A LOSS
by Graham "Sapper" Mason

Most people who know anything about the Zulu War of 1879 will always start with, "I bet there is not a person on this planet who has not seen 'Zulu'". It was the start for me of a fascinating journey of discovery. Great entertainment but not very accurate, as we all agree. Remember the foppish portrayal of James Langley Dalton, the magic bullet scene where Fred Hitch (played by David Kiernan) was shot in the leg and not in the shoulder!.. and so on. We can thank Stanley Baker (not Baxter as I keep on emphasising in articles) for awakening so much interest in that campaign. I admire Baker as an actor but when my time is over I will ask him why so many changes from the facts, Stanley?

In the remake (it has been over 40 years now) I would include "Ammunition Smith" who handed out ammunition but would not dispatch any Zulu attacking the drift with sword, rifle or bayonet but offered a prayer to each warrior felled. One scene I would look at in great detail is the hospital scene when at the height of the confrontation we see the malingering Pte Hook breaking into the medical cabinet of Surgeon Reynolds, grabbing a bottle of medicinal brandy and with smoke-filled and blackened eyes swallowing a great draught of the contents. Great drama, to say the least, as we see Pte Hook trying to save his tormentor Sgt Maxfield, who was delirious with fever.

The companion of Hook in that famous scene exhorts Hook as to the results of his actions, reminding him that it is a flogging offence, but Hook drinks on regardless and in the film proceeds to win his later-awarded Victoria Cross. He is called "Hooky" by his comrades and, if memory serves me correctly, after the fighting is over Michael Caine turns to Baker and says "It's at times like this I wish I was a damn ranker like Hook". Do you remember it was Caine who was first considered to play the role of Hook but when Cy Enfield saw Caine walking with his hands folded behind his back Enfield knew he had his Lt Bromhead and the role went to a black-haired actor who went by the name of David Geeves: David Who, you ask? Well, perhaps we had better refer to him by his more well known name we grew to admire in many roles but in particular of his portrayal in 'Zulu' of the aforementioned Pte Alfred Henry Hook. Of course we are talking about James BOOTH.

As a member of the 1879 Group uniform section and as current archivist I was at Woolwich in London last August as part of a re-enactment setup called 'Firepower'. The same Woolwich where the body of the Prince Imperial was at rest prior to his burial. Two special guests were also there by invitation, one was Joe Powell who played the role of Sgt Windridge, the Senior Sgt at Rorke's Drift. The other guest was one James BOOTH looking hale and hearty. James admitted age was at last catching up with him but signed many autographs and had many a picture taken. He was impressed with the redcoats on display and the magnificent setup at Woolwich Arsenal, home of the artillery in the UK.

As is well known now, the 1879 Group aim, amongst other things, is to dedicate at least once a year the grave of a man who participated in the Anglo Zulu War of 1879. Last year in Kent at a place called Bredgar, the family home of Pte Ashley Goatham 24th Foot who fell at Isandlwana on his 24th birthday, the group dedicated the restored monument to Ashley and, in a hailstorm, a grand day was had by all who attended. Nominations for 2005 were put forward and to the fore was Hook. No sooner was the 2004 dedication event over, once the grave of HOOK was decided upon, the work was started for the 2005 dedication. Even at this point in time arrangements are underway to ensure a gala day. Hook died in early 1905 and it was thought that 3 September would be the day to have this ceremony, 100 years after Hook, in Gloucestershire. In the film Hook as portrayed by James Booth is shown as a drinker and malingerer which research has shown to be far from the actual truth. Hook in real life was teetotal and a temperate, modest man, unlike his character in the film. The Hook family were upset when they saw their ancestor portrayed in this fashion.

The second week of August 2005 had barely started when I was informed that James requested permission to attend the ceremony on 3 Sept. I understand that he wanted to clear it with the families (Hook married twice and had children with both wives, Comfort Jones & Ada Taylor) to attend and to let all gathered know that he was playing a role as per contract but had learnt the truth about Alfred and had fully intended to put this across at the dedication. Sadly fate had other plans and on 11 August James passed away just 5 days after the birthday of the man he portrayed in the film 'Zulu'. I am sure that had James attended the ceremony he would have spoken to the descendants of Alfred as they no doubt would have wanted him to speak to them. If you are in Churcham, Glocs at 3pm you will have missed the dedication because at 2pm on Saturday 3 September in St Andrews Churchyard, Churcham, the ceremony would have started. If you can be there, do so, as it will be a unique event, never to be repeated.

"STAND TO! HERE THEY COME AGAIN!"

"Sapper"

Graham Mason - Anglo-Zulu War Researcher.

Rededication Service of the Grave of Alfred Hook V.C. on the Centenary of his Death
At St Andrew's Church, Churcham, Gloucs.
3rd September 2005 at 14:00 (2pm)

After the entry of the Colours and Clergy, the congregation is asked to stand whilst the Colours of the 2nd Battalion are presented at the graveside and the prime dignitary says a few words of introduction.

[The Service then follows]

"They shall not grow old,
As we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun
And in the morning
We will remember them