Exercise FUGITIVES SCHOLAR - February 2020

I was fortunate enough to be selected to visit Fugitives Drift early this year, an opportunity of a lifetime. Before leaving for South Africa, we reflected during the annual Rorke's Drift day commemoration in Battalion and I stood in church and read accounts of CSgt Bourne from his time on the battlefield. During those readings I didn't really realise how impressive this individual was and how my interest in the Anglo-Zulu war was about to change.

I flew from Heathrow to Johannesburg, spent a short time exploring and finally caught a coach 250 miles across South Africa to Ladysmith, another place the Regiment had fought battles in the years prior. An interesting place, hustle and bustle but not much happening. I was then kindly met by a member of staff from Fugitives Drift. The drive was about 80km to the lodge, during this journey I took in the views and tried to imagine fighting in this harsh terrain.

I arrived at the lodge and was welcomed by the team. I was gob smacked by the views, the hospitality and the historical significance the place held. I was introduced to Nicky and Doug Rattray and their partners Daisy and Micko.

After being shown to my room, I spent the afternoon exploring the museum on the lodge, looking at pictures of my forefathers fighting brave Zulu men and trying to comprehend the loss of life duri