Gonville Bromhead
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Major Gonville Bromhead VC (1845-1891) was a British Army officer and recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valor in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to members of the British armed forces[1][2]. He is best known for his role in the defense of Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War.
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Early Life
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Gonville Bromhead was born on August 29, 1845, in Versailles, France[1][2]. He was the youngest child of Major Sir Edmund de Gonville Bromhead, 3rd Baronet, and his wife Judith[1]. Bromhead came from a notable military family; his great-grandfather fought under Major General James Wolfe at Quebec, and his grandfather served in the American Revolutionary War[1]. The family resided at Thurlby Hall in Thurlby, Lincolnshire, and Bromhead was educated at Magnus Grammar School in Newark-on-Trent[1][2].
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Military Career
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Bromhead entered the 24th Regiment of Foot as an ensign in 1867 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1871[1][2]. His battalion was deployed to southern Africa in 1878, where he served in the Ninth Cape Frontier War and the Anglo-Zulu War[1][2]. Bromhead's most famous military engagement was the defense of Rorke's Drift on January 22-23, 1879, where a small British garrison of 139 soldiers successfully repulsed an assault by approximately 4,000 Zulu warriors[1][2]. For his bravery and leadership during this battle, Bromhead was awarded the Victoria Cross[1][2].
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Bromhead continued his military career, serving in the Third Anglo-Burmese War and being promoted to major in 1883[1][2]. He spent most of the remainder of his career in South Asia and died of typhoid fever on February 9, 1891, in Allahabad, India[1][2].
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Impact on Newark
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Gonville Bromhead's connection to Newark is primarily through his education at Magnus Grammar School[1][2]. His legacy is commemorated in Newark, where one of the school houses at Magnus Grammar School is named after him[3]. Bromhead's heroic actions at Rorke's Drift and his distinguished military career have made him a notable historical figure, and his story continues to be remembered and celebrated in Newark and beyond[1][2].
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References
[1] Gonville Bromhead - Wikipedia
[2] Gonville BROMHEAD - Masonic Great War Project
[3] Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead V C (1845-1891) Hero of the zulu wars
