Zulu War

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.