On this day in History
Today is the day the Battle of Rorkes Drift commenced.One of our local residents served there. Private Fredrick Hitch VC. resident of Cranbrook Road Chiswick."Frederick Hitch married in 1880 and became a horse-and-cab driver in London, later graduating to motorised taxis. The Rorke’s Drift hero died of pneumonia at the age of 56 on 6th January 1913 and 1,000 London taxis joined his funeral procession to Chiswick cemetery, where he was buried with full military honours on 11th January – the 34th anniversary of Chelmsford’s advance into Zululand in 1879. The London Taxi Association later struck a special Frederick Hitch Medal to be awarded for bravery. Chard and Bromhead were also among those who won Victoria Crosses."
Adrian Irving ● 1d1 Comments