- George Smith (chaplain)
Reverend George Smith,
Army Chaplain , was born inDocking inNorfolk onJanuary 8 1845 . 'Padre' George Smith served as amissionary inSouth Africa from 1870.However, he is best remembered for his part in the famous defence of
Rorke's Drift during theZulu War of 1877–79 which won him the praise of several officers involved in that action in their reports. As an assistant army chaplain, and therefore a non-combatant, Smith played a supportive role in the defence, where he distributed ammunition to the soldiers of the24th Regiment of Foot (2nd Warwickshires) who were manning the barricades. Smith was not portrayed in the 1964 filmZulu by which most people know of the battle.After the Zulu War he was often referred to as "Ammunition Smith". As an assistant army chaplain, and therefore technically a civilian, Smith was not entitled to receive a campaign medal or other award for his part in the defence. Instead he was offered, and accepted, a position as a regular army chaplain.
After
South Africa he served as Chaplain in several other wars including theBattle of Tel el-Kebir inEgypt , the war against theDervishes in theSudan and during theNile expedition in Egypt.Padre Smith also served in many posts in the
UK , and on his retirement he resided in the Sumner's Hotel in Preston, where he died on 26/27th. November 1918 from bronchial trouble which had afflicted him for six months. After a small military ceremony, he was buried in the Church of England plot in New Hall Lane cemetery inPreston ,Lancashire .Canon William Lummis 's 1978 book 'Padre George Smith of Rorke's Drift' is a detailed account into the life of Smith and his part in the action atRorke's Drift on January 22–23 1879.In
Alphonse de Neuville 's famous 1880 painting 'The Defence of Rorke's Drift' (right) Padre Smith is depicted to the right of centre (recognisable in his blue tunic and red beard) distributing ammunition to the defenders.Selected sources:
* Padre George Smith of Rorke's Drift by
Canon William Lummis , Wensum Books (Norwich) Ltd , 1978, ISBN 0-9036-1921-0External links
* [http://www.rorkesdriftvc.com/defenders/smith_account.htm Padre Smith's account of the Battle of Rorke's Drift]
* [http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:d9InDPCax2gJ:mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/historyfile/zulu_defenders.htm+george+smith+rorke%27s+drift&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=3&gl=uk Padre George Smith on the Rorke's Drift Roll of Honour]
* [http://209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:RBDNkaQx6coJ:www.1879memorials.com/othermems/rddefs.html+george+smith+rorke%27s+drift&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=10&gl=uk The Defenders of Rorke's Drift]
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