you are currently viewing: Pot Pourri: The other Victoria Cross at Isandhlwana
 
 

 
 

The other Victoria Cross at Isandhlwana
By Alan Critchley

On 22nd. January 1879, three Victoria Crosses were earned in the battle following the attack by the Zulus at Isandhlwana. Private Samual Wassall and Lts. Melvill and Coghill (posthumous), following their actions at Fugitives' Drift on the Buffalo River.

The other VC who was killed at Isandhlwana was Private William Griffiths, 2-24/1056, born in 1841 in Co. Roscommon in Ireland. He was awarded his VC for his action on 7 May 1867 with four others when they risked their lives manning a boat and proceeding through dangerous surf to rescue some of their comrades who formed part of an expedition sent to the Island of Andaman. His medals are kept at the RRW museum at Brecon and his name is on the Memorial Plaque in Brecon Cathedral.

Private Griffiths is buried along with his mates somewhere on the battlefield of Isandhlwana.

Back