TAXI DRIVER, V.C.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8362, 24 February 1913, Page 2

TAXI DRIVER, V.C.

DEATH OF ONE OF HEROES OF RORKB’S DRIFT. THRILLING EPISODE RECALLED. HOW PRIVATE HITCH HELPED TO REPEL ZULU ATTACK. LONDON, January 12. A splendid episode in the history of British arms is recalled by the death of Prod Hitch, V.C., who was found dead in his bed at his house in Cranbrook load., Chiswick. Deceased had latterly driven a taxicab, and was one of the men out on strike. Formerly he was a private in. the 24tb Regiment (now the South Wales Borderers), and he won his Victoria Cross in the famous defence ol liorke’s Drift in the Zulu Wap of 1879. On the morning of January 22nd of that year Colonel Durnford was ordered to move up with all his command from the post at Eorke’s Drift to the camp at isaudlwana. Some amazing blunder had been committed, for the carrying out of this order left the post, a point of great tactical importance, practically unguarded. The position was being used as a base of supplies, aud enormous quantities ol provisions and commissariat were stored there. But it had no defences. The Mission House at the poet had been converted into a hospital, and contained many wounded and convalescent soldiers. Moreover, Rorkes Drift was the key to Natal, and if it were taken only the garrison at Helpmakaar, fourteen miles distant, stood between the Colony anu the invasion of a devastating host o. savages. At Isaudlwana Colonel Dnru ford met with a tragic and historic disaster. His force was annihilated, anu the victorious Zulus pressed on tc( the apparently easy task of overwhelming tin post. Two horsemen, survivors of Durnford's command, riding for their lives, reached the drift, and warned Lieuten ant Chard, R.E., the officer in command of the post, of the oncoming danger. BISCUIT BOX BARRICADES. With the assistance of Lieutenant Bfomhead, commanding: a company of the 24th Regiment, Lieutenant Chard constructed a laager, with two barricade made of biscuit boxes and tnealie bags, and connecting the two houses of tin mission station. Thus a square was formed, and the buildings themselves were loopholed. The active garrison con sisted of eighty men. Within half an hour of the warning the Zulus appeared. At 4 pan. Private Hitch, posted as lookout on the roof of the hospital, saw a Zulu on the crest of the hill, and fired at him. This was the first shot in the action. The fatal weakness in the de fence was a gap of thirteen yards on one side of the barricade, which the garrison had no tune to complete. Unfortunately trees leading up to this spot gave cover to the attacking force, and hero the fighting was fiercest. The Zulus'advanced in circular formation, attempting to carry the barricades with a rush. At the gap they were only repelled at the point of the bayonet. For . twelve, hours this terrible assault continued. The defence of the hospital was in itself an affair of extraordinary* peieistence and heroism; The defenders, carrying the sick men, retired from room to room, fighting desperately until, with the aid of a pickaxe, they enlarged a window in the outside wall r and escaped into the laager. The pursuing Zulus had • set the thatched roof on fire, and many of them perished in its fall. When the patients were brought out they had to be carried noroes the square to the “inner lino of defence, which had, by a wise. provision, been constructed between the two outer barricades, forming a smaller square, and ultimately proving the salvation of the defenders. , - To Private Hitch and Corporal William Allen was assigned the dangerous duty of covering the communication between the hospital and the inner defence. Tak- ■ ing terrible risks, and firing rapidly, these two men kept book the enemy and enabled the wounded to be brought In. Hitch was struck by a Zulu bullet in the shoulder, which was terribly injured. But with only one hand serviceable he continued to fire; and killed three natives who had crossed the stockade. Ultimately the smoko and flames of the burning hospital attracted the attention cf Lpru Chelmsford’s column, which came to the : relief of the heroic little t garrisom Ol the defenders fifteen were killed outright, and two fatally wounded. . The Zulu losses were something like GOO. ; HITCH’S CALMNESS. Lord Chelmsford took a close personal interest in Hitch, whose simple calmness in attaching his shattered am to hK waist belt and then continuing to use his rifle with the other mad© a great Impression on his many admirers. Among the latter was also Cecil Rhodes, who when in London a few years Before his death called upon Hitch and complimented him on his bravery. Private Hitch received his vmtona Cross from the hands of Queen Victoria at Netley Hospital, in the summer of 1879. Unfortunately, it was stolen from him while acting as Commissionaire at the United Service Institution in 1901. but ICing Edward gave him a duplicate. Hitch's arm had lost’ much of its power, but he used to drive a horse-cac, of which ho was owner. Recently hu had driven a taxi. He was a native of Southgate, and was fifty-six years Old. Hitch’s death was referred to sympathetically by Mr Smith, president of the Cabdrivers’ Union, in addressing an open-air meeting at Pimlico The funeral will take place on Saturday, and it is understood that military honours wifi be accorded. At the inquest medical evidence was given that the cause of death was pleuropneumonia and heart failure, and a verdict was returned to that elle-t. Itwas stated that Hitch visited some friends at Epsom on Sunday, and thou appeared in good health. The next day ho complained of severe pain, and i>a-..ed at ay while a doctor woa being fetched. On behalf of the jury the foreman expressed sympathy with the relatives, and spoke highly Of the conduct by wh!c.i ll.ich won the Victoria Cross. The Coroner associated himself with the expressionof sympathy, and said he was Tiy Or at tho relatives should have lost one who had so distinguished a career.