’s stated that he had read the despatches, but the VC recommendation had to originate from the officer under his immediate command. Chelmsford was also back in England, having been replaced by Wolseley, and was eager to put the Zulu War behind him.

 

Following Chelmsford’s statement, Pearson could have submitted the VC petition through Wolseley. After all, Wolseley had already stepping regarding the actions of Colour Sergeant Anthony Booth at Ntombe Drift. Wolseley demanded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for Booth be rescinded and upgraded to the Victoria Cross. Yet for reasons never disclosed, Pearson refused to make any recommendation and stated there was nothing more he could do. Eshowe was the forgotten campaign of the Zulu War. The No. 1 Column, and the 1^st Division which replaced it, saw no awards for valour submitted. The battles they fought at Inyezane and Gingindlovu were the only ones where not a single Victoria Cross or Distinguished Conduct Medal was awarded.

 

Charles Shervinton later commanded a troop of Cape Mounted Rifles during the Basuto Gun War of 1880. He married in 1884, though it is unknown if he and his wife had children. He later moved to Madagascar, volunteering with the Malagasy forces in their struggles against the French. When they were defeated, the French confiscated Shervinton’s lands, leaving him impoverished. He returned to England in 1895 after twenty years abroad. His health was poor and three years later he took his own life. He sent a rather cryptic telegram to his father, simply stating "It’s all up." His father rushed to the hotel his son was staying at, finding him dead with a gunshot wound to the temple and the pistol still clutched in his hand.

 

Captain Shervinton’s actions are detailed in Fearful Hard Times by Ian Castle and Ian Knight, with cover art depicting his saving of Private Brooks by Mark Churms

 

Troop Sergeant Major Learda (Natal Native Horse) – Battle of Khambula

Little is known about the life of Learda before the war, only that he was of the Basuto people. His first name is unknown and doesn’t appear on any records or his Distinguished Conduct Medal citation. As the Basutos initially served with Colonel Dunford’s mounted No. 2 Column, Learda was likely an Isandlwana survivor. They were later redeployed north in support of Colonel Henry Evelyn Wood, VC's No. 4 Column. Learda survived a second disaster along Hlobane Mountain on 28 March 1879, where 200 indigenous and colonial troopers were killed. The following day, he and his rattled troopers made ready to support the British against the overwhelming Zulu onslaught against Khambula.

 

During the battle, Wood deployed his mounted troops under Lieutenant Colonels Redvers Buller and Cecil Russell to harass and draw the Zulu ‘Right Horn.’ Their orders were to goad the enemy into attacking prematurely before the rest of the impi was in place. The mounted troops rode forth, firing volleys into the Zulu amabutho from a range of around 300 yards. The ploy worked, and the ‘Right Horn’ attacked. After giving the order to withdraw, Lieutenant Colonel Russell’s horse panicked, and he was unable to mount. Sergeant Major Learda witnessed the officer’s peril and sprung into action. He ordered around twenty men to follow him, placing himself between Russell and the Zulus. He and his troopers kept the Zulus at bay, firing from the saddle, an extremely difficult and dangerous act. Lieutenant Edward Browne of the Imperial Mounted Infantry followed, took hold of Russell’s horse bridle, enabling him to mount. The terrified horse bolted and ran directly towards the Zulus. Browne followed and managed to guide Russell and his horse to safety. All the while, Learda and his troopers continued to lay down suppressive fire. The Basutos' actions saved the lives of both Browne and Russell.

 

For their gallantry, Browne received the Victoria Cross, Learda the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Writers at the time remarked that, if not for racial prejudice, Learda would have also received the Victoria Cross.

 

Basutos in Pursuit, by Charles Fripp

 

Troop Sergeant Major Simeon Kambula (Edendale Horse) – Skirmish along the White Mfolozi River

We know more about Simeon Kambula of the Edendale Horse. Raised at Edendale Mission, his father, Elijah Kambula, was interpreter for then-Major Anthony Durnford during the Langalibalele Rebellion in 1873. Elijah was killed during the disaster at Bushman’s Pass, where Durnford was gravely wounded and lost the use of his left arm.

 

Five years later, Simeon was appointed a sergeant within the Edendale Horse under now-Lieutenant Colonel Durnford. These were indigenous Natal warriors who were proficient riders and marksmen. At Isandlwana, with Durnford's column battling the Zulu ‘Left Horn’, Kambula returned to camp to retrieve ammunition. However, no one knew where the column’s wagons were. Attempts to retrieve cartridges from the 24^th’s supplies were rebuffed by a bandsman who was left to guard the wagons. There were also concerns as to whether the longer rifle cartridges could even by fired by the troopers' carbines. As the battle was lost, Kambula offered to aid the bandsman in escaping, but the soldier declared he could not leave his post. Kambula and the survivors escaped down what became known as Fugitives Trail. They crossed the uMzinyathi River, then forming into skirmish lines and firing suppressive volleys at pursuing Zulus with what remained of their ammunition. They may very well be the same riders mentioned by Lieutenant (later General) Horace Smith-Dorrien, who he credited with saving his life.

Like the NNH, the Edendale survivors were deployed north to Colonel Wood’s No. 4 Column. They distinguished themselves during multiple skirmishes, the disastrous Battle of Hlobane on 28 March, and the decisive victory at Khambula. Kambula was now a troop sergeant major, serving with Lieutenant Colonel Redvers Buller’s mounted wing. During the second invasion, the mounted troops remained active, scouting the route to Ulundi for Wood’s Flying Column and the reorganised 2^nd Division under Major General Edward Newdigate.

On the morning of 3 July 1879, Buller's mounted troops crossed the White Mfolozi River, reconnoitring the final approach to Ulundi. During the fighting, an officer from the Frontier Light Horse lost his mount and was nearly killed. Kambula retrieved him, carrying him away while under intense enemy fire. The officer wasn't named, but may have been Lieutenant Charles Raw, notable as the man who first discovered the Zulu impi north of Isandlwana back in January. Kambula's officer commanding, Captain William Cochrane, also an Isandlwana survivor, recommended him for the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

 

The citation read:

This non-commissioned officer has also set an excellent example to the men of the Troop, of courage and ready obedience under fire. At the White Mfolozi River on the occasion of Lieutenant Colonel Buller's reconnaissance towards Ulundi, the day before the Battle of Nodwengo (Ulundi), Simeon Kambula saved the life of an officer of the Frontier Light Horse, by bringing him out of a very heavy fire behind him on his horse. He was present at Isandlwana, Hlobane, Khambula, and Ulundi, besides many smaller actions, and has taken part in every patrol of the mounted Troops of the Flying Column, since 14 March 1879.

 

Reverend Owen Watkins recorded that Kambula, ‘In due course received the Distinguished Conduct Medal from the hands of an English general at a grand parade of the troops.’ He does not name the officer, though as they were in Durban, it may have been Major General Henry Crealock, or perhaps even General Wolseley. Watkins furthers states, ‘Had he been a white man, he would have received the Victoria Cross.’

 

It should be noted that during the same action Captain Cecil D'Arcy went to retrieve a badly wounded trooper, battling against a frightened horse, his charge's injuries, and the attacking Zulus. D'Arcy badly injured his back, the trooper fell from his horse, and was subsequently killed. D'Arcy received the Victoria Cross for his actions, even though as Wolseley later mentioned in his diary, he'd failed to save the trooper. Kambula successfully saved the life of an officer, yet had to content himself with the DCM.

Simeon Kambula appears briefly in the 1979 film, Zulu Dawn, portrayed by Sydney Chama. As the camp is overrun, Colonel Durnford gives him his horse and says, ‘Sergeant, you’re to ride back to Natal. When you see the bishop tell him, that is, tell his daughter, that I was obliged to remain here with my infantry. Now go. God go with you.’  Though his name is not mentioned during the film, he is listed in the credits as "Sergeant Kambula."

 

Troopers of the Natal Native Horse

 

Private Albert Page (1/13^th Somerset Light Infantry) – Battle of Khambula

Albert Page was a soldier with 1^st Battalion, 13^th Somerset Light Infantry, assigned to Colonel Wood's northern No. 4 Column. In a contrast to the layout at Isandlwana, Wood’s camp at Khambula commanded the high ground, with visibility for miles. The one blind spot was just east of the main laager, south of the artillery redoubt. Here, a ravine below the southern cliffs could allow the Zulus to approach within a couple hundred yards unobserved. Wood emplaced a company from the 13^th Somerset to fortify the cattle kraal overlooking the ravine.

 

During the battle, with the Zulus kept at bay on all other fronts, regiments of the ‘Left Horn’ charged out of the ravine towards the kraal. A close-quarters melee ensued, with the defenders in danger of being overrun. Wood saw the threat and ordered the company to retire back the main defences. Four of the company were killed, including the colour sergeant, with seven wounded helped to safety. Allied warriors from a regiment called Wood’s Irregulars were also heavily engaged with the Zulus. As they retired to the laager, one of their Swazi warriors was brought down by a pair of thrown assegais to the legs. Page, who’d already reached the defences, rushed back into the fray, and carried the stricken warrior to safety. All the while, both were subjected to close-range Zulu musketry and flung assegais.

 

Private Albert Page was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions. Having saved the life of a stricken ally, at great risk to his own, certainly qualified for the Victoria Cross. Racial prejudice played a role again, this time with the saved rather than the saviour. An unwritten, though quietly agreed upon rule, was if one saved the life of an officer, they would definitely receive the VC (albeit that was not the case with Simeon Kambula!). The life of a regular army soldier would probably earn one the VC. Saving a colonial volunteer might earn the VC, while saving an indigenous ally would not. That Albert Page even received the DCM speaks to his company’s leadership. His name was mentioned in despatches, with his chain-of-command insisting he be recognised for his bravery, even if higher echelons would never approve the VC.

 

Battle of Khambula, by Melton Prior

 

D Company, 1/13^th Somerset Light Infantry during the Zulu War

The awarding of military medals has been, and will always be subjective. Prejudices, personal biases, and simple luck play a role. There are numerous instances, too many to list, of soldiers who should have been awarded the Victoria Cross. Charles Shervinton, Learda, Simeon Kambula, and Albert Page are among the many who either received a lesser award, or nothing at all.

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