George Smith (chaplain) facts for kids
Padre George Smith (born January 8, 1845 – died November 26, 1918) was an army chaplain. He is famous for his role in the Battle of Rorke's Drift during the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879. This battle led to eleven Victoria Crosses being awarded for bravery.
George Smith was born in Docking, Norfolk in England in 1845. He was the youngest of three sons. His father, William Smith, was a shoemaker. By 1861, when he was 16, George worked as a railway clerk in King's Lynn.
Serving in South Africa
Padre George Smith first worked as a missionary in South Africa starting in 1870. He is best known for his part in the amazing defence of Battle of Rorke's Drift. This battle happened during the Zulu War between 1877 and 1879. Many officers praised his actions in their reports.
As an assistant army chaplain, Smith was not a combat soldier. This meant he did not fight with a weapon. Instead, he played a very important supporting role. He helped by giving out ammunition to the soldiers. These soldiers were from the 24th Regiment of Foot and were defending the barricades. Even though he was a hero, Smith was not shown in the 1964 film Zulu.
After the Zulu War, people often called him "Ammunition Smith." Because he was a civilian chaplain, he was not allowed to receive a special medal for his bravery. However, he was offered a job as a regular army chaplain, which he accepted.
Later Life and Legacy
After his time in South Africa, Padre Smith served as a chaplain in other conflicts. These included wars in Egypt and Sudan. He also served during the Nile expedition in Egypt.
Padre Smith also worked in many places in the UK. This included Aldershot and the Royal Victoria Hospital. In 1900, he was promoted to Chaplain of the Forces first class. This rank was like being a colonel. He was then stationed at Caterham.
After he retired, he lived in Preston, Lancashire. He passed away on November 26, 1918, due to breathing problems. He was buried in the Church of England plot in New Hall Lane cemetery in Preston. George Smith never married.
How He is Remembered
Padre George Smith is shown in two famous paintings. One is The Defence of Rorke's Drift (1880) by Elizabeth Thompson. The other is a painting with the same name by Alphonse de Neuville. In Alphonse de Neuville's painting, Padre Smith is seen on the right side. You can spot him by his blue uniform and red beard. He is shown giving out ammunition to the soldiers.
Canon William Lummis wrote a detailed book about Smith's life in 1978. It is called Padre George Smith of Rorke's Drift. Smith also appears as a character in the book Flashman and the Tiger. In this story, he is described as a "huge cove" with a red beard.
Today, George Smith is honored at The Museum of Army Chaplaincy.
