24th Foot Colour Sergeant Taking Role
At 17, Frank Edward Bourne enlisted in the army on 18 December 1872. Four years later he was promoted to Colour Sergeant, becoming the youngest NCO of this rank in the entire British Army earning him the nickname “The Kid.” On 22-23 January, Bourne was part of the garrison at Rorke’s Drift which held off a sizable portion of the Zulu army. Bourne, who was now an NCO in B Company, 24th Regiment of Foot, helped organize the defense at the mission station and field hospital until relief arrived. He received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for “outstanding coolness and courage” during the battle and was the last surviving defender from Rorke’s Drift, dying on 9 May 1945 (the day after VE Day), at the age of 90.
Matte Finish