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Zulu War art print of Private A H Hook
at the Defence of Rorke's Drift in Zulu War art print Pinned Like Rats in
a Hole by military artist Mark Churms. Zulu War art prints published by
Cranston Fine Arts.
Henry Hook
 | The heroic conduct of Private Henry Hook on January 22nd 1879,
and his superhuman efforts in saving the wounded from the
burning hospital earned him his VC. |
 | He was born at Churcham, Gloucestershire, and served for five
years in the Monmouthshire Militia before joining the 24th
Regiment. He served through the Kaffir War 1877-8 before his
bravery at Rorke's Drift for which he was presented with the
Victoria Cross by Lord Wolseley on August 3rd 1879. He later
served in the 1st Volunteers Battalion Royal Fusiliers.
Pinned Like Rats In a Hole by Mark Churms
Depicting Private Hook and Private Williams, B Company, 2nd
Battalion, 24th Foot inside the burning hospital at Rorke's Drift, 7pm January
1879. At about 6 pm the Zulus first forced their way into the hospital
building where some thirty patients were defended by a handful of
able-bodied men. A running fight ensued as the patients were evacuated
from room to room, a desperate struggle made all the more terrible when
the Zulus set fire to the thatched roof. Here Private Alfred Henry Hook
holds Zulus of the uThulwana regiment at bay whilst Private John
Williams helps a patient escape; Hook received a head wound when a spear
struck off his helmet.
Private Alfred Henry Hook VC by Stuart Liptrot
Second Battalion, 24th Regiment, Rorkes Drift 1879.
Private
Hook and Private Williams, Burning Hospital, Rorkes Drift. Oil
Study by Mark Churms The original oil study for the larger painting of Pinned
Like Rats in a Hole, part of the Rorkes Drift series by Mark Churms. |
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