Medals awarded to British soldier who was part of 1879 Battle of Rorke's Drift which was immortalised in Michael Caine film Zulu go on sale for £20,000
- Corporal Alfred Saxty was in the 150-strong British garrison that defied all odds
- The 22-year-old was promoted to the rank of Sergeant the day after the battle
Medals from one of the last-known survivors of the legendary Battle of Rorke's Drift - immortalised in the film Zulu - will go on sale next month.
The medals of Alfred Saxty, who was just 22 at the time of the famous battle on January 22 1879, are expected to fetch up to £20,000.
Saxty was one of just over 150 British and colonial troops who bravely defended the station of Rorke's Drift in South Africa.
They fought off up to 4,000 Zulu warriors in what is still recognised as one of the most famous battles in British Military history.
His campaign medals from his South African and Burmese campaigns will go on sale at auction house Noonans' sale of Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria next month.
Saxty's campaign medals from his South African and Burmese campaigns will go on sale (pictured: front and back of the two medals)
The medals of Anglo-Zulu war veteran Alfred Saxty (pictured far left with other Rorke's Drift survivors) will go on sale and are expected to fetch up to £20,000
Saxty, who served as a Corporal in 'B' Company of 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot, was one of the 'last few survivors' of the battle, which has since been the subject of several films; most notably the 1964 film Zulu, starring Michael Caine.
the soldiers were awarded 11 Victoria Crosses for their efforts
After surviving the notorious battle, the very next day Saxty was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
He later served in Burma and India and was eventually discharged in February 1895 before dying in Newport, Wales, where he lived with his sister, in 1936, aged 77.
Christopher Mellor-Hill, Head of Client Liaison at Noonans, explained why his pair of campaign medals from South Africa and Burma were expected to fetch a high price.
He said: 'Alfred Saxty of 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot served as a Corporal in 'B' Company at the defence, and was one of the last few survivors, of Rorke's Drift.
Sir Michael Caine
Documentation relating to Alfred Saxty, who had a military career spanning from 1876 to 1895
What happened at Rorke's Drift? How 150 British soldiers held off 4,000 Zulu warriors in 1879 battle
On January 11, 1879, a British force commanded by Lieutenant-General Lord Chelmsford invaded Zululand.
From 22 to 23 January, on the bank of the Buffalo River in Natal Province, South Africa a 140-strong British garrison successfully defended the Rorke's Drift mission station.
The British garrison was commanded by Lieutenant John Chard, Royal Engineers and Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead of the 24 Foot.
The Zulus were commanded by Prince Dabulamanzi kaMapande.
Lt Chard was the commanding officer and organised the epic defence which saw them defy all odds to see off the 4,000 fierce Zulu warriors.
Rorke's Drift inspired the 1964 Hollywood blockbuster starring Stanley Baker and Michael Caine
For 12 hours the British repelled the spear-carrying tribesmen with accurate shooting and brutal hand-to-hand combat.
The Zulus, known for their bravery and ferocity, were eventually forced to retreat with 350 of their number killed compared to 17 British.
The defensive British force was rewarded by Queen Victoria's government with no fewer than 11 Victoria Crosses.
The battle was part of the wider Anglo-Zulu war took place during 1879.
'He was just 22 years old when he was involved in one of the most famous battles in British military history, which saw just over 150 British and colonial troops defend the South African hospital against attacks by 3,000 to 4,000 Zulu warriors in January 1879.
'In fact, Saxty was promoted to Sergeant the day after the defence. Medals linked to this conflict always attract substantial attention.'
Saxty was born at Buckland Dinham, near Frome in Somerset, and enlisted for 25 Brigade at Newport, Monmouthshire in September 1876, aged 19.
He was posted to the 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot at Brecon two days later and served in South Africa from 1 February 1878 to 12 January 1880, during the Anglo-Zulu War, fought between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom in 1879.
Britain eventually emerged victorious from the conflict, ending Zulu dominance in the region of southern Africa.
Saxty, along with 150 fellow British and colonial comrades, successfully defended the mission station of Rorke's Drift against sustained attacks from between 3,000 and 4,000 Zulu warriors over 12 hours of fierce fighting.
After seven months of service in the Mediterranean, Saxty's regiment moved to India in August 1880 and served in Burma between May 1886 and January 1887, before returning to India again.
After his service in the Burma campaign, Saxty re-engaged for the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment at Madras in October 1887, 'for such term as shall complete 21 years' service.'
He transferred to the 2nd Battalion of that regiment on New Year's Day 1888 and then transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on July 14 1891.
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