Rorke's Drift Appreciation Society
The society was formed in 1996 by a small number of avid fans of the film ‘Zulu’, hence the name. It was decided to hold an inaugural dinner on the evening of the 118th anniversary of the battle at Rorke’s Drift, 22nd January 1997. There were 15 original members present, everyone’s special menu was signed by all 15 present, and the film ‘Zulu’ was shown after dinner. The dinner is now an annual event held at Oxford Street, and usually there is an after dinner guest speaker on a subject with a military theme.
In the weeks following the dinner it was decided to arrange the society’s first trip; a weekend to Brecon in Wales, during which we would visit the South Wales Borderers’ museum and view the regiment’s original colours which hang in the cathedral. The trip was originally intended to be a 3-day affair but, due to the burial of Princess Diana on the same weekend in September 1997, it was cut to just 2 days. A small party of 9 made the journey and after an extremely enjoyable time sowed the seeds for the longer trips that have now taken place every year since. It was also decided to open up the society to include people who might like to accompany the tours but who had no real interest in military history. We like to think that everyone who comes on one of our trips enjoys the mixture of battlefields, monuments, cemeteries and general scenery.
Each trip is centred on a significant historical battle or campaign and a suitable base is found. With the help of Yorks Coaches who arrange the travel and hotel, every trip now regularly takes place during the week of the Spring Bank Holiday, usually from Sunday to Friday. The normal party numbers up to 35 people.
Our trips have seen us stay in St Omer (The Somme), St Mere Eglise (Normandy), Brussels (Waterloo), Verdun (twice), Ypres, Arras, St Quentin, Arnhem and Bayeux. We have also organised day trips including one to the Army Museum in Chelsea and an evening trip to the ‘Carpetbaggers’ Museum at Harrington. If you want to read about the last trip when we stayed in Bayeux and toured the Normandy D-Day beaches and battle sites, take a look at the report contained in the Association’s Magazine which can be found elsewhere on this website.
If you would like more information about our society please either write to us at the Oxford Street address or E-mail the address on the ‘Contact Us’ page.