A medal awarded to a hero of the famed battle depicted in the film Zulu, starring Michael Caine, has sold for £40,000.
The prize was bestowed on Private Peter Judge, who took part in the defence of Rorke’s Drift.
The battle took place in Zululand, South Africa, in 1879, when 150 British soldiers held off thousands of Zulu warriors laying siege to a missionary station.
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It was famously depicted in the 1964 movie Zulu, starring Caine and fellow British actor Stanley Baker.
The Zulu War medal belonged to a collector who acquired it over 30 years ago.
He took it to an antique dealer, War and Son, for valuation as reported by What’s The Jam.
“A local collector of Zulu War medals and memorabilia visited the War and Son military antiques store and modestly offered a single medal for sale,” a spokesman said ahead of the sale.
“The collector had acquired this medal over 30 years ago with the long-held belief that it once belonged to a soldier of the 24th Foot.
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“Present at the famous defence of Rorke’s Drift on 22 January 1879, immortalised by the 1964 film Zulu.
“The War and Son team were delighted to confirm that the medal recipient, Peter Judge, was indeed present during the defence of the Rorke’s Drift Mission Station.
“And listed on the rollcall of Lieutenant John Chard, played in the film by Stanley Baker.
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“He served in “B” Company of Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, played in the film by Michael Caine.
“Additional research was undertaken, showing that Judge survived the battle.
“And was one of the men who received an address by the Mayor of Durban for his bravery at Rorke’s Drift, having been awarded a good shooting prize by the regiment.
“Judge himself was then able to send a remittance of £1 to his wife, returning to England on 29 Jan 1883.”
The medal was snapped up by a collector from Hertfordshire.
After the sale, a spokesman for War and Son added: “We’re delighted.
“It went to a collector who had wanted a Rorke’s Drift medal for many years.”
War and Son is run by father and son duo Dave and Steve Nuwar in Leominster, Herefordshire, who have over 30 years of experience between them.
The pair have appeared on the popular TV show Bargain Hunt and their own show, History Hunters.
The Battle of Rorke’s Drift was a battle in the Anglo-Zulu War.
Around 150 British and colonial troops defended the station against attacks by 3,000 to 4,000 Zulu warriors.
The attacks by the Zulu on Rorke’s Drift came very close to overwhelming the much smaller garrison but were consistently repelled.
Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to individual defenders, along with a number of other decorations and honours.
