James Langley Dalton

His brave defence helped save the post against Zulu attacks.

James Langley Dalton was born in London around 1831. He worked in a stationer's shop before enlisting in the 85th Regiment in November 1849. His army career took him to Mauritius, the Cape Colony and Canada. He transferred to the Commissariat and Transport Department in 1862 and rose to quartermaster sergeant. He also served with the Red River expedition in 1870.

After taking a pension in 1871, he settled in South Africa. He volunteered for further service during the frontier fighting of 1877 and was appointed an acting assistant commissary. His experience in supply and administration proved especially important when he was posted to Rorke's Drift before the Zulu invasion of Natal.

On 22 January 1879 news of the destruction of the British camp at Isandlwana reached the post. Dalton helped persuade the defenders to remain and organise a fortified position rather than attempt a vulnerable retreat. He played an important part in preparing the barricades and directing the defence as a much larger Zulu force attacked.

During the fighting he continued assisting the men and their supply of ammunition. He was severely wounded in the shoulder but survived the overnight battle. His Victoria Cross recognised the practical leadership and courage that helped make the defence possible. Major General Hugh Clifford presented it at Fort Napier in January 1880.

Dalton returned briefly to Britain and retirement, then undertook further service in Egypt in 1883–84. Back in South Africa he tried gold mining in the Transvaal. Late in 1886 he went to Port Elizabeth, where he stayed with an old friend at the Grosvenor Hotel. He died there in January 1887 and was buried in the town's Roman Catholic cemetery.

Victoria Cross citation

For his conspicuous gallantry during the attack on Rorke's Drift Post by the Zulus on the night of the 22nd January, 1879, when he actively superintended the work of defence, and was amongst the foremost of those who received the first attack at the corner of the hospital, where the deadliness of his fire did great execution, and the mad rush of the Zulus met its first check, and where by his cool courage he saved the life of a man of the Army Hospital Corps by shooting the Zulu, who, having seized the muzzle of the man's rifle, was in the act of assegaing him. This Officer, to whose energy much of the defence of the place was due, was severely wounded during the contest, but still continued to give the same example of cool courage.