John Chard

He organised a garrison to withstand repeated enemy attacks.

John Rouse Merriott Chard was born at Plymouth on 21 December 1847. After education in Plymouth and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, he received a Royal Engineers commission in July 1868. His early service included dockyard work in Bermuda, fortifications in Malta and engineering duties at British stations.

He sailed for southern Africa with the 5th Field Company in October 1878. On 22 January 1879 he was working at the Buffalo River crossing near Rorke's Drift when news arrived of the defeat at Isandlwana. Senior to Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, he assumed command of the small garrison.

Chard helped organise the improvised defences around the mission station, using mealie bags and other stores to shorten and strengthen the perimeter. Throughout the night of 22-23 January, he directed the defence against repeated Zulu attacks and adjusted the position as buildings burned and sections became untenable. The garrison held until relief arrived.

His leadership earned the Victoria Cross. After recovering from illness, he rejoined the engineers and served at Ulundi in July. Sir Garnet Wolseley presented his decoration that month. On his return to Britain, Queen Victoria received him at Balmoral and gave him a signet ring.

Chard continued a professional engineer's career rather than leaving the army after his decorated action. He served in Cyprus, at Preston and in Singapore, where he became commanding Royal Engineer. He was promoted colonel in January 1897 and subsequently held an appointment in Scotland.

Throat cancer forced him to retire later that year. Unmarried, he went to live with his brother, the rector of Hatch Beauchamp in Somerset. He died there on 1 November 1897 and was buried in the parish churchyard. Queen Victoria sent a wreath to his funeral.

Official Victoria Cross citation

Royal Engineers Lieutenant (now Captain and Brevet Major) J. R. M. Chard 2nd Battalion 24th Regiment Lieutenant (now Captain and Brevet Major) G. Bromhead For their gallant conduct at the defence of Rorke’s Drift, on the occasion of the attack by the Zulus, on the 22nd and 23rd January, 1879. The Lieutenant-General commanding the troops reports that, had it not been for the fine example and excellent behaviour of these two Officers under the most trying circumstances, the defence of Rorke’s Drift post would not have been conducted with that intelligence and tenacity which so essentially characterised it. The Lieutenant-General adds, that its success must, in a great degree, be attributable to the two young Officers who exercised the Chief Command on the occasion in question.

Supplement to The London Gazette of 2 May 1879. 2 May 1879, Numb. 24717, p. 3177