On the 11th January 1879, a British Force under the command of Lord Chelmsford crossed the Buffalo River into Zululand.  A small garrison was left at Rorke's Drift.  The force consisted of 1,600 British troops, mainly from the 1st and 2nd Battalions 24th Regiment, and 2,500 native soldiers.  A tented camp was established at Isandhlwana Hill.  At 4am on the morning of 22nd January, Lord Chelmsford took half his force to reconnoitre to southeast in search of main Zulu army.  Just after 8am a force of 25,000 Zulu warriors attacked the remainder of the force in the camp.  Surprised, outnumbered by more than six to one, in a position offering little defence, the defenders were soon overpowered and a dreadful slaughter ensued.  A few men escaped and re-crossed the Buffalo River to safety. Victoria Crosses were awarded to Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill, who saved the Queen's Colour of the 1st/24th and to Private Wassell, 90th Foot who saved a comrade while escaping across the Buffalo River (This text is reproduced under the image of the print DHM1111 and also DHM084A)  Private Samuel Wassall of the 80th Regiment of Foot  (Stafford shire Volunteers) at Fugitives Drift by Jason Askew. Private Wassall, whilst escaping the debacle of Isandhlwana, was being pursued by Zulu warriors as he made his way down the Buffalo River, the border between Zululand and Natal. Wassall rode his Basuto pony into the river, but upon hearing a cry for help and seeing a man from his own regiment drowning, he turned and made his way back to the Zulu side of the river, Quickly dismounting he tied his horse to a tress, swam into the river and rescued a private called Westwood as the Zulus were sweeping along the riverbank just at the moment the Zulus rushed forward. For his act of valour in the face of the enemy Private Samuel Wassall was awarded the first of the Zulu War Victoria Crosses. Isandhlwana 22nd January 1879 by Stuart Liptrot. Last Stand of the 24th Regiment at the Battle of Isandhlwana by Simon Smith Battle of Isandhlwana, 22nd January 1879 by Brian Palmer  Last stand of the 24th South Wales Borderers at Isandhlwana during the Zulu War. The Last of the 24th by Stuart Liptrot  At the end of the Battle of Isandhlwana, the last few soldiers of the South Wales Borderers, 24th Regiment of Foot, hold out till their last rounds of ammunition in the foothills of the mountain. Battle of Isandhlwana by Charles Fripp.  Last stand of the 24th Regiment of Foot (South Wales Borderers) during the Zulu War, 22nd January 1879.

Last Sleep of the Brave by Alphonse De Neuville Scouts find the bodies of Melville and Coghill with the colours nearby. In fact, the Colours were lost in the river and were found later, both men were posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Saving the Queens Colours at the Battle of Isandhlwana by Alphonse De Neuville  Depicting Lieutenant T. Melville attempting to Save the Queens Colours of the 1/24th at the Battle of Isandhlwana. Isandlwana 22nd January 1879 - The Death of Private W Griffiths VC by Jason Askew Isandlwana 22nd January 1879 - Saving The Guns by Jason Askew Isandlwana 1879 by Stuart Liptrot Battle of Isandhlwana 22nd January 1879 (Major Figures of the Battle) by Stuart Liptrot