Gert Adendorff
Gert Wilhelm Adendorff was a member of the Natal Native Contingent notable for being the only soldier on the British side present at both the Battle of Isandlwana and the Battle of Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 made memorable in the film Zulu. Wikipedia
Controversy
Private Henry Hook VC verified Adendorff was present during the Battle of Rorke's Drift
The author Donald Morris in his The Washing of the Spears made the unverified claim that Adendorff was not present at Rorke's Drift, saying that he fled early in the battle in the same way he had fled Isandlwana. Morris imputes cowardice to Adendorff, saying he must have left Isandlwana earlier than he claimed to have arrived at Rorke's Drift by 3.15 pm, and that as the other survivors of the Natal Native Contingent fled with the approach of the Zulus so too must have Adendorff. The imputation of cowardice to Adendorff is unfair as he was a volunteer while professional soldiers such as Horace Smith-Dorrien and others thought the best option was to escape from Isandlwana and head for Helpmekaar and remain with their reputations unblemished.[6]
However, Adendorff clearly was present throughout the battle as verified by several important witnesses including Lt. John Chard VC,[8] Private Henry Hook VC and Adendorff's own account of his involvement in the battle which can be independently verified.[1] The fact that he was a stranger and was in the storehouse throughout the battle accounts for his relative invisibility.[2]
The war correspondent Charles Norris-Newman was among Lord Chelmsford’s relief column that entered Rorke's Drift the morning after the battle and recorded:
The following officers were also present at the post and rendered material aid in the defence: Dr. Reynolds, 1-24th, Lieutenant Adendorff 1-3rd NCC, Messrs. Dunne, and Dalton, of the Commissariat Department, also the Rev. Mr. Smith, Protestant Chaplain to No 3 Column
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