A beaker linked to the lieutenant who commanded the famous British victory at Rorke’s Drift is expected to spark a bidding war at Hansons Auctioneers’ militaria sale this month <feb25>.
It likely belonged to Lieutenant John Chard from the Royal Engineers whose role was immortalised by Stanley Baker as the Victorian war hero in Zulu.
The 1964 film also propelled Michael Caine to international stardom playing his rival commanding officer Lt Gonville Bromhead.
The against-the-odds victory in South Africa in 1879 saw a small British garrison of 150 troops hold off a Zulu army of between 3,000 and 4,000.
For their roles both Chard and Bromhead were awarded the Victoria Cross along with nine others making it one of the most decorated single actions in British military history.
The 12.3cm (5in) tall beaker, which has a guide price of £800-£1,200 at the sale on February 25, was acquired by the vendor’s father 30 years ago from a retired Royal Engineers officer in Herne Bay near Kent.
Bearing the very personal inscription – My Campaign Beaker in Zululand Lt Chard R.E. – it may have been presented by Chard as a gift.
John Chard was born near Plymouth in December 1847 and joined the Royal Engineers in 1868.
Having never served in combat, the 31-year-old was sent to Africa to fix bridges across the Buffalo River near Rorke’s Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War.
When the garrison’s leader Major Henry Spalding left to seek reinforcements, he put Chard in temporary command with the famous words: “You will be in charge, though of course nothing will happen.”
Hansons Auctioneers’ militaria expert, Matt Crowson, said: “Of course as we know something big did happen and the small hospital garrison soon faced the might of a Zulu army. But it was Chard’s engineering skills and calm head that helped save the day.”
With an engineer’s mindset Chard ordered the construction of barricades using mealie bags and biscuit boxes.
As the garrison was overrun, he shortened the defence perimeter during more than 10 hours of conflict which left 17 British casualties and saw more than 500 Zulu killed.
Matt continued: “While no documentary evidence survives to confirm the beaker was present at Rorke’s Drift itself, several aspects point to its veracity.
“Horn drinking beakers were very common with 19th-century officers, as they were practical, light, unbreakable, and ideal for campaigning.”
The wording on the beaker’s plaque suggests it was given as a present to someone he knew, as there would be no reason for him to fit a plaque to a cup he was keeping, he added.
He continued: “The beaker’s utilitarian nature is also in keeping with the man himself.
“Unlike his portrayal in the film Zulu, Chard wasn’t a fiery battlefield orator, but a competent professional placed in extraordinary circumstances.
Another factor is the absence of any reference to the Victoria Cross Chard was awarded on July 6, 1879,
Matt said: “If the beaker was a later piece, it would likely have the letters “VC” on it. Without it, we know it comes from exactly the time he was serving in South Africa. The use of the word ‘Zululand’ is also consistent with the date.”
Chard took part in the Battle of Ulundi on July 4, 1879, with the battle finally breaking the Zulu Kingdom and gained his colonelcy during his final post with the Royal Engineers in Perth back in the UK in 1897.
It was during his Scottish posting that he was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue (likely as the result of his lifelong pipe smoking), causing his tongue to removed.
Sadly the diagnosis was terminal, and Colonel Chard died in 1897 aged just 49 while staying with his brother in in Somerset in 1897.
Matt said: “Chard’s calm leadership at Rorke’s Drift became emblematic of British resistance following the catastrophic defeat at Isandlwana earlier the same day. Today, genuine personal artefacts associated with Chard are rare, particularly items that speak to the everyday realities of campaign life, rather than later Victorian hero-making. To think that this humble item could have been at Rorke’s Drift is mind-blowing.”
Auction Details
Auction: The Hansons Medals, Militaria & Firearms Auction
Auction date: 25th February 2026 | 10am
Location: Hansons’ Derbyshire Saleroom
Auction contact: [email protected]
Catalogue/bidding: www.hansonslive.co.uk | www.the-saleroom.com
