Warlord have along with Empress miniatures released a line of Anglo Zulu War figures. I have painted these using Acrylics with a Matt varnish. The helmets are dyed khaki brown and have no badges rather than being white as they are often seen in films as Lord Chelmsford had issued orders that all troops should do so.
Lieutenant Chard and his bugler. you'll note that as Chard was not an infantry officer his jacket is different to that of Lieutenant Bromhead. The blue highlight on the trousers has been emphasised by the flash on the camera. and is not as bright under normal light.
The Lieutenant Bromhead Figure. Armed with a rifle and no doubt ready to lead his flying squad into any Zulu break through.
Lieutenant Chard revolver in hand stands ready to repel the Zulu hordes
Commissary Dalton. During the film Zulu the this character plays very little part in the action but historically he was awarded the Victoria Cross and is named by many testimonies as a true leader and inspiration on the day of the battle. Indeed Henry Hook VC (also wrongly portrayed as a drunken miscreant) called the ex RSM the bravest man he had ever met in his written testimony.
Surgeon Reynolds of the Army Hospital Corps. I couldn't find any pictures of this chap so used the film Zulu and the dead paper hanger scene as inspiration hence the sweaty blood smear across his forehead and blooded apron, hands and shirt.
A closer look at the bugler. If you like these figures and want your own set you can find them in the on line store at www.abrushtoofar.com
1 comment:
ZULU (The battle of Rorke's Drift) by Alan Gray
"Zulu's attacking, hundreds Sir" the sentry did report
"Hundreds?" said Bromhead glass to his eye
"Dear chap you missed off a nought !"
So swiftly they came where none stood before
out of the grass they appeared
Big giant fellows muscled and lithe
Banging hide shields with short handled spears
Transfixed by the sight fear in our eyes
the Sergeant cried out "fix bayonets"
"You're British" he said "let's see some pride"
and my heart danced a jig in my tunic
The order "fire !" was barked in our ears
Brave Zulu's fell like Martyrs
Our barrels glowed with bullets expelled
and the Boer said "that's for starters"
Words rang true relentless they came
engulfing the red with the brown
The blood of the brave was spilt on that day
like seeds on hallowed ground
Night brought respite exhausted we lay
nursing our wounds like sick dogs
Zulu's had gone quick as the came
drifting away like a fog
Morning came like a thief in the night
stealing our dreams as we slept
Brave were the men who stood for the fight
so few seemed so inept
For as the sun crept over the hills
and warmed us with his breath
Ten thousand Zulu we espied swathed in silhouette
Hearts they sank from our mouths to our boots
as we looked on with intrepid fear
When an old Zulu chief from afar waved his shield
we sensed that our ending was near
Then strange things occured, did the Lord intervene
or was it a dream we implored
For the Zulu's turned from the front to the rear
leaving us lonely standing in awe
Up went a cheer gallant men wept
for the pure gift of life they received
"Bloody British" the old Boer muttered
It's heroes they've reprieved, it's heroes they've reprieved...
Hi, I wrote this a few year ago. Hope you can use it...best wishes, Alan
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