Battle of Rorke's Drift soldier's medals sell at auction
A pair of medals that once belonged to one of the last survivors of the famous Battle of Rorke's Drift have sold at auction.
Alfred Saxty was just 22 when, on 22 January 1879, he and around 150 British troops faced up to 4,000 Zulu warriors in one of the most famous battles in British military history, which was later immortalised in the Michael Caine film Zulu.
His pair of campaign medals sold for a hammer price of £22,000 at Noonans Mayfair.
The medals were being sold by a collector and were purchased by a private client with strong African roots and who has visited the battle site of Rorke's Drift.
Speaking after the sale, Christopher Mellor-Hill, head of client liaison at Noonans auction house, 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.
"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 and, in fact, Saxty was promoted to sergeant the day after the defence.
"Medals linked to this conflict always attract substantial attention," he added.
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