Sky Watch Friday - Above and below

A flock of pigeons flying over the Russell Road Cemetary on one of our early morning walks through Richmond Hill.


For those who are interested in history James Langley Dalton, one of the 11 recipients of the Victoria Cross, after the Battle of Rorkes Drift is buried here. The battle at Rorke's Drift, took place from 22 to 23 January 1879, when 139 British soldiers defended a supply station against an about 4,500 Zulu warriors. It was estimated that 500 Zulu worriors died in the battle and 17 of the defenders were killed.

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Apparently the only person who did not think them worthy recipients of the Victoria Cross, was Sir Garnet Wolseley. He felt their survival was not a matter of bravery, and likened their action to fighting for survival like cornered rats. So much for the cynicism of commanding officers - but it was a time when heroes were needed, so his objections went unheeded. On the 22 January 1879 a British column of 1,357 men was over run and wiped out by the Zulu Impis.

Dalton's character also featured in the epic 1966 movie Zulu, which was about the Battle of Rorkes Drift.

In the bigger scheme of things those moments of "glory" are just as fleeting as those pigeons flying by in the first picture.